The Institute of Space Systems in Bremen analyzes and evaluates complex space systems with regard to their technical, economic and socio-political relevance. It develops space applications for scientific needs and implements them in cooperation with DLR institutes, other research facilities and industry. In this context, the Department of Mechanics and Thermal Systems is concerned with the investigation of material aging under space conditions.

As part of a dedicated team, you will support the Department of Mechanics and Thermal Systems with investigation of materials and their aging behavior under conditions such as those prevailing in space missions. You analyze missions with a focus on the radiation environment and the influence of the residual atmosphere in low Earth orbits. You will also evaluate the influence of this environment on the aging of materials and thus support the selection of materials for space missions. You derive test conditions and prepare test campaigns for the experimental investigation of materials in the Complex Irradiation Facility (CIF) and carry them out together with the responsible laboratory head. You will be part of a cross-departmental and cross-institute, multidisciplinary development team.

In detail, your work includes the following tasks: 

• analysis of space missions with regard to the radiation environment in space and the influence of the residual atmosphere in low Earth orbits using common models and platforms such as those of ESA
• definition, preparation and execution of radiation tests as well as further development of test capabilities with the Complex Irradiation Facility (CIF) 
• analysis of aging processes of different materials under space conditions. in the above-mentioned contexts, analysis and evaluation of large amounts of data 
• spectrometric and microscopic analysis of materials, e.g. thermo-optical properties and surface characteristics 
• carrying out simple tensile tests with material samples 
• design and development of our laboratory equipment and test setups 

We offer you a very good working atmosphere in an international environment. Opportunities for professional development (e.g. doctorate) are given and desired.