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 11,000 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!
Req ID: 3422
Place of work: Stuttgart
Starting date: 01.04.2026
Career level: Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment: Part time, Full-time
Duration of contract: 30.09.2026
Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector – Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)
The Institute of Structures and Design works on the development and optimization of materials and their processing and joining technologies, from fundamentals up to the construction of full-scale demonstrators. Part testing and validation in state-of-the-art test facilities, both ground-based and in-flight, are also part of daily work at the Institute. Work is focused on aerospace-grade polymer composites, fibre-ceramics, and other hybrid materials, with researchers employing new multidisciplinary design tools and digital models to support hardware development.
What to expect
The Department of Component Design and Manufacturing Technologies at the Institute in Stuttgart primarily deals with the development, manufacturing, and testing of novel high-performance structures for aircraft engines, aircraft, and land-based vehicles. The focus is on innovative lightweight construction methods for reduced weight, improved performance, increased reliability, and long-term economical manufacturing.
Despite the already extensive use of composite materials in in modern passenger aircraft, an ever-increasing flow of ideas and innovative technologies continues to propel the design and development of components towards improved lightweight solutions. Thermoplastic materials are seeing a particular uptake in interest owing to their favourable rapid-manufacturing and joining properties, not to mention recyclability and production from environmentally friendly raw materials. Certain thermoplastic materials, such as Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), have been used to manufacture composite components for aircraft for decades.
Your objectives
- A review of literature on viscoelastic (time dependent) behaviour and properties of PEEK
- The production of material test specimens with varying degrees of crystallinity in a laboratory setting
- Experimental tests on creep and stress relaxation behaviour as a function of time, temperature, and crystallinity with a suite of thermal characterisation tools; DMA, rheology, and DSC
- Derivation of thermo-rheologically complex material model
Your profile
- Student (f/m/d) in the field of materials science, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or a comparable engineering degree program
- Fluent English
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 3422) please contact:
Sebastian Nowotny
Tel.: +49 711 6862 8001
