Researcher - Raw Materials (all genders)

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, we empower decision-makers from industry, science and politics to shape ideal conditions for technical, organizational and social innovation. Through our scientifically excellent work, we help boost economic competitiveness, drive essential transformations and enhance the resilience of the innovation ecosystem. Our interdisciplinary teams across nine departments in Karlsruhe, Leipzig and Heilbronn are eager to welcome your support. Curious to find out more? When will you be joining us?

The position is in the Business Unit Raw Materials in the Department for Sustainability and Infrastructure Systems and is to be filled as soon as possible. 

What you will do

• You will deal with issues related to the interplay between material flows (from mining to recycling) and sustainability, technology development and security of supply for mineral raw materials, especially metals. 
• You will work in interdisciplinary teams on national and international research and consulting projects for clients from industry (companies and associations), policy (e.g., European Commission, ministries), and research funding (e.g., BMFTR, Horizon). 
• You will support the acquisition of new projects, the execution and documentation of targeted research and analyses, and reporting in third-party funded projects. See for topics and methods. 

What you bring to the table

• Completed university degree (diploma or master's degree) in industrial engineering, engineering, physics, materials science, chemistry, or geoecology 
• Work experience in a scientific context and in the raw materials sector (especially material flow modeling, metal industry, recycling processes) is desirable 
• A systematic yet flexible work style, a high degree of cooperation, strong communication skills, and the ability to document methods and results in a structured and transparent manner 
• Openness to new topics, ideas, and methods, combined with an interest in the interplay between people, technology, business, and the environment 
• Very good written and spoken German or English skills; knowledge of both languages is an advantage 
• In-depth knowledge of MS Office and an affinity for IT are required; knowledge of Vensim, R, SQL, or Python is an advantage.

What you can expect

• Meaningful work: Varied and interesting tasks at the intersection of science, politics, and business, helping to shape the future through research on the major challenges of our time. 
• Excellence with relevance: Unique opportunity to directly apply science of the highest standard in application contexts.
  Active career planning and development: Responsible tasks, scope for your own ideas and personal as well as professional development through goal-oriented further education and career programs, targeted training and coaching. 
• Family-friendly: Good work-life balance, cooperation with childcare facilities close to the institute, services offered for emergency childcare and homecare/eldercare, mobile parent-child office, room for nursing mothers available on site.
• Flexibility: Flexible and remote work within Germany, 39 hrs./week (full-time) and 30 days of vacation.
• Working as a team: Working autonomously as part of a motivated team on challenging projects within an interdisciplinary environment, cooperation across departments, and an informal and friendly working culture.
• Equal opportunities: We practice diversity and therefore promote balanced teams with different genders, ages, cultures, and disciplines.
• High-end equipment: The latest technology at our facilities, accessibility on site, and hardware for remote work.
• Additional benefits: Remuneration based on the TVöD Bund (collective wage agreement for the public sector in Germany) including the social benefits customary in the public sector as well as numerous health- and sport-related offers, the Deutschland-Ticket (job ticket), an in-house canteen, corporate benefits, and an occupational pension scheme (VBL).

The position is limited to 2 years. The weekly working time is 39 hours. This position is also available on a part-time basis. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD). Additionally Fraunhofer may grant performance-based variable remuneration components.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you
 

Frau Nadja Maier, HR Representative
Tel.:

Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI 

Requisition Number: Application Deadline: 11/05/2025