Scientist (f/m/d) Research Lead for Wire-Based Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology; Ranshofen; Vor Ort; EUR 55.000 - 67.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Company benefits

Flexible working conditions

Training and career opportunities

Diversity and inclusion

Zusammenfassung

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in Neukirchen an der Enknach invites applications for a Scientist (f/m/d) Research Lead for Wire‑Based Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).

You will conduct research and project work, supervise interns and students, publish results, and build international collaborations. A PhD in mechanical engineering is required; excellent English is essential and German is a strong advantage.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in mechanical engineering, joining technology, welding technology, materials science, or related field.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English; German skills are advantageous.

Aufgaben

• Conduct research and process investigations in wire-based additive manufacturing using arc/plasma welding processes.
• Design and acquire national/international research projects in WAAM.
• Supervise interns, masters, and PhD students and publish results.

Kenntnisse

Independent work style

Structured approach

Communication skills

Teamwork skills

English proficiency

German language skills (advantage)

Ausbildung

PhD in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

CAD

CAM

Robot programming (ABB/KUKA)

DoE methods

Jobbeschreibung

As Austria's largest research and technology organisation for applied research, we are dedicated to make substantial contributions to solving the major challenges of our time, climate change and digitalisation. To achieve our goals, we rely on our specific research, development and technology competencies, which are the basis of our commitment to excellence in all areas. With our open culture of innovation and our motivated, international teams, we are working to position AIT as Austria's leading research institution at the highest international level and to make a positive contribution to the economy and society.

Our subsidiary, the LKR Light Metals Technologies Ranshofen , draws on many years of experience in the production and processing of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium components and is a leader in the further development of additive manufacturing processes, particularly wire-based additive manufacturing — a key technology of the future for industry. We are the primary point of contact for industrial partners from the automotive, aerospace, space, and rail vehicle sectors across the EU.

To further expand our expertise and adapt innovative welding processes to ensure that the materials used perform optimally and are suitable for specialised applications, we are looking for a new team member at our location in Neukirchen an der Enknach . A core focus of this role is the investigation of innovative welding wire types in combination with adapted and sensor-supported process variants.

Scientist (f/m/d) Research Lead for Wire-Based Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)

• conduct research and process investigations in the field of wire-based additive manufacturing of light metal components using arc or plasma-based welding processes (Directed Energy Deposition arc wire, DED-arc-wire) for novel and improved applications.
• design and acquire new research projects (national / international) in the area of wire-based additive manufacturing and related or corresponding technological topics across various industrial sectors.
• manage national and international cooperation projects (both technical and commercial) and collaborate with project partners from small, medium, and large-scale industries.
• independently plan, carry out, and evaluate experiments, prepare scientific analyses of results, and compile them for documentation and presentation purposes.
• support the acquisition of additional projects with your expertise and know-how.
• publish your research results, either as part of a team or as first author, in scientific journals and participate in conferences.
• supervise interns, master’s, and PhD students.
• leverage your network and offer your perspectives on key challenges to ongoing projects.
• develop into a national and international expert and help position your field at the forefront of international research.

Your qualifications as an Ingenious Partner:

• You hold a PhD in mechanical engineering, joining technology, welding technology, materials science, or a related field
• Experience in the management (technical and commercial), acquisition, and submission of research and development projects
• Expertise in developing test plans for process and material investigations using DoE or similar methods
• Experience in welding technology (IWE, IWT) for light metals (e.g. aluminum, magnesium, titanium) and/or higher-density metals (e.g. steel, nickel-based alloys)
• Experience in robot operation and programming (ABB, KUKA, etc.) as well as in the use of CAD or CAM systems for path planning in wire arc additive manufacturing (WAM) is an advantage
• Programming skills (C++, Python, PLC, or similar) are a plus
• Self‑reliant and structured approach to work, as well as strong communication and teamwork skills
• You have a passion for research and enthusiasm for unconventional solutions, creativity, and possess visionary thinking
• Excellent spoken and written English skills are required; good German skills (spoken and written) are a strong advantage

What to expect:

The minimum gross annual salary according to the collective agreement is EUR 61.334,--. The actual salary will be determined individually, based on your qualifications and experience. In addition, we offer company benefits, flexible working conditions, individual training and career opportunities.

At AIT, we create an inclusive and family‑friendly working environment that promotes equal opportunities and actively strengthens diversity across our workforce and in leadership positions. Among other initiatives, we are committed to increasing the proportion of women in our company and therefore particularly welcome applications from female applicants