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Job Description

Postdoctoral Researcher / Postdoctoral Engineer (m/f/div) for Thermal Structural Analysis

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) as an institute of the Max Planck Society for the Ad­vance­ment of Science (registered association) is one of the leading centers for fusion research and is engaged in developing the physical foundations for a future fusion power plant. The institute is affi­liated to the European Fusion Programme.

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics is looking for an engineer or physicist (m/f/div) with a PhD and a focus on FEM analysis to carry out research work in the “Engineering Analysis” group of the Stellarator Dynamics and Transport Division (E5) at the large-scale experiment Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) at the Greifswald branch.


  • Requirements analysis and development of models for thermal, mechanical, and electromagnetic analysis of primarily in-vessel plant components, structures, and diagnostics
  • Performing thermal, mechanical, and electromagnetic FEM analyses with complex FE models and estimation of operating limits of plant components and structures
  • Evaluation of calculation results using relevant standards
  • Independent processing, evaluation, and documentation of your task results in form of reports, relevant presentations, and descriptions of your models / results
  • Further development and benchmarking of existing global FE models
  • Development and update of specialized auxiliary programs using Python, MATLAB, etc.
  • Publication of highlights of your work in relevant journals / conferences

  • Completed university master's degree and a doctorate in an engineering science (e.g. thermal engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering) or experimental physics or applied mathematics
  • Relevant experience in the use of “ANSYS Mechanical” as well as knowledge of “ANSYS APDL”
  • Application-ready programming skills in Python, MATLAB
  • Very good English language skills for communication in an international team and for presenting complex scientific and technical issues

Your preferable abilities

  • Professional experience in thermal / mechanical structural analyses
  • Experience in the design of fusion equipment and with the materials used there
  • Ability to work under time pressure, on your own, but also in a team
  • Ability to carry out independent research with own innovations
  • Ability to work within and to present to an inter­national team of scientists

  • An interesting research job with challenging tasks at the interface of science and engineering in one of the largest research institutes for fusion research
  • Flexible working hours and conditions
  • Training and opportunities for further education, in particular support from a “PostDoc Career Center”
  • Company pension scheme

The position is available immediately and limited to a duration of two years. The salary is based on the assignment of tasks and qualifications and goes up to pay group 13 according to the Collective Agree­ment for the Public Service (TVöD Bund).

The IPP seeks to increase the proportion of employed women in those areas where they are under­represented and expli­citly encourages women to apply for this position. The IPP is committed to employing more disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

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