TUTECH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hamburg University of Technology and has been synonymous with successful knowledge and technology transfer in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region for more than three decades. The company is active at the interface between universities, research institutions, businesses and the public sector with the goal of profitably connecting entrepreneurial and academic potential and creating lasting value for science, politics, business and society. TUTECH is based in the Harburg upriver port, one of the most innovative, dynamic and rapidly growing high-tech locations in Germany.

To strengthen our team at the Institute for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems, we are looking to appoint a

Research Associate (m/f/o)

on a 4-year limited full-time contract, starting on 01.09.2026

As part of the joint “SANMET project” (Self-configuring Acoustic Network in Concrete and Metal Structures) between TUTECH and Hamburg University of Technology’s Institute for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems, you will be researching novel methods of acoustic communication in metals. This can, for example, ensure that emergency services can communicate during disaster response when conventional radio systems fail.

The Institute for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems is part of the School of Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences and Mathematics (EIM) and researches novel methods, protocols and computer algorithms for low-power and zero-power wireless communication and energy management for regeneratively powered and intermittent devices, with a special focus on smart infrastructure.

Your responsibilities in the project will include:

• Identifying requirements and developing an overall concept
• Designing hardware, setting up and commissioning a software-defined acoustic laboratory demonstrator
• Systematic investigation of the main factors influencing transmission properties in metal structures
• Designing and scientifically investigating various modulation methods
• Conducting experiments using simulation, in the laboratory and under real conditions
• Presenting your results at international conferences

You will bring to the role:

• A completed university degree in a scientific subject, preferably in electrical engineering, computer science or a comparable field
• In-depth knowledge of wireless communication (radio or acoustic)
• Experience of programming embedded systems (microcontroller programming in C/C++)
• An understanding of hardware design using integrated circuits and circuit board design
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Proficiency in written and spoken German (at least B2)

• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team
• A high degree of reliability as well as a willingness to engage in ongoing professional and personal development
• Experience of project management and versioning systems (Git) as well as hardware and software documentation (Doxygen, Javadoc or similar) is desirable
• Knowledge about the propagation and characteristics of acoustic waves would be an advantage

We are offering:

• Employment governed by collective agreement – Collective Agreement of the Federal States (Remuneration EG13 TV-L)
• The opportunity to work as part of a highly motivated team and gain insights into other research projects in related fields
• Flexible and family-friendly working conditions

• The opportunity for further academic study in pursuit of a PhD – not a mandatory requirement
• The opportunity to gain experience of managing staff by supervising undergraduate assistants
• Opportunities for professional and personal development and training

Recruitment is handled by TUTECH. The post is based at the Institute for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems, Hamburg University of Technology, Harburger Schloßstraße 28, 21079 Hamburg, under the academic direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Christian Renner. Please feel free to address any technical questions in advance to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Christian Renner (christian.rennerplace of ATtuhh.de).

Please send your complete application (letter of application, curriculum vitae, university degree(s), degree certificates) as a PDF to bewerbungplace of ATtutech.de.

Personalabteilung Frau Sandra Prahl 040 76629-6740 bewerbungplace of ATtutech.de

Where applicants have the same expertise and suitability, those with severe disabilities and those treat-ed as equivalent will be given preferential consideration, as will women, as they are under-represented in the advertised field. Please be aware that we will store and process your data for the purposes of the application procedure in accordance with GDPR.

TUTECH INNOVATION GMBH Harburger Schloßstraße 6-12 21079 Hamburg

tutech.de