The Martian Mindset Open Idea Competition The Cluster of Excellence “The Martian Mindset” at the University of
Bremen invites outstanding postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines worldwide to apply for independent, full-time postdoctoral positions (up to 36 months). These positions are part of our strategic vision to pioneer new research frontiers for the Cluster and support exceptionally qualified postdoctoral researchers pave the way for the next stages of their academic career. 2 independent postdoctoral researchers (f/m/d) salary scale (German) 14 TV-L, full-time The positions are limited 1.1.2027 – 31.12.2029 (according to § 2 WissZeitVG) The University of
Bremen as an employer With around 20,000 students and approximately 3,500 staff members, the University of
Bremen is a medium-sized university. It ranks among the universities in Germany with the highest levels of external funding and research activity. The Martian Mindset “The Martian Mindset - A scarcity-driven engineering paradigm” is a newly funded Cluster of Excellence established at the University of
Bremen in 2026. Our scientists are developing the “Martian Mindset” in order to rethink the production of materials and components from scratch. The scarcity of resources and extreme conditions on the red planet serve as a setting to develop a new paradigm of sustainability that will lay the foundations for a fossil-fuel-free production of materials and parts from scarce resources in a highly automated and resilient way. More information on the ten research foci, the project leaders are available on our website: https://www.uni-
bremen.de/en/the-martian-mindset The Open Idea Competition The Open Idea program comprises a total of eight postdoctoral positions advertised in four calls (2026 – 2029) with two positions each to start in years 2027 to 2030. We are particularly committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Six of the eight positions will be specifically reserved for researchers from our equity and diversity target groups (women, international researchers, first-generation academics). This initiative reflects our belief that diverse perspectives are essential for transformative research and innovation. By supporting early-career researchers from under-represented groups, we aim to create a more inclusive scientific ecosystem and ensure that the next generation of research leaders reflects the global diversity of talent. We are looking for dynamic and open-minded personalities who enjoy conducting cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary, international, and diverse team. We welcome applications from R21 researchers of all disciplines who have completed their PhD (or will have completed it before the start of the position). Candidates from all countries are encouraged to apply. Your main responsibilities will include We seek bold, original, and interdisciplinary research proposals that push the boundaries of knowledge. The Cluster welcomes projects that: Address fundamental questions and contribute to the long-term vision of The Martian Mindset Substantially extend the research conducted by the Cluster and the host’s group Integrate perspectives across disciplines Explore novel methodologies or challenge established paradigms. Your convincing 3-year research program should demonstrate scientific originality, methodological rigor, feasibility, and potential for high-impact outcomes. Requirements Key Criteria are: A completed academic university degree (Master/University Diploma) in any field relevant to The Martian Mindset PhD degree (or proof of imminent completion) in any field relevant to The Martian Mindset Academic excellence (e.g. outstanding dissertation, prizes, awards, high-impact publications …) Eagerness to contribute to a sustainable human exploration of space and to a green transition on Earth Convincing 3-year research program (see above, main responsibilities) Support from a host from one of the participating institutions (see below) Proficiency in English (written and spoken) It would also be an advantage to have: German language skills Host The successful candidates are expected to carry out their research independently and will become project leaders in the Cluster. They will be hosted by an experienced researcher (R3-R4/2) from the University of
Bremen or one of the Cluster’s participating institutions, who will also become a project leader in the Cluster if they are not already. The hosts need to provide a letter of support which confirms the availability of research facilities and explains how the proposed project substantially extends both the Cluster’s research and that of the host’s own research group. There must be no overlap with current research topics of the Cluster. We offer Career Impact: Your Future, Our Commitment These positions are designed not only to advance groundbreaking research but also to accelerate the career development of early-career researchers. As a postdoctoral researcher in The Martian Mindset, you will: Lead an independent research project with full scientific and budgetary autonomy. Receive personalized mentoring and career coaching. Gain experience in grant writing, team leadership, and public engagement. Benefit from integration into a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community. Get access to state-of-the-art, unique research infrastructure. Be supported in preparing applications for professorships, fellowships, and positions. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders — especially those from underrepresented groups — and ensuring that your time in
Bremen becomes a pivotal step toward a sustained academic career. Funding and employment The grant will include funding for the own postdoctoral position: up to 36 months, TVL 14, full-time (part-time work is generally possible), a basic yearly budget of 10.000 € for travel, student assistants, and consumables. In addition, it is possible to apply for additional funding for project specific expenditures and instrumentation necessary to carry out the project. A condition of employment is that a temporary employment of three years is possible according to the German law on limited-duration employment contracts in science (§2 WissZeitVG). This will be examined by the universities’ human resources department on a case-by-case basis. Do you have any questions? Please join our online information event on June 29th, 2026 (more information online). For general questions about the selection procedure or potential hosts, we warmly invite you to contact our recruiting team via email: martianmindset.applications@uni-
bremen.de. More information about the Cluster’s research foci and project leaders, the qualification concept, as well as the participating institutions is available on the website: www.mars.uni-
bremen.de. Application Applications must be submitted in English by July 31st, 2026. Please send your application by unencrypted email, quoting reference number A109-26 to: martianmindset.applications@uni-
bremen.de. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. If you would like to send your application by post, please contact our recruiting team in advance by email (see above). Application documents Please create one pdf file according to the guideline (template available online) and consisting of parts A to D. Part E and F must be submitted separately: A. Cover page with basic information B. Research Outline (5 pages) C. Appendix to the Research Outline Relevance of the project to ongoing academic and career plans Contribution to The Martian Mindset Rationale for selection of the host Handling of Research Data Supplementary information on the research context D. Attachments Academic curriculum vitae (up to 4 pages), without a picture List of up to five key publications including impact, relevance, and own contribution (up to 2 pages) Supporting letter from a host of one of the participating institutions Agreement signed by candidate and the host Declarations on other submissions, use of AI, data protection E. List of up to five potential reviewers to be submitted as a separate document F. Two expert assessments are to be submitted separately by the assessors. One of them should be your PhD supervisor. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview in September including a public talk, usually taking place on the campus of the University of
Bremen. The final decision is expected in October 2026. If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your documents, or obtained during the selection procedure, will be processed by the participating institutions exclusively for the purposes of the selection process. This explicitly includes passing on the information to the respective hosts, reviewers, and selection committees. General Information At the University of
Bremen, you will benefit from: Support from the Welcome Center of the U
Bremen Research Alliance Annual special payment (“Christmas bonus”), regular collectively agreed salary increases and additional public sector pension scheme (VBL) 30 days of vacation per calendar year Specific offers for gender-equitable career promotion by the Equal Opportunities Office A flexible and family-friendly work environment, with flexible working hours and mobile office options (considering the general conditions) Free social and family counseling services Active company health management including the option of discounts at local sports clubs or for gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS) The option of using a job ticket Varied catering options in the student union canteens University of
Bremen The University of
Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We are committed to implement our diversity strategy at all levels and aim to increase the diversity and variety of perspectives of our employees. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity. International applications are expressly encouraged. We aim to increase the proportion of women and strongly encourage female applicants to apply. Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same. Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of
Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad spectrum of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership. Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our
Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and in the world. 1 Recognized Researchers (R2) according to the EURAXXES research profile descriptors see https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/. For the purposes of the program, you are no longer in an early career phase if you have already carried out projects under your own responsibility, have managed staff or have led a junior research group. 2 Established (R3) or leading (R4) researchers according to EURAXXES research profile descriptors https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/.
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