Practical trainings, student assistants and theses

The Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) pursues the objective of developing innovative technologies for the economy so that mineral and metalliferous raw materials can be made available and used more efficiently and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. Some work in the Processing Department of the HIF focuses on critical metal recovery from primary raw materials through physical separation—particularly flotation.
Within the new Junior Research Group PURE, we are looking for 2 research assistants who'll be working hands-on in our mineral processing laboratories. You will:

• Assist in laboratory work supporting ongoing doctoral research on metal concentration from mining materials
• Contribute to flotation experiments, sample preparation, and precise data documentation
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team; tasks include operating lab equipment, maintaining records, and supporting data analysis
• Hands‑on research experience in a cutting‑edge field essential for the green transition

Initially, we offer a 3‑month contract. Yet there is a perspective for longer‑term involvement—and potentially you could write your thesis at the institute.

• Basic experience in chemical/physical labs
• A structured person, capable of following protocols and documenting their work
• Eagerness to learn and hands‑on mentality
• Digitalization affinity (data handling, basic programming is a plus)
• Role 1: chemistry / process‑engineering background
• Role 2: mechanical‑engineering / electronics background

• Early‑semester graduate students preferred!

• 19h per week
• Starting in November 2026
• Flexible working hours adapted to your study schedule
• The working language is English; German knowledge is beneficial

• Work inside an existing project for investigating and simulating strongly correlated quantum systems.
• Extend an already established method based on tensor networks to other fermonic and spin systems.
• Perform your own numerical calculations and evaluate the resulting data.
• Summarize the results and publish them in a paper and/or present them at a conference.

• Enrolment in physics, chemistry, computer science or a related field
• Interest, enthusiasm and ability to work independently and systematically
• Basic programming skills in Python and first experiences in HPC computing
• Knowledge of the basics of quantum physics and numerical methods
• First experiences in quantum many-body physics and numerical methods for quantum many-body physics desirable

• Working in an international team
• Compensation as a student research assistant (working hours to be agreed)
• Remote work possible; occasional on-site work would be beneficial
• Supervision within an interdisciplinary early-career research group
• Flexible starting date by agreement