Count on us to make it count.
The Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) is a non-university research institute under public law of the state of Berlin, dedicated to interdisciplinary research in applied mathematics and data-driven science. Within the research group Interactive Optimization and Learning (IOL), we are offering a position, starting on October 1st, 2025, for a
Researcher (f/m/d)
on a full-time basis (39,4 hours per week), limited until September 30th, 2027. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary will be based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.
Your tasks
The goal of the BMBF-funded research laboratory MODAL SynLab (see http://www.zib.de/projects/modal-synlab) is the development and implementation of mathematical optimization algorithms for general problem classes, predominantly mixed-integer linear and nonlinear programs, and complex combinatorial structures that are motivated by real-world applications. To this end, we collaborate with partners from academia and industry, with the other MODAL labs, and with developers of state-of-the-art mixed-integer programming software. In conjunction with our own development of the SCIP Optimization Suite our group holds a high level of expertise in computational mathematical research and you can benefit from our modern software development environment and our team-oriented approach to research.
Within this framework, we are seeking to hire a research assistant that is motivated to work towards a PhD degree at one of the Berlin universities. You will collaborate with your supervisors on solving open scientific and algorithmic questions at the frontier of computational optimization.
Your profile
- Excellent Master's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics, computer science, or related disciplines
- Background in linear and mixed-integer programming
- Excellent programming skills in C or C++
- Experience or strong interest in parallel computing or GPU programming (e.g., CUDA, or similar frameworks) is an advantage
- Interest in exploring new research questions and driving their solutions toward practical implementation
- Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration
- Good command of written and spoken English
We offer a friendly work environment with flexible work and meeting times, excellent equipment and a challenging professional environment
as well as
- an active onboarding process to provide new employees with the skills and knowledge that are important to their success in our institute and their careers,
- a varied, future-oriented and responsible field of activity,
- professional training opportunities and support in professional development,
- an additional pension scheme (VBL),
- 30 days annual leave, flexible working hours (flexitime),
- a salary based on TV-L (collective agreement for the public service of the federal states) in accordance with qualifications and professional experience with annual bonus payment,
- capital allowance of up to € 150 per month, or alternatively a BVG job ticket plus the remaining balance,
- the use of canteens and sports programs of the Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) at reduced rates.
Due to our involvement in major regional cooperative projects, such as the Einstein Center for Mathematics (ECMath), the DFG Cluster of Excellence MATH+, the Berlin Mathematical School (BMS) or the Berlin Big Data Center (BBDC), we have close ties to universities and research institutes in the region.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference if equally qualified. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply, since women are under-represented in natural sciences and ZIB seeks to increase the proportion of women in this field.
Please send your complete application including all relevant documents and contact details of two references by September 4th, 2025 (date of receipt), quoting the Reference Number IWA 18/25 as one PDF file to: jobs@zib.de.
For further information about the position, please refer to our website www.zib.de or contact Mexi Gioni (mexi@zib.de).
Our private policy statement regarding application data is available at www.zib.de/impressum.
For further job offers please visit our website at www.zib.de/jobadvertisement.