Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d) – Innovative Process Engineering of Materials for Nuclear Fusion
Your workplace
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Materials Science
The Department of Materials Science was founded in 1966 as part of the Faculty of Engineering and consists of nine chairs with 18 full-time professors and approximately 190 research staff. This gives the department an outstanding position, both nationally and internationally, in terms of its disciplinary breadth.
The department covers the full spectrum of materials and materials science research. Unique to the department is the fact that it has dedicated chairs for all major material classes, and that both scientifically oriented research and the engineering aspects of materials science are represented.

Our benefits

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme
• Excellent support during the academic qualification phase
• Structured doctoral degree programs
• Systematic career development in collaboration with the Graduate Center
• Thorough onboarding process with a dedicated team
• Joint team activities
• Subsidized food and drinks in our student restaurants
• Place of work within comfortable walking distance of public transport
• Family-friendly environment with childcare options, also during school holidays
• Flexible working hours
• A wide range of training courses and opportunities for professional development
• Active health management

Your Tasks
Establishment and leadership of a junior research group
• Development of a new research field
• Acquisition of third-party funding
• Supervision of doctoral candidates, Master’s and Bachelor’s theses
• Participation in teaching
• Participation in academic self-governance

Networking and Knowledge Transfer
• Cooperation and networking, especially with scientific, engineering, and technical research groups in the field
• Participation in the Bavarian Fusion Cluster and the planned Fusion Campus

Your Profile
• Excellent doctorate and proven expertise in the field of materials science and materials engineering
• Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration
• Experience in project work and ideally initial experience in acquiring third-party funding
• Motivation to mentor and support early-career researchers

Supplementary description
At the Department of Materials Science at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, a position for a Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d) – “Innovative Process Engineering of Materials for Nuclear Fusion” is to be filled as soon as possible for a period of six years.
The junior research group is part of the Bavarian State Government’s Master Plan for Nuclear Fusion and the recommendations of the Expert Commission on Nuclear Fusion dated February 11, 2025.

The goal of the junior research group is to investigate new materials and/or material composites for use in nuclear fusion reactors based on innovative process technologies. The focus of material development should be on addressing extreme requirements regarding heat flux, radiation, and/or corrosion. The junior research group will be anchored in the Department of Materials Science at FAU and closely integrated into the Bavarian and international fusion research networks.
You are expected to contribute to the implementation of the Master Plan in research and teaching and to actively participate in the newly established Bavarian Fusion Cluster (BFC). To support you in establishing your own junior research group, we will provide – in addition to your own position (depending on qualification, experience, and job profile up to pay group 15 TV-L) – targeted support in the form of investment funds for building a modern research infrastructure, as well as a position for a research associate for up to six years.

Application deadline

2026-01-19

Title

Junior Research Group Leader (m/f/d) – Innovative Process Engineering of Materials for Nuclear Fusion

Job start date

2026-03-01

Payment

Working time

full time

Weekly working hours

40,00

### Temporary Contract yes

Period of Temporary Contract

72 Months

Further general conditions

Work location

Martensstr. 1
91058 Erlangen

Contact

Prof. Dr. Ing. habil. Carolin Körner
Tel.: +49 9131 85-27528
Mobil:
carolin.koerner@fau.de

Please apply via our online platform instead of sending applications by post or e-mail. Applications sent to us by post will not be returned.

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FAU is a modern, cosmopolitan and family-friendly employer. We welcome your application irrespective of your age, gender, cultural and social background, religion, ideological beliefs, disability or sexual identity. Applicants with a disability or who are considered to be equivalent to people with a disability will be given preference provided their aptitude, performance and capability are essentially the same. We are happy to offer part-time positions, provided a job-sharing arrangement means that the tasks in the area are fully covered.

If you wish, you may invite a person responsible for ensuring equal rights to accompany you to the job interview without incurring any disadvantages.