Program Manager / PhD (m/f/x) - Student & Scientist Programs

Plattnerfoundation; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 68,275 - 102,412; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Up to two remote days per week

30 days vacation + holidays

Employee counseling service

Corporate benefits

On-campus workspace in Potsdam

Job summary

Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) seeks a Program Manager / PhD for Student & Scientist Programs in Potsdam. The role is initially two years full-time and involves leading and mentoring in HPI Engine’s programs.

You will connect academia with startup entrepreneurship and mentor participants through structured learning journeys. The candidate holds a Master’s degree (PhD eligibility preferred) and has startup or VC experience, with fluency in English and German.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business, CS, Economics or Education.
• PhD eligibility required for the role.
• Experience in startup, venture capital, or entrepreneurship education.

Responsibilities

• Inspire founders and researchers to turn ideas into ventures through training.
• Run flagship programs, mentor participants, and shape learning journeys.
• Create practical, high-energy learning experiences for students and staff.
• Bridge research, technology, and entrepreneurship to real-world impact.
• Lead external PhD research alongside program management in a vibrant ecosystem.

Skills

English fluency

German language

Leadership

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

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

Program Manager / PhD (m/f/x) - Student & Scientist Programs

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

• Inspire Future Founders: Empower students and researchers to turn bold ideas into ventures. Build their skills, mindset, and confidence to create and grow startups that matter
• Run Programs: Drive and mentor participants in HPI Engine’s flagship programs, Founder Fundamentals, Product Builder and newly created learning experiences. Guide them through workshops, mentoring, and structured learning journeys
• Shape Learning: Create practical, high-energy learning experiences that prepare participants for the realities of building companies
• Bridge Worlds: Bring research, technology, and entrepreneurship together, turning academic insights into real-world innovation
• Lead & Learn: Combine your external PhD research with hands-on program management in one of Europe’s most vibrant startup ecosystems

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, founded yourself, worked in a Venture Capital firm or bring experience in either innovation or entrepreneurship education
• You are passionate about empowering others and sharing entrepreneurial know-how
• You posses 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)
• 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