Within the framework of its „Menschen - Ideen" programme, the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) establishes junior research groups. In the 2026 call for proposals, BAM is looking for

Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d) for Autonomous Metallurgy

Salary group A 13 BBesO / E 14 TVöD
Official/permanent employment relationship
Full-time/suitable as part-time employment

The position can initially be filled within the framework of an employment relationship. If the personal requirements are met, a later appointment as a civil servant according to pay grade A 13 BBesO is possible.
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (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.
With the “BAM Junior Research Groups”, BAM offers outstanding early career researchers from Germany and abroad the opportunity to set up their own independent junior research group at BAM and establish themselves in the community. A competitive research environment and long-term career prospects offer these researchers attractive conditions at BAM. In addition to the tenured group leader position with optional civil service status, each Junior Research Group includes funding for staff and other costs amounting to up to € 2.5 million for five years.
In the 2026 call, BAM is seeking to establish a Junior Research Group in the field of autonomous metallurgy, with the focus on bulk metallic systems. Proposed activities should center around microstructure-process-property optimization that address safety-relevant challenges in material design and processing. Centered around a processing unit, data-driven materials discovery and optimization is envisioned, which will operate in close contact with the modelling, characterization, and mechanical testing research at the Materials Engineering Department at BAM. Successful candidates are expected to present a research vision with clear problem statements and examples of fundamental and application-oriented research directions. Leveraging automation and data-driven methods to build a fore-front research infrastructure with an emphasis on “process and microstructural informatics” is expected.

Your responsibilities include:

• Establishing an internationally competitive research group in the area of autonomous metallurgy
• Managing and motivating a team of young researchers
• Pursue impactful fundamental and application-relevant research
• Acquisition of third-party funding for research projects
• Publishing of scientific articles and research data
• Expansion of existing and initiation of new cooperation with national and international partner institutions in academia and industry
• Active contribution to the further development of BAM's focus areas
• Contributing to the positioning of BAM as a federal research institution through active participation in national and international scientific networks, advisory boards and standardization bodies

Your qualifications:

• Successfully completed scientific university studies in materials science, materials physics, metallurgy, or an equivalent discipline
• A very good or comparable Doctorate received in the last 2 to 5 years before the application deadline (extensions in cases of childcare)
• Proven outstanding publication record in the relevant research area (process, physical, or mechanical metallurgy)
• International research experience: a continuous research stay abroad of at least one year is expected
• Ideally experience in acquiring and/or leading R+D projects and in supervising junior research scientists
• A competitive research proposal and research group vision
• Fluency in English, in both written and verbal form. In addition, we expect from non-German speaking applicants the willingness to learn German
• Fulfillment of the civil service and career law requirements
• 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

We offer:

• Work in national and international networks with universities, research institutions and industrial companies
• Attractive and modern working environment with excellent infrastructure and equipment on a scientific level state of the art (laboratories, etc.)
• Attractive position at an interface between science, business, politics and administration
• A responsible, interesting and varied job in a competent and collegial environment
• Scope for research and development for your own innovative ideas
• The position can initially be filled within the framework of an employment relationship. If the personal requirements are met, a later appointment as a civil servant according to pay grade A 13 BBesO is possible
• An open welcoming culture, a certified family-friendly working environment, regular feedback meetings and competent contact persons, sustainability (including a subsidy for a job ticket)

Your application:

Junior Research Groups are selected in a two-stage process. In the first stage, candidates submit a short research proposal. Selected candidates are invited in the second stage to submit and orally defend a full research proposal.
For further information on the BAM Junior Research Groups, including a template for the short proposal, please visit https://www.bam.de/Content/EN/Standard-Articles/About-us/Jobs-and-Careers/Young-Science/call-2026-junior-research-groups.html

The deadline for submission of short proposals via the BAM application portal is 31.05.2026. Alternatively, you may submit your application quoting reference number 71/26-5.1 by post to the following address:
Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
Referat Z.3 – Personal
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin
GERMANY
www.bam.de

Further information and contact: If you have any specific questions regarding the 2026 call for proposals, please contact Prof. Dr. Robert Maaß at Robert.Maass@bam.de or Tel: +49 30 8104-1500. For general questions regarding the BAM junior research groups, please email juniorresearchgroups@bam.de or contact Mr. Gunnar Tan at: +49 30 8104-1011.
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.

BAM actively supports the compatibility of work and family and has been certified as a family- and life-phase-conscious employer by the “audit berufundfamilie” since 2015.