Research Associate

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.

The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of 3 years.

The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).

This is a full-time position.

The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).

The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 14 TV-L.

Our Profile

The Institute for Structural Concrete (IMB) at RWTH Aachen University is internationally recognized as a leading research institution in the fields of digital, resource-efficient and automated concrete construction . Key research areas include robotic fabrication processes, carbon-reinforced concrete, prestressing, adaptive construction methods, modular structures, and advanced digital testing and manufacturing technologies.

The IMB is currently establishing DigiFab , a globally unique research infrastructure – a multimodal fabrication system for the digital construction of the future , designed to investigate the digital, serial and automated production of innovative concrete structural elements. DigiFab combines additive, subtractive and assembly processes (extrusion-based 3D printing, shotcrete 3D printing, milling, water-jet cutting, gripping, welding, automated concrete placement and bonded prestressing) and represents a key technological foundation for developing a new generation of resource-efficient structural concrete systems.

The research infrastructure is being developed and operated in close collaboration with the Excellence Cluster EXC 3115 "Climate Neutral and Resource Efficient Construction (CARE)" . DigiFab serves as a central technological platform within CARE and will enable entirely new national and international research initiatives in climate-neutral construction.

Alongside its research mission, the IMB plays an essential role in teaching. Each year, around 1,000 students from various engineering disciplines are educated and supervised.

A completed doctoral degree with distinction in one of the following fields is required:

• Robotics
• Automation / Electrical Engineering
• Production Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering with a focus on digital fabrication
• or a comparable discipline in the natural or engineering sciences

You also bring:

• strong expertise in industrial robotics, motion planning and system integration
• experience in PLC, control and automation systems
• understanding of industrial plant engineering, special-purpose machinery or complex production systems
• ideally, knowledge of digital concrete fabrication (additive and subtractive processes, automated placement, etc.)
• excellent analytical skills, structured working methods and strong technical system understanding
• strong communication skills in interdisciplinary contexts and experience in technical negotiations
• motivation for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation at the interface of civil engineering, mechanical engineering and digitalization
• excellent German and English language skills
• willingness to travel (e.g. to manufacturers, system integrators, research partners)

As a PostDoc, you will assume a key leadership role within the DigiFab project and actively shape the future of digital concrete fabrication.

You will be responsible for:

Scientific and Technical Development

• conceptual design, specification and further development of DigiFab as a multimodal fabrication system
• development of the system architecture (robotics, PLC, actuation, sensing, tooling, portal systems, etc.)
• development of digital twins, simulations and process models

Procurement & Implementation

• planning, organization and execution of the entire procurement process
  
  (requirements specification, tendering documents, bid evaluation, contracting, acceptance procedures, etc.)
• technical supervision of manufacturing, delivery, installation and commissioning
• integration of all subsystems (robots, concrete pumps, laser measurement systems, prestressing units, overhead gantry crane, etc.)

Research & Operational Concept

• development of a comprehensive research, operational and usage concept as well as a safety concept

for DigiFab within the CARE Excellence Cluster
- independent research in the fields of digital fabrication, automation and resource-efficient concrete construction
- publication of results in leading national and international journals and conferences
- supervision of doctoral candidates and research staff

Teaching & Academic Qualification

• delivery of selected courses (typically 4 teaching hours per week)
• supervision of Bachelor's and Master's theses
• further development of digital and experimental teaching formats

Habilitation

Due to the scientific depth, technological novelty and global uniqueness of the research infrastructure, a habilitation is explicitly intended and actively supported .

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.

RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.

As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.

You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at .

EG 14 TV-L