Research Associate
(m/f/d) /
Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in (m/w/d)

Institute Institute of Technical Biocatalysis
Remuneration EG 13  TV-L 
Start of employment October 1st 2025
Application deadline June 5th 2025
Scope part time (75%) and fixed term until September 30th 2029

The Research Training Group 3068, Climate-Informed Engineering, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), is seeking a researcher for an interdisciplinary project on sustainable material innovation. We offer highly motivated students the opportunity to pursue a doctorate as part of a research network in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH).

The Research Training Group is aiming to increase the percentage of women in science. We particularly encourage women to apply. Due to their underrepresentation, they will be given priority in cases of equal suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Our main aim is to integrate cutting-edge climate science into engineering education and practice—preparing the next generation of engineers to create resilient and sustainable technical solutions to face the challenges presented by climate change.

We are looking for a PhD candidate to explore the intersection of climate science, sustainable chemistry, and materials engineering. This project investigates how climate change affects the composition of reneable raw materials - such as ligning, proteins, and lipids - from annual plants and marine macroalgae across different geolocations, with the aim of adapting fractionation proccesses to account for shifts in molecular mass and saturation degree.

YOUR TASKS

• Establishment of analytics for the biochemical characterization of different types of biomass
  
• Characterization of renewable raw materials and investigation of valorization strategies
  
• Development of bioprocesses for the extraction of biopolymers (e.g. ligning, proteins and oils) from biomass
  
• Writing reports and scientific publications, applying for third-party funding and presenting at scientific conferences and congresses
  
• Participation in teaching, supervision of research and final theses (project, Bachelor's and Master's theses)
  

YOUR PROFILE

Requirements

• Completed scientific university studies, in particular in the subject*s biotechnology, bioprocess engineering or related disciplines
  

Required knowledge and personal skills

• Experience on laboratory work
  
• Knowledge in biocatalysis and downstream processing
  
• Experience with analytics and data analysis software
• Enjoy working in an interdisciplinary and international team as well as having an independent way of working
  

OUR OFFER

• a job in an interesting, friendly and appreciative working environment
  
• intensive induction/ onboarding
  
• possibility of mobile working
  
• 30 day vacation per year
• good public transport connections
• company pension scheme, capital-forming benefits
• comprehensive training and further education programs
• internal offers for health promotion
• special conditions in further gyms
  

At the heart of TU Hamburg’s research, teaching and transfer of technology is the guiding principle of developing technology for people. The TU Hamburg sees itself in this context as a family-friendly and sustainable university with high performance and quality standards that strives for excellence in all its research fields. Interdisciplinarity, innovation, regionality and internationality are binding principles in our actions.

With currently around 8.000 students, 110 professors and 1.650 employees, the TU Hamburg is characterised by short decision-making processes and close cooperation between the board, the institutes, the deans of studies, the research areas and the administration. We identify ourselves with a modern leadership culture and cultivate appreciative interaction.

For further information please contact Dr. Ana Malvis Romero, Tel.-Nr. +49 40 42878 2890, Email: ana.malvis.romero@tuhh.de