PhD student (m/f/d)

Division 9.6 - Additive manufacturing of metallic components

To strengthen our team in the division “Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Components” in Berlin-Steglitz, starting 01.01.2026, we are looking for a

PhD student (m/f/d) in the field of mechanical engineering

Salary group E 13 TVöD
Temporary contract until 31.12.2029
Full-time / suitable as part-time employment

The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is a materials research organization in Germany. Our mission is to ensure safety in technology and chemistry. We perform research and testing in materials science, materials engineering and chemistry to improve the safety of products and processes. At BAM we do research that matters. Our work covers a broad array of topics in the focus areas of energy, infrastructure, environment, materials, and chemistry and process engineering.

We are looking for talented people to join us.

Your responsibilities include: Doctoral candidate in the collaboration project (skai)-lab between BAM, BTU and DLR

• Investigation of the degradation behaviour of powder material during powder bed-based laser beam melting (laser powder bed fusion, PBF-LB/M) and the influence of different powder conditions on the resulting component quality
• Development of suitable test specimen geometries and powder analysis methods, creation of test plans and implementation on a PBF-LB/M system
• Development of suitable powder mixing strategies to increase the reuse rate of powder materials
• Development of auxiliary equipment for the artificial ageing of powder materials
• Evaluation of powder and component quality in collaboration with colleagues through comprehensive analyses, including metallography, hardness measurements, tensile tests, EDX analysis, SEM analysis and laser diffractometry
• Establishing correlations between component geometry, built chamber utilisation, thermal history and powder degradation mechanisms, as well as the resulting metallographic findings; deriving recommendations for action
• Publication of results in national and international journals and at conferences and meetings
• Supervision of young researchers (guidance of student assistants and supervision of theses)

Your qualifications:

• Successfully completed academic university degree (diploma/master's) in mechanical engineering with good result
• Good basic knowledge of metallic materials
• Good basic knowledge of powder bed-based additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy
• Very good knowledge of CAD software (ideally experience with NX) and experience in design
• Good basic knowledge of Python
• Proven practical experience in working with PBF-LB/M machines
• Additional practical experience in handling high-temperature heating systems for PBF-LB/M plants is desirable
• Previous knowledge in the field of powder characterisation, e.g. acquired through a thesis or professional activity, is desirable
• Practical experience in working with scanning electron microscopes is an advantage
• Very good written and spoken German and English skills
• Good communication and information behaviour, goal-oriented and structured way of working, initiative/commitment and ability to make decisions, ability to work in a team and willingness to cooperate and willingness to learn

We offer:

• Work in national and international networks with universities, research institutions and industrial companies
• Attractive and modern working environment with excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art scientific equipment (laboratories, etc.)
• Opportunities for internal, interdisciplinary networking and participation in team events
• A responsible, interesting and varied job in a competent and collegial environment
• Support for seminar papers and theses

Additional information on the (skai)-lab project are Available at https://www.b-tu.de/en/graduiertenkolleg-skai-lab.

Your application:

We welcome applications via the online application form by 09.12.2025. Alternatively, you can also send your application by post, quoting the reference number 213/25-9.6 to:

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
Referat Z.3 - Personal
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin
GERMANY
www.bam.de

Mr Mohr will be glad to answer any specific questions you may have. Please get in touch via the telephone number +49 30 8104-4865 and/or by email to Gunther.Mohr@bam.de.

BAM promotes professional equality between women and men. We therefore particularly welcome applications from women. At the same time, we strive to reflect social diversity. Every application is therefore welcome, regardless of gender, cultural or social background, religion, ideology or sexual identity.

In addition, BAM has set itself the goal of promoting the professional participation of people with severe disabilities. The fulfillment of the job requirements is considered on an individual basis. Severely disabled persons or persons of equal status will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.

The advertised position requires a low level of physical aptitude.