Head of Division "Polymer Analysis" (m/f/d)

Salary group B 1 BBesO (Director and Professor)/non-tariff remuneration
Official/permanent employment relationship

The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is dedicated to safety in technology and chemistry. As a federal scientific and technical authority headquartered in Berlin, we make an important contribution to the protection of people, the environment, and property through research, testing, and consulting. As a federal research institution, we combine science with impact and help ensure that innovations are safely implemented in practice.

The Polymer Analysis Section in Department 1, “Analytical Chemistry; Reference Materials,” develops and validates methods for characterizing synthetic polymers and their additives, as well as their aging and degradation products. The focus is on multimodal mass spectrometric and chromatographic techniques, combined with spectroscopic and thermal methods. The division investigates structure-property relationships in polymeric materials, with a particular focus on material durability, recyclability, and sustainability. With the support of data-driven and AI-assisted methods, the division aims to study mass-produced plastics, bio-based and biodegradable polymers, recyclable polymer networks, as well as micro- and nanoplastics. The division’s findings are incorporated into reference materials, standards, and policy advice.

We offer:

• Exciting and diverse responsibilities in a dynamic, forward-looking field at the intersection of science, industry, and politics

• The freedom to strategically shape the scientific direction of the division, with a particular focus on digital transformation, automated analytics, and data-driven processes

• An attractive and modern work environment with excellent infrastructure and state-ofthe-art instrumentation (laboratories, BAM Data Store, high-performance computing, etc.)

• Opportunities to collaborate in national and international networks with universities, research institutions, and industry

Join our team of dedicated leaders.

Job-ID: J000000269
Einsatzort: Berlin
Organisationseinheit: Präsident
Tätigkeitsbereich: Science/Research
Art der Anstellung: Vollzeit oder Teilzeit

Your responsibilities include

• Strategic, personnel, and technical leadership and professional development of an interdisciplinary and highly qualified team of approximately 10 employees and early-career researchers

• Development and validation of multimodal mass spectrometric and chromatographic characterization methods for polymer analysis, as well as the development and implementation of data-driven and AI-supported methods for the automation, evaluation, and interpretation of analytical data

• Providing guidance and support, as well as independently securing funding, managing, and carrying out national and international research projects funded by third-party grants, particularly in collaboration with partners from the business sector

• Further development of reference materials, reference methods, and interlaboratory tests for polymer analysis as a means of transferring scientific knowledge into practical applications

• Ensuring equitable personnel development and implementing BAM’s equality goals while taking diversity and anti- into account within the area of responsibility

• Active participation in the team of division heads in Department 1, "Analytical Chemistry; Reference Materials," as well as actively shaping change processes and contributing to the technical and strategic advancement of BAM's focus areas, particularly Chemistry and Process Engineering, Environment, and Materials

• Positioning BAM as a government research institution through participation in national and international standards-setting bodies, advisory boards, and scientific networks, as well as through science-based policy advice

Your qualifications

The following are mandatory requirements:

• A completed academic degree (master of science, diploma, or an equivalent foreign degree) in a field of natural sciences or engineering, as well as a successfully completed doctoral degree

In addition, we expect:

• Above-average academic performance at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, preferably in the fields of chemistry, polymer science, or materials science

• Additional scholarly achievements in the field of analytical chemistry, particularly in polymer analysis, demonstrated through a habilitation or in the context of a junior professorship, a tenure-track or associate professorship, leadership of a young researchers’ group, or a comparable scholarly position at a university, research institution, or in industrial research

• Several years of independent research in polymer analysis using modern analytical methods, such as mass spectrometric, chromatographic, spectroscopic, or thermal techniques, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications of high quality and visibility in which the applicant served as

first or corresponding author

• Demonstrable experience in independently securing and managing externally funded research projects with partners from academia and industry, including scientific project management

• Experience in standardization, interlaboratory testing, or the development of reference materials, as well as in committee work, rulemaking, and policy advising, is an asset, as is involvement in scientific networks

• Experience in the academic and personnel management of a research group or a group of early-career researchers, or an interdisciplinary team; experience in mentoring early-career researchers

• Strong expertise in gender equality, diversity, and anti- , as well as a willingness to familiarize yourself with the relevant legal frameworks (including the BGleiG and AGG)

• Business-level English proficiency and good German language skills (at least B2 level) or a willingness to acquire these skills within two years

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-oriented management style

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, combined with strong decision-making abilities

• Analytical, strategic, and creative thinking skills

• High degree of flexibility, resilience, and personal initiative

• Team-oriented work ethic with excellent communication behaviour, high reflectivity and willingness to act in a service-oriented manner

• Initiative/commitment, willingness and ability to make decisions, goal-oriented and structured way of working, onceptual, strategic and innovative thinking skills and assertiveness/negotiating skills

Unsere Benefits

• Extensive, cross-vocational continuing and professional education options

• A diversity-oriented work environment that actively promotes equal opportunity, where different perspectives are valued and individual potential is nurtured

• Flexible working hours

• Work in national and international networks with universities, research institutions, and industrial companies

• Possibility of mobile working

• Attractive and modern working environment with excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art scientific equipment

• Work-life balance

Your application

We welcome applications via the online application form by 31.12.2026. Alternatively, you can also send your application by post, quoting the Job-ID to:

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
Referat Z.3 - Personal
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin
GERMANY

In your application, please list the five scientific works you consider most important (publications, but also, for example, software, datasets, standards, or reference materials) and briefly explain the significance of each and your own contribution.

BAM promotes professional equality between women and men. Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in the field relevant to this position. Qualified female researchers are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. At the same time, we strive to reflect social diversity. Every application is therefore welcome, regardless of gender, cultural or social background, religion, ideology or identity.

In addition, BAM has set itself the goal of promoting the professional participation of people with severe disabilities. The fulfillment of the job requirements is considered on an individual basis. Severely disabled persons or persons of equal status will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.

Further information :

Applicants who meet the prerequisites will generally receive a salary according to BesGr. B 1 BBesO. A promotion according to BesGr. B 2 BBesO is possible at a later date provided that the applicant is suitably qualified, competent and performs professionally within the framework of the available pos(...)

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