Work group:
IAS-9 - Materials Data Science and Informatics
Area of research:
Diploma & Master Thesis
Job description:
Your Job:
In this master’s thesis project, you will focus on the application of visual foundation models for the automated analysis of grain growth in nanocrystalline metals imaged by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This work aims to segment and track evolving grain boundaries using state-of-the-art unsupervised segmentation models, such as MatSAM, and to relate structural evolution to physical mechanisms of grain growth. Key responsibilities include:
* Implementing and optimizing segmentation pipelines based on MatSAM and other vision foundation models for high-resolution TEM video frames
* Performing frame-to-frame tracking of grain boundaries to quantify grain boundary migration and morphological evolution
* Analyzing how initial texture, grain size, and growth conditions (thermal vs. stress-driven) influence grain evolution
* Communicating results and contributing to collaborative research with partners at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Your Profile:
* Completed Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Materials Science, or a related field
* Strong programming skills in Python, ideally with experience in image processing and deep learning using PyTorch or similar frameworks
* Familiarity with computer vision techniques; experience with segmentation, tracking, or video analysis is a plus
* Basic understanding of materials microstructures, grain growth, and electron microscopy would be a plus
Our Offer:
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:
We work on highly relevant innovative topics and offer you the possibility to learn actively shape the change. Here is what we offer you:
* Intensive supervision of your thesis by an research employee
* Excellent technical equipment and the newest technology
* The chance to independently prepare and work on your tasks
* An exciting work with personal responsibility in the research field of machine learning for material sciences
* Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research with potential for publication
* Flexible working hours and a collaborative, inclusive work environment as well as a reasonable remuneration
* A creative working environment in a leading research institution, located on an attractive research campus of TZA Aachen go.fzj.de/TZA
In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at FZ Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: go.fzj.de/benefits
Place of employment: Aachen
As a student working on your thesis, you will be employed as a student assistant for the purpose of preparing or writing a master’s thesis, or within the framework of a German state examination. Remuneration depends on whether you already have a degree and on your weekly working hours. The duration of the contract depends on the requirements of the university and may not exceed 12 months. To apply, please submit a complete CV, letter of motivation, university degree records and certificates. Please note that we can only accept applicants who conduct their Masters Degree at a German University.
We particularly welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds (e.g. regardless of age, gender, disabilities, sexual orientation/identity, as well as social, ethnic, and religious background). We strive to offer a diverse and inclusive working environment in which people enjoy equal opportunities and are able to fulfill their potential.
Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: go.fzj.de/equality
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany