Stellenticket Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

1. Head of the Chemical Invention Factory (CIF) at TU Berlin
In cooperation with the Berlin Senate, TU Berlin is currently building a state-of-the-art laboratory and start-up centre. This Chemical Invention Factory will provide the necessary, chemistry-specific infrastructure for successful technological developments and the resulting innovations. From 2027, the CIF will be the striking and future domicile of the technology transfer and spin-off teams for green chemistry in a central location on the main campus of TU Berlin. Until the construction of the CIF is completed, the INKULAB will be available as a laboratory infrastructure on the main campus of TU Berlin. The management task includes the supervision of the construction project from a user perspective, the management of the transition from INKULAB and CIF as well as start-up activities defined for INKULAB and CIF, including the employees assigned to this in the CIF.

2. Coordination of the „greenCHEM“ joint project
TU Berlin is responsible for coordinating the joint project (T!Raum) called ‘greenCHEM’, which is being run by the FU Berlin, HU Berlin and TU Berlin as well as over 25 other partner organisations. The aim of the greenCHEM project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is to develop the leading innovation ecosystem in the field of green chemistry. In particular, successful start-ups and technology transfer projects in green chemistry are to be stimulated and supported at very early stages of development. In addition, so-called transfer formats will be developed and trialled in the areas of teaching and further education specific to chemistry. greenCHEM also has the ambition to strengthen the industrial innovation potential in green chemistry and to underpin decisions on green chemistry in politics and administration. Finally, the topic of ‘green chemistry’ is to be communicated to a broad public and the society for green chemistry is to be activated.

greenCHEM is located at the interface between the Institutes of Chemistry of the three universities and Science & Startups, the joint start-up service of the TU, HU and FU. The topic-specific transfer space complements the excellent basic research established at Berlin's universities in the field of chemistry and sustainability. This includes in particular the focus on ‘catalysis’ - one of the core topics of green chemistry - represented by the ‘UniSysCat’ Cluster of Excellence.

In addition to the coordination of greenCHEM with responsibility for results and the management of the CIF, the following specific tasks are part of the advertised position:

• Coordination of the greenCHEM team at the three universities with currently approx. 12 employees (full-time equivalents)
• Management of the CIF team with currently 1.5 employees
• External representation of greenCHEM and the Chemical Invention Factory as well as the associated goals and activities
• Further development and strengthening of activities to achieve the objectives of greenCHEM and CIF, in particular the significant expansion of successful start-ups and technology transfer projects in the field of green chemistry
• Securing an economically viable business model, including the acquisition of industry and third-party funds to finance further activities
• Expanding and maintaining contacts with potential founders and investors, the chemical industry, national and international partners and funding organisations as well as relevant units of TU Berlin, the partner universities and the Berlin University Alliance (BUA)
• Regular and close cooperation with the ‘Innovation Center’ at TU Berlin, Science & Startups at BUA and other transfer units in all matters of technology and knowledge transfer
• supervision of the construction work on the CIF building until completion and ensuring implementation of the relevant requirements from the user's perspective
• Acquisition of cooperation partners within the scope of equipping the CIF
• Ensuring the operation of the INKULAB until the opening of the CIF

• Successfully completed university degree in natural sciences, engineering or economics (Master's degree, diploma or equivalent, ideally with a specialisation in chemistry), doctorate is desirable
• Experience in advising and incubating start-ups and the resulting network of relevant investors and academic partner organisations
• Experience and success in acquiring industry and/or third-party funding
• Experience in setting up chemical or similar laboratories, including design and equipment. Contacts already established with potential co-operation partners with regard to technical equipment are also welcome
• Knowledge of university structures and management experience at the interface between the university and the relevant environment
• Skills and experience in the personnel management of differently qualified employees
• Very good knowledge of written and spoken German and English

Desirable:

• Decisiveness and innovation paired with a professional communication style as well as moderation and conflict resolution skills
• strong skills in interacting with industry and university representatives and founders

What we offer:

• unique opportunities for shaping the development of this innovative initiative in an important and current subject area
• a modern workplace at the central campus of the TU Berlin in Charlottenburg, one of the largest interconnected inner-city university campuses in Europe
• close collaboration with excellent chemistry, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation management researchers as well as other transfer-relevant working groups of the TU Berlin. Connection to an internationally recognized research landscape for the implementation of innovative ideas in technology-based new businesses
• a well-maintained and growing network of companies, sponsors, alumni, etc.
• access to a wide range of opportunities for further training and career development
• a "family-friendly university", which makes special efforts to reconcile work and family life

Please send your application with the reference number and the usual documents by email (single pdf file, max. 10 MB) to Dr. Lars Merkel, institut@chemie.tu-berlin.de. Applicants are requested to make themselves available for an initial interview, which will be conducted online, on 17 June 2025.

By submitting your application via email you consent to having your data electronically processed and saved. Please note that we do not provide a guaranty for the protection of your personal data when submitted as unprotected file. Please find our data protection notice acc. DSGVO (General Data Protection Regulation) at the TU staff department homepage: https://www.abt2-t.tu-berlin.de/menue/themen_a_z/datenschutzerklaerung/.

To ensure equal opportunities between women and men, applications by women with the required qualifications are explicitly desired. Qualified individuals with disabilities will be favored. The participating institutions value the diversity of their members and are committed to the goals of equal opportunities. Applications from people of all nationalities and with a migration background are very welcome.