Research Associate (f/m/x) - Software Engineering & AI

Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Digital Engineering gGmbH; Potsdam; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work up to 2 days/week

Employee counseling service

Corporate benefits

Sports facilities

Job summary

Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam invites applications for a Research Associate (f/m/x) in Software Engineering & AI. This full-time, fixed-term position supports research, teaching, and collaboration in a human-centered software engineering setting with AI components.

The role includes conducting empirical studies, developing prototypes, teaching about software engineering and AI, and contributing to grant applications. Start date as soon as possible with interviews in Nov/Dec 2026.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, AI, data science, or a related discipline.
• For a postdoctoral position: a completed doctorate in a relevant field.
• A very strong interest in research and teaching.
• Advanced knowledge of software engineering and/or AI engineering, strong analytical skills, and a good understanding of modern software technologies.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong work ethics and an independent, reliable, and adaptable approach to work.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a diverse international team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, publish, and review cutting-edge research on software engineering, AI engineering, requirements engineering & design, user-developer-AI collaboration, feedback systems & AI, software comprehension & cognition, or creativity engineering, a.o.
• Develop software prototypes and carry out evaluation and feasibility studies
• Design and conduct empirical studies, including data collection and analysis
• Teach courses related to Software Engineering and AI, with a teaching load of about four teaching hours per week during the teaching period
• Participate in local and international events and help organize some
• Help develop and maintain the research group’s infrastructure
• Contribute to applications for external research funding

Skills

English proficiency

Research interest

Teaching interest

Analytical skills

Independent working

Collaborative skills

Education

Master's degree in CS/AI/DS

Doctorate (for postdoc)

Job description

HPI is recognized as one of the leading university institutes for computer science ( www.hpi.de ). Our goal is to strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty with excellent research and practice-oriented teaching in computer science. At HPI, we are convinced that excellence is created when knowledge from different disciplines is collaboratively combined to create responsible and pioneering solutions for the future.
In our research clusters "Systems," "Data and AI," "Foundations," "Digital Health," "Security," and "Business and Society" researchers from various disciplines work together on topics relevant to solving the challenges facing society. The Digital Engineering Faculty of the University of Potsdam and HPI offers a computer science engineering degree program that is unique in Germany.

In the course of its strong growth, the Hasso Plattner Institute is looking for the earliest possible start date for a

Research Associate (f/m/x) - Software Engineering & AI

PhD or postdoctoral position | Full-time | Fixed-term

About our research group

Our research, teaching, and technology transfer focus on human-centered software engineering with and for AI. We develop and evaluate methods and techniques that help people design trustworthy software, support human and critical thinking, and create societal value. We aim to train and inspire future digital leaders.

Your responsibilities

• Conduct, publish, and review cutting-edge research on software engineering, AI engineering, requirements engineering & design, user-developer-AI collaboration, feedback systems & AI, software comprehension & cognition, or creativity engineering, a.o.
• Develop software prototypes and carry out evaluation and feasibility studies
• Design and conduct empirical studies, including data collection and analysis
• Teach courses related to Software Engineering and AI, with a teaching load of about four teaching hours per week during the teaching period
• Participate in local and international events and help organize some
• Help develop and maintain the research group’s infrastructure
• Contribute to applications for external research funding

Your profile

Required qualifications

• A master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, AI, data science, or a related discipline, with a very good academic record
• For a postdoctoral position: a completed doctorate in a relevant field
• A very strong interest in research and teaching
• Advanced knowledge of software engineering and/or AI engineering, strong analytical skills, and a good understanding of modern software technologies
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong work ethics and an independent, reliable, and adaptable approach to work
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a diverse international team

Additional skills and experiences that would be an advantage

• Data analysis and empirical research methods
• Industry or open-source experience
• Teaching experience, for example as a tutor or teaching assistant
• Experience in academic research and scientific writing

What we offer

• Excellent network of leading international scholars and organisations in software engineering and AI
• A first-class, active and inspiring research environment with highly motivated and skilled students
• The opportunity to contribute impactful research
• Regular team events and workshops
• For problems of any kind (including those in your private life), you can use our external employee counseling service free of charge
• Attractive employee offers (corporate benefits)
• Possibility to work remotely (up to 2 days a week)
• Numerous sports facilities (tennis and basketball courts, beach volleyball court, calisthenics park, and participation in running events)
• Workplace on the HPI campus in Potsdam-Babelsberg (Griebnitzsee S-Bahn station), with fast transportation connections to Berlin

by November 16th 2026.

The start date will be as soon as possible, and interviews will be conducted in November and early December 2026.

Contact person HR-Recruiting

Contact Research Group

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