TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university, focusing on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. The Cluster of Excellence "Responsible Electronics in the Climate Change Era (REC²)" addresses the key challenge posed by the ubiquitous use of electronics, which leads to an enormous resource and energy consumption and the generation of electronic waste. REC² establishes the scientific foundation for the electronics of the future, including new material platforms, component concepts, and integrated systems that enable the realization of responsible electronics in an ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable manner.
In a range of research and academic programs, REC² unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences, and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature not only of the Cluster, but also of TUD, facilitating interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, TUD offers attractive working conditions to all employees in teaching, research, technology, and administration. The goal is to promote and develop their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. For TUD, diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who are committed to contributing their achievements and productivity to the success of the entire institution.
At the Faculty Environmental Sciences, Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy, the Cluster of Excellence REC² offers, subject to the availability of resources, a position as
Research Associate (m/f/x) (subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L) starting as soon as possible. The position is limited to 3 years, with a possible one-year extension and comprises 75% of the full-time weekly hours. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position aims at obtaining further academic qualification (usually PhD).
Tasks:
The scope of responsibilities includes independent scientific research on life cycle assessment, other environmental assessment methods and recycling indicators for the project "RAP5 (Responsible Aim Program 5) – Pre-design – Predictive Device Design" as part of the Cluster of Excellence "REC²: Responsible Electronics in the Climate Change Era." The project focuses on the responsible handling of used and recovered materials at the end of the service life of electronic devices. The aim is to develop forward-looking design rules and design-for-recycling (D4R) principles for various electronic devices. The device architecture should take a forward-looking and proactive approach to recycling and be developed in collaboration with device development experts using innovative engineering-based life cycle assessment approaches. This is a temporary position. If further third-party funding projects are successfully acquired, there is the possibility of extending and increasing this position. Long-term collaboration is desired. Exchange and collaboration with a diverse team of scientists from the REC² cluster, particularly in the fields of sustainability/natural sciences/engineering/social sciences.
Requirements:
a university degree (e.g. Master’s) in circular economy/waste management/technology, industrial engineering, environmental engineering, corporate sustainability management, or a related field excellent written and spoken German and English language skills knowledge about environmental impact assessment using established and new methods (especially life cycle assessment, LCA) and recycling technologies is required we would also appreciate your willingness to get involved in the operation, construction, and conversion of test facilities
We offer: You will join a team of enthusiastic scientists who pursue creatively their individual research agenda inspired by the cluster’s innovative approach and support. Your PhD research will be fostered by the REC² philosophy to promote aspiring researchers, which includes:
access to state-of-the-art research of leading academic institutes possibility to apply for GreenRiskFunds to pursue your own high-risk/high-gain research ideas possibility of exchange with partner institutions in the Global South promotion of gender equality and a family-friendly work environment supervision via a dual supervision concept, including a structured PhD project plan, international exchange, and a dedicated Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) mentorship via the REC² mentoring board
TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.
Please submit your detailed application (in English only) with a motivation letter, CV, copy of degree certificate, transcript of grades (i.e. the official list of coursework including your grades), and proof of English language skills by January 8, 2026 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal by sending it as a single pdf file to iak@mailbox.tu-dresden.de or to:
TU Dresden, REC², Prof. Christina Dornack, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.
Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: .
Company
TU Dresden
Excellence – A matter close to our hearts
Excellence? Elitism? Opportunity or risk? The Excellence Programme, initially launched in 2005 by the German government has aroused passionate debate right from the start and still has the potential to polarise opinion.
TU Dresden (TUD) looks at it this way: excellence is all about performance and having the right attitude. For everyone here at TU Dresden – one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany since 2012 – it is also a matter very close to our hearts. Firstly because of the extra motivation and impetus generated, and secondly, because of the way we handle this role.
Our vision for the future can be summed up as follows: “Let us become one of the leading centres for research and teaching, with our own individual character and a special talent for networking, able to attract the best minds in Germany and from further afield.” After all, it is a well-known fact that excellence in research and teaching presupposes excellent conditions. Or, to put it figuratively, for excellent crop yields, you need the right soil and weather.
TU Dresden is a comprehensive university with 18 faculties and works in close collaboration with its top performers: three Clusters of Excellence, including the “Centre for Tactile Internet” (CeTI), the Cluster “Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter” (ct.qmat) and the Cluster “Physics of Life” (PoL). The guiding principle here is that strong individual elements become even stronger when they work together.
The vision for the future takes this principle beyond the confines of the university: with the research network DRESDEN-concept ( D resden R esearch and E ducation S ynergies for the D evelopment of E xcellence and N ovelty), TU Dresden has been creating an alliance of research and cultural facilities in the city, an “excellent playground for excellent people”. This bond is unique in Germany and has evolved over many years. It is not necessary to create anything new here, as it is simply a matter of building further storeys on top of an already solid structure. The measures envisaged as part of the DRESDEN-concept contribute to the overall development of TU Dresden and form an integral part of the university strategy.
Excellence is understood and practised in Dresden as an opportunity for the entire university, and in this spirit, TU Dresden takes those measures that lead to excellence – by the university, for the university – in cooperation with colleagues here and all over the world. But at the same time neither elitist nor exclusive. TUD’s excellence comes from the heart – from and for our about 32,400 students, 600 professors and about 8,400 members of staff. In this way, excellence becomes the basis, the objective, the approach and the driving force. And that’s why being a top performer can also be so rewarding and enjoyable.
Campus Image © Nils Eisfeld
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Location
Dresden
01069 Dresden
Germany