Online since 2025-03-12Position as Automation Software Engineer (m/f/d) – Pilot Project Orchestration Software
Deadline
31.03.2025
Start of work
as soon as possible
Working time model
Full time
About us
The Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) aims to reimagine the chemical industry as sustainable and resilient. Divided into 5 interconnected thematic areas; Automation & Standardization, Data-driven Chemistry, Recycling, Renewable Feedstocks, and Societal-Environmental-Economic Metrics (SEEM); the CTC has identified strong pillars to guide its scientific efforts towards the transformation of chemistry.
The CTC Science Team is currently planning multiple pilot projects and looking for ambitious people taking the lead.
As an Automation Software Engineer (m/f/d) - Pilot Project Orchestration Software, you will play a pivotal role in a software development project within a partner team at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI). The project will focus on the co-development of a general orchestrator program for automated experimental chemistry. The successful candidate will be embedded in the Automated Chemistry Team at the MPICI, supporting the CTC. The CTC strives to be a reference in the context of autonomous experimental research, and the Automated Chemistry group is involved in the CTC’s endeavors to normalize computer-control investigation and support laboratory work with programable machines.
You will support the CTC from the MPICI in an exciting phase of its development when you have ample opportunities for skills improvement and professional growth. The CTC scientific team is located approximately 30 minutes from Leipzig and Halle (Saale) in Leuna, while you will work at the MPICI in Golm 30 minutes from Berlin.

Your tasks and qualifications

• Contribute hands-on to the software development of a general orchestrator for automated experimental devices, emphasizing on a graphical user interface that facilitates the programming experience.
• Cooperate with the partner teams by proactively offering and implementing solutions and contributing to set priorities.
• Interact iteratively with the CTC and MPICI’s scientists to define the users’ requirements and develop general solutions.
• Contribute to deploying and maintaining the automation architecture at the CTC and the MPICI.
• Keep pace with emerging technologies and best practices in software engineering and contribute proactively to the continuous improvement of the automation architecture and associated software, such as Chemotion ELN.

Your profile

• Successfully completed degree (at least a Master’s, ideally PhD) in Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Computational Sciences, or related fields.
• Previous hands-on working experience (minimum 3 years) as a software engineer, software developer, or similar role, preferably in automatic control of experimental devices.
• Adequate programming skills (Python and LabView) are essential.
• Knowledge of computer and lab hardware interface and software implementation is needed.
• Willingness to learn new tools and technologies as required.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders.

What we offer

• The opportunity to perform your research at what will be the largest research center for chemical research in Europe.
• Benefit from a large network: Meet and work with top experts from academia and industry.
• Competitive compensation according to TVöD-Bund up to E13 depending on the candidate’s qualifications.
• Partial compensation of Job Commute Ticket.
• Comprehensive social benefits, including 30 days of vacation per year, annual special payment, and additional pension scheme (VBL).
• Term-limited position until the 31st of December, 2025 allowing for fresh perspectives in terms of contract extension after 2025.

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.
The position is available starting immediately after the offer is awarded.
To apply for the position of Automation Software Engineer (m/f/d) at the CTC in, please submit your CV and a concise overview of relevant experience via our online application management tool.

• Contribute hands-on to the software development of a general orchestrator for automated experimental devices, emphasizing on a graphical user interface that facilitates the programming experience.
• Cooperate with the partner teams by proactively offering and implementing solutions and contributing to set priorities.
• Interact iteratively with the CTC and MPICI’s scientists to define the users’ requirements and develop general solutions.
• Contribute to deploying and maintaining the automation architecture at the CTC and the MPICI.
• Keep pace with emerging technologies and best practices in software engineering and contribute proactively to the continuous improvement of the automation architecture and associated software, such as Chemotion ELN