◼ Research Field
  - Materials science. Failure mechanisms of advanced semiconductor devices using in situ electron microscopy

◼ Required Research Field of Study
  - Materials Science

◼ Description of Research Activities During the Program
  - Conduct mechanical testing on the semiconductor devices. Operating advanced electron microscopies

◼ Research Equipment or Software to be Used
  - Python (optional)

◼ Website
  - http://iam.kit.edu/mmi/

◼ Research Field
  - Urban and peri-urban forests (UPFs) are essential for human well-being, and the WHO (UN) considers UPFs as critical infrastructure in a post-Covid society. However, the health of trees in UPFs and the provision of ecosystem services from urban forests are threatened by the effects of climate change and urbanization. The person will be involved in the ongoing URBORETUM project.

In the URBORETUM project, we aim to uncover the ecological processes associated with the decline in tree health in urban forests and the provision of ecosystem services in different types of UPFs. We also aim to quantify the impact of UPFs on human brain functions and psychological well-being and improve current urban forest management practices by translating research findings into practice. In the process, we will develop a modern, technology-based, socially accepted, and cost-effective urban forest inventory system.

The URBORETUM project comprises a diverse transdisciplinary consortium. The research work is divided into a total of five work packages, which are managed independently by each partner.

The TreeEcos work package, led by the “Sylvanus” research group at the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), focuses on investigating the changing structure and composition of urban forests. This involves examining how the availability of nutrients, light, and water influences the ecological processes of trees.

The TreePulse work package, also based at KIT, is concerned with combining functional ecology and remote sensing. It examines the health of individual tree species in urban areas and investigates how the vitality of trees decreases under drought conditions. In addition, an irrigation experiment is carried out in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Horticultural Office to show how to optimize the irrigation of urban trees in order to reduce the decline in tree health caused by drought.

As part of the TreeCare work package, dendroecological studies are carried out at the University of Freiburg, including analysis of the isotopic composition of dendrochronological cores. This allows to draw conclusions about physiological processes in trees during or after extreme climatic events.

The TreeNeuro work package, led by the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, is dedicated to identifying critical factors of urban forests and their influence on the well-being of city dwellers. It also investigates the individual mental and physiological benefits of urban trees and the underlying neural and physiological mechanisms.

Our municipal partner, the Horticultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe, supports the research in the URBORETUM project with its own work package (TreeCityKA).

In addition, URBORETUM is accompanied by own work packages (TreeInspect and TreeTwin) of two leading companies in the field of wood and tree analysis and digital urban forestry. The intern will be involved TreeEcos, TreePulse, and TreeTwin.

Project website: https://www.urboretum.de
Research group “Sylvanus – Increasing resilience and reducing trade-offs during urban and peri-urban forest transformations” (SYL) website: https://www.itas.kit.edu/english/rg_syl.php

◼ Required Research Field of Study
  - Background in the field of environmental or natural sciences such as Geography, Geoecology, Biology, Environmental sciences and engineering, or relevant studies

◼ Description of Research Activities During the Program
  - Assist in exploring trade-off analysis of urban forestry scenarios, focusing on cultural, regulating, supporting, and provisioning ecosystem services.
  - Support GIS-based spatial analysis (ArcGIS Pro) for mapping and preliminary calculations of environmental benefits under different planting strategies.
  - Contribute to linking digital twin concepts with climate adaptation and urban planning frameworks, under guidance from the research team.
  - Provide assistance in organizing data for statistical analysis (R/SPSS) to evaluate stakeholder preferences and integrate findings into decision-making frameworks.

◼ Research Equipment or Software to be Used
  -  Microsoft 365: Excel, PowerPoint, Word
  - Statistical Analysis: SPSS, R (if applicable)
  - GIS & Environmental Tools: ArcGIS Pro, i-Tree Eco (if applicable)
  - greehill urban forest digital twin platform (if applicable)

  ※ any specific requirements or important information
      - Preferred start date: August 2026 (negotiable).

◼ Website
  - https://www.itas.kit.edu/english/

◼ Research Field
  - KIT is one of the largest research institutions worldwide and provides access to state-of-the-art research facilities. The Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT) is part of the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering. The research team is highly international, and English is used as the primary language for both oral and written communication.

IAMT contributes to addressing key societal challenges through research that spans from membrane material development to the application of membrane processes for water treatment. The scope of scientific activities focuses on the removal of micropollutants from water (e.g., steroid hormones, PFAS, herbicides, inorganic contaminants, and nanoplastics). A core challenge at IAMT is managing small sample volumes, large numbers of samples, and the extremely low concentrations of micropollutants remaining after treatment. Extending solution chemistries from synthetic to real waters at environmentally relevant concentrations represents a significant achievement of the institute.

The IAMT laboratories are equipped with multiple state-of-the-art filtration systems ranging from laboratory to full-scale modules. A wide range of membrane processes is available, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and electrodialysis, as well as reactive membrane techniques such as adsorption, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, complemented by batch experiments.

Moreover, the institute is equipped with a comprehensive suite of high-quality analytical tools for the quantification of micropollutants at trace levels typical of natural water matrices. These include LC-OCD/OND, FFF, ICP-MS, GC-MS, IC, UHPLC, LC-MS/MS, TOC analyzers, and methods for detecting radiolabeled micropollutants at concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/L. The coupling of selected analytical techniques enables a fundamental understanding of solute–solute interactions during membrane transport, as well as in-depth elucidation of adsorption and degradation mechanisms.

In addition, IAMT offers extensive facilities for material characterization (TGA, SURPASS, contact angle measurements, membrane stability testing, accelerated aging, impedance spectroscopy, and SEM sample preparation) and membrane fabrication (doctor blade, coagulation bath, electrospinning, and dip coating).

IAMT also integrates membrane technology with renewable energy in collaborative projects, developing mobile, robust systems designed for autonomous operation in rural areas and developing countries, which are field-tested in various regions, including Africa.

At IAMT, we train ambitious researchers in a first-class research environment with modern, well-equipped laboratories. We offer students career-oriented training through innovative, interdisciplinary research; we teach advanced scientific expertise and methods; and we share our passion for solving real-world problems.

◼ Required Research Field of Study
  - Candidates should be enrolled in a studies program in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or an equivalent field. Applicants should be naturally curious, eager to learn, and strongly motivated to conduct research.

While we welcome students from a broad range of related disciplines, we expect commitment, a willingness to learn, and active engagement in the opportunities offered at IAMT. A basic understanding of water chemistry, water treatment processes, and membrane technology is considered an asset. Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English and a proven ability to learn and work independently. Familiarity with OriginLab (for data analysis and graph preparation) and EndNote (for literature management), as well as an interest in contributing to the preparation of a scientific publication, will be considered advantageous.

The examples of Master Projects are:
1) Steroid hormone micropollutant removal with nanofiber−nanoparticle composite membranes
2) Fate of nanoplastics in membrane processes
3) Urea degradation via membrane photolysis
4) Steroid hormone micropollutant degradation by photocatalytic membrane reactors

More info: https://www.iamt.kit.edu/118.php

◼ Description of Research Activities During the Program
  - The type and number of experiments depend on the specific project and are defined in a concept note prepared prior to the start of the project. Projects at IAMT typically include around 50 planned experiments, developed in consultation with the supervisors (postdoctoral researchers).

 A comprehensive literature review on the topic will be conducted. The student will be responsible for performing laboratory experiments (and sample analyses in specific cases), maintaining accurate lab records, identifying and labeling samples, analyzing results, and performing meaningful error analysis. The obtained results will be critically analyzed, summarized in the concept note, and regularly presented during individual and group meetings to discuss findings and address any challenges encountered during the research process.

◼ Research Equipment or Software to be Used
  - The specific research equipment will depend on the individual project; however, a broad range of advanced experimental techniques is available at IAMT. These include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and electrodialysis, as well as reactive membrane processes such as adsorption, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, complemented by batch experiments. Students receive comprehensive training on all instruments relevant to their research and have continuous access to supervision and technical consultation. Samples collected during the project are typically analyzed by supervising postdoctoral researchers, while students are actively involved in sample preparation and preliminary analyses. Experimental setups at IAMT are equipped with LabVIEW software for automated data acquisition, and OriginLab software is used for data analysis and graph preparation.

※ any specific requirements or important information

  - At IAMT, students are offered a structured masterclass that develops key research skills essential for their work. The course covers topics such as filtration protocols, error analysis, introduction to analytical methods, data visualization and graphing, as well as research integrity and good scientific practice. The preparation of a scientific publication may be considered if the student makes a significant academic contribution to the project. Authorship decisions are made collaboratively within the supervisory team, in accordance with institutional guidelines. All research data generated during the project remain the intellectual property of IAMT and may not be published, shared, or transmitted to third parties without prior written approval from the Institute Director.

◼ Website
  - https://www.iamt.kit.edu/

◼ Research Field
  - The research field is "Materials Tribology". About 23 % of humanity's energy usage is wasted overcoming friction forces. We therefore strive to develop alloys which lead to less friction and wear and thereby will drastically reduce CO2 emissions. In order to be able to do so, we have to understand how metals and alloys react to a frictional load. We do so by performing elementary friction experiments, mainly on copper and copper alloys, and then have a detailed look at the changes to the materials by high-resolution electron microscopy.

◼ Required Research Field of Study
  - Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Solid State Physics

◼ Description of Research Activities During the Program
  - Sample preparation
    Frictional testing
    Microscopy of the worn surfaces, including high-resolution profilometry
    Perhaps electron microscopy

◼ Research Equipment or Software to be Used
  - Metallographic grinding and polishing machines
    White-light profilometer
    Reciprocating tribometers
    optical mircoscopy
    Perhaps DualBeam focused ion beam and scanning electron microscope

     ※ any specific requirements or important information
        - An open mind and an eagerness to learn.

◼ Website
  - https://www.iam.kit.edu/zm/index.php

◼ Research Field
  - autonomous driving, cooperative systems, robotics, vehicular communications

◼ Required Research Field of Study
  - computer science, human factors, robotics

◼ Description of Research Activities During the Program
  - Participation in ROBOT POLICEMAN project

◼ Research Equipment or Software to be Used
  - humanoid robots, bicycles, cameras, radars, lidars, traffic lights

◼ Website
  - https://cas.aifb.kit.edu/