Program Manager / PhD (m/f/x) - Founder Programs

Plattnerfoundation; Germany (OH); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Employee counseling service

Corporate benefits

30 days vacation

Various sports facilities

30 days vacation

Job summary

A leading European university institute is seeking a passionate individual to empower tech founders through incubation programs. This role involves guiding early stage ventures, providing mentorship, and connecting teams with a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Candidates must have a Master's degree and experience in startups or education. This position offers a competitive salary, flexibility, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment. Join a community at the intersection of tech and research, while also pursuing an academic career. This role also allows for remote work up to two days per week.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) required.
• Experience in startup or entrepreneurship education is preferred.
• Passion for empowering others in entrepreneurship.

Responsibilities

• Support founding teams in turning validated ideas into ventures.
• Lead HPI Engine’s Incubator Program for Founders.
• Design structures that help teams move from validation to first customers.
• Link founders with mentors and integrate them into the ecosystem.
• Combine PhD research with startup incubation work.

Skills

Entrepreneurial judgement

Mentorship

Venture building

Problem validation

Fluency in English

Competence in German

Education

Master’s degree in Business, Computer Science or related fields

PhD eligibility

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

The position is initially limited to 2 years and full-time.

HPI Engine is the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the Hasso Plattner Institute, one of Europe’s leading hubs for digital entrepreneurship. With 300+ founders, 450+ startups, and over €1B in raised capital, we enable tech innovators to turn ideas into impactful ventures through education, mentorship, and community. Together with HPI Ventures, we support startups from first idea to global scale.

Your Role

• Empower Founders: Support committed founding teams in turning validated ideas into early ventures. Strengthen their entrepreneurial judgement, execution capability, and founder mindset
• Run the Incubator: Lead and shape HPI Engine’s Incubator Program for Founders. Guide teams through intensive mentoring, milestone-driven progress, and hands-on venture building
• Enable Execution: Design and oversee structures that help teams move fast — from problem validation to first customers, MVPs, and go-to-market learning
• Connect the Ecosystem: Link founders with mentors, experts, alumni, and partners, and actively integrate them into the broader HPI Engine and startup ecosystem
• Build While Researching: Combine your external PhD research with hands-on startup incubation work, operating at the intersection of research, technology, and venture creation

Your Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business, Computer Science, Economics, Education, or related fields (PhD eligibility required)
• You worked in a startup or bring experience in either innovation or entrepreneurship education
• You are passionate about empowering others and sharing entrepreneurial know-how
• You possess a strong sense of ownership, organization, and initiative
• You are fluent in English and confident in German

What we offer

• The best of both worlds: grow your academic career while driving real-world impact
• Direct access to founders, investors, and the broader startup ecosystem
• Competitive salary, flexible hours, and up to two remote days per week
• A vibrant community at the intersection of tech, research, and entrepreneurship
• 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)
• 30 days of vacation plus two additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
• 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

We look forward to receiving your application documents including salary requirements. Please apply exclusively via our career page.

Contact person HR-Recruiting