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Master's Thesis (f/m/d): Development of a Modeling Concept for Structural Optimization
Job Description
Req ID:  4342
Place of work:  Jülich
Starting date:  01.06.2026
Career level:  Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment:  Part time
Duration of contract:  6 Monate

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 12,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The Institute of Future Fuels conducts research on processes for the production of climate-neutral energy carriers, with a particular focus on syngas production from CO₂, water, and renewable energy. A central research focus lies on thermochemical processes, reactor concepts, and efficient heat integration as a basis for sustainable fuels.

 

What to expect
Thermochemical redox cycles represent a promising approach for the solar-driven production of syngas from CO₂ and H₂O. The redox structures employed significantly influence volumetric radiation absorption, reaction kinetics, mechanical stability, as well as the resulting syngas yield and overall process efficiency.
Systematic, simulation-based and holistic approaches for the evaluation of such structures enable targeted optimization. Within an interdisciplinary team, you will contribute to the conceptual and methodological development of a simulation-based optimization framework for redox structures. You will receive individual onboarding and thereby contribute to the development of more efficient receiver–redox structures.

 

Your tasks

  • Structured analysis of the current state of research (overview of structural concepts, identification of structure-related limitations, and derivation of key relationships between structure, radiation, heat transfer, kinetics, and mechanics)
  • Methodological development of a modeling concept for structural optimization (multiphysics: radiation, heat transfer, kinetics, thermomechanics)
  • Development of schematic model structures and representative calculation examples
  • Optimization of a parameterized design
  • Detailed analysis of dependencies between different Parameters

 

Your profile

  • Master’s studies in mechanical engineering, chemical/process engineering, materials science, energy engineering, physics, computational engineering, or a related field
  • Strong interest in thermochemical energy systems, structural design, and additive manufacturing
  • Basic understanding of heat and mass transfer, reaction kinetics, mechanical material behavior, as well as modeling and numerical simulation (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS, Python)
  • Structured and analytical working style with enthusiasm for systematic concept development
  • High degree of independence
  • Good communication skills
  • Very good command of English, both written and spoken

 

Depending on qualifications and assigned tasks, up to pay grade 5 TVöD (German public sector pay scale).

 

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

 

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 4342) please contact:

 

Dr. Kristina Lampe

Tel.: +49 2461 93730 158