Modern // regional // industry-oriented: The Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences (Technische Hochschule Brandenburg, THB) is a young and dynamic university with approximately 3,200 students enrolled in 26 study programmes across the Departments of Computer Science & Media, Engineering, and Business Administration, located in the city of Brandenburg an der Havel — directly at the doorstep of Potsdam and Berlin. As a family-friendly university on a green campus, we offer attractive working…
conditions.
Within the Department of Engineering, as part of the research project DaHKIZ (Data-based Holistic AI-supported Civil Engine Development), the following position with the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree is to be filled at the earliest possible date, initially limited until 30 April 2029: in cooperation with Rolls-Royce Dtl.
Research Associate (f/m/d)
Research focus: AI-based design of engine architecture
Salary group: E 13 TV-L
40 hours/week
Reference number: HAP5
Your area of work:
The focus of your work lies in the industrial research: AI-based design of engine architecture. You investigate efficient and physics-informed ML/AI strategies for the preliminary design of engine concepts, in particular the semantic integration of the "Preliminary Engine Architecture" tool and the GTlab framework for Large Language Models (LLMs), as well as multi-agent architectures for the automated synthesis and evaluation of design workflows. As customer inquiries for new propulsion concepts require the rapid, integrated evaluation of very large and complex data sets from preliminary design tools, AI methods shall make new technically feasible and requirement-compliant engine concepts quickly accessible.
Your main tasks include:
- AI-supported component selection: investigation and preparation of existing data sets for automated preliminary design, generation of missing data, and provision of a database suitable for ML/AI evaluation.
- AI-supported evaluation and automated analysis of engine concepts: investigation of ontology-based metadata models for the machine-readable description of model structures, workflows and parameter dependencies, as well as a multi-agent architecture (LLMs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, function calling to GTlab).
- Robust processes in engine design: investigation of data-driven and AI-supported methods for identifying robust starting solutions with high convergence probability, enabling a more efficient preliminary design.
- Application & validation: transfer of the investigated strategies to exemplary use cases in overall engine design and integration of the AI-supported methodology into GTlab.
- Publication: you prepare scientific publications and present the results at international conferences.
Access and application requirements:
- Successfully completed academic university degree (Master's or University Diploma) in a relevant discipline (Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or similar).
- Sound knowledge of the fundamentals of Machine Learning, as well as of engine or system design, or of semantic data modelling.
- Confident use of Python or equivalent
- Very good English language skills, both written and spoken (level C1), for the preparation of international publications.
In addition, the following would be welcome:
- Practical experience with deep-learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow) and knowledge of working with Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) or multi-agent systems.
- Experience in preliminary engine design, with the GTlab framework or comparable simulation-based design environments, as well as in the conception of software plug-ins.
- Knowledge of ontologies, semantic model representation or machine-readable descriptions of engineering models.
- Good German language skills (level B2) are desirable; for international applicants, we support the acquisition of these skills within the first 18 months.
Our offer to you:
THB is a reliable employer that supports its staff with a wide range of benefits and services:
- company pension scheme, annual special payment and capital-forming benefits
- good public transport connections, monthly subsidy for the public transport job ticket
- university canteen directly on campus
- attractive further education and training opportunities
- corporate health management
- flexible working hours, 30 days of annual leave (based on a 5-day week), day off on 24 December and 31 December
- use of the university library
- Family and Social Services (compatibility of work and family life)
- long-term, secure personal and professional prospects at a modern workplace
The university expressly encourages qualified women to apply. In the event of equal aptitude, qualifications and professional performance, applications from persons with recognised severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration. Please indicate any severe disability already in your application. The HR Department (+49 3381 355-113, leitung-pvo@th-brandenburg.de) and the Equal Opportunities Officer (+49 3381 355-443, gba@th-brandenburg.de) are available for consultations regarding individual questions. For further information, please also see https://www.th-brandenburg.de.
For further information on the advertised position, Prof. Flassig is available by email at flassig@th-brandenburg.de. For questions regarding the application process or for any other support, please feel free to contact Ms Peters by email at doreen.peters@th-brandenburg.de.
Please apply by 22.10.2026 via our online application portal, quoting the reference number listed above.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Where to apply
Website: https://www.th-brandenburg.de/stellenausschreibungen/
Requirements
Research Field: Physics » Other — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Aerospace engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Information science » Other — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent
Languages: GERMAN — Level: Good
Research Field: Physics » Other, Engineering » Aerospace engineering, Information science » Other — Years of Research Experience: 4 - 10
Additional Information
Benefits
- company pension scheme, annual special payment and capital-forming benefits
- good public transport connections, monthly subsidy for the public transport job ticket
- university canteen directly on campus
- attractive further education and training opportunities
- corporate health management
- flexible working hours, 30 days of annual leave (based on a 5-day week), day off on 24 December and 31 December
- use of the university library
- Family and Social Services (compatibility of work and family life)
- long-term, secure personal and professional prospects at a modern workplace
Website for additional job details: https://www.th-brandenburg.de/stellenausschreibungen/
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Technische Hochschule Brandenburg
Country: Germany
City: Brandenburg an der Havel
Postal Code: 14770
Street: Magdeburger Straße 50
Contact
City: Brandenburg an der Havel
Website: http://www.th-brandenburg.de/
Street: Magdeburger Straße 50
Postal Code: 14770
E-Mail: doreen.peters@th-brandenburg.de, flassig@th-brandenburg.de
Phone: 03381355134