Vacancy Notice 170/2025
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) is an internationally oriented and regionally networked university with a strong research profile.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering seeks to fill the following vacancy at the Institute for Engineering of Products and Systems:
Research Associate (m/f/d) as part of the project AuRa HWB
Salary scale:
13 TV-L
13 TV-L
Date commencing:
01.08.2025
01.08.2025
Fixed term (until):
31.12.2025
31.12.2025
Contract status:
100 %
100 %
We are a university with a focus on engineering and natural sciences as well as economics, human sciences and medicine. We offer excellent study and working conditions to 13,000 students from Germany and abroad as well as approx. 3,000 employees.
The project AuRa HWB addresses two critical barriers to integrating automated driving systems into cargo bikes: the lack of market-ready actuator components (brakes, drives, steering) and the challenge of sensor integration. Building on successful field trials from previous projects in street cleaning and facility management, the project develops a modular hardware architecture and detailed specifications to enable scalable, safe, and automated cargo bike operations. The goal is to create a transferable technology platform that paves the way for commercial deployment from 2027 onwards.
Job description:
As part of the HWB team, you will be responsible for the software-side development of the product architecture. In particular, your tasks include:
- Deriving and managing system and software requirements
- Ensuring the software’s certification readiness based on applicable norms and standards
- Collaborating with hardware developers and external industry partners
You will play a central role in shaping the software architecture and its certifiability – from concept to implementation.
Requirements profile:
We are looking for someone with a strong technical background and a structured, self-driven work style, ideally with experience in an industry setting:
- a master's degree
- solid experience in C++, Python, Matlab/Simulink and the ROS2 framework
- familiarity with Windows and Linux-based systems and development workflows
- knowledge of software safety, certification processes, and relevant standards
- experience with requirements engineering and version control (Git, CI/CD)
- background in automated and autonomous driving systems
- strong communication skills in English or German (basic German skills are helpful)
Your benefits:
- challenging tasks with real-world impact: contribute to shaping the future of urban mobility
- significant freedom to organize your work and explore technical ideas beyond rigid product cycles
- close collaboration with a dynamic tech start-up and strong prospects for technology transfer
- opportunities for visibility and growth through publications, patents, or conference participation
- a flexible, research-oriented work environment with flat hierarchies and space for long-term thinking
The position is part of a long-term research initiative; a follow-up phase and contract extension are planned. For further information about the position, please contact Mr. Malte Kania at: malte.kania@ovgu.de.
You will benefit from our structures and offerings in the fields of sustainability, diversity, family support and staff development. Our location in the center of a thriving, lively and family-friendly state capital guarantees a high quality of life and a wide range of leisure activities. For more information, please visit www.ovgu.de/en/karriere.
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg is a signatory of the German Diversity Charter. We welcome your application, regardless of gender, cultural and social background, age or sexual orientation. Applications from severely disabled people or people with an equivalent impairment will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional expertise. Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg strongly promotes gender equality in all professional areas.
Please note the information for storage of personal data: https://www.ovgu.de/unimagdeburg/en/data_protection-p-66790.html
Please send your complete application (motivation letter, curriculum vitae, graduation certificates, references) by
July 04, 2025 using the online application portal.
Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
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