Job talks

You can find details about the job talks here.

OHB

OHB SE is divided into three business segments: SPACE SYSTEMS, AEROSPACE and DIGITAL. In total, the Group employs over 3,000 people at 15 locations. OHB SE's largest subsidiary, OHB System AG, with its headquarters in Bremen and a further strong location in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, has more than 40 years of experience in the development of high-tech solutions for space travel and other fields of application. OHB Digital Connect is the largest subsidiary in the Digital segment. With almost 300 employees, it is active at six German locations as well as in Luxembourg and Chile. Its core business is the connection between the ground and space through ground stations for satellite applications and radio and optical astronomy.

DLR

The many different institutes and administration parts of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) offer a wide range of career opportunities for young scientists. I will exploit the career opportunities available in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. Especially, I will present two options in active research and research administration, the DLR institute of Planetary Research and the German Space Agency.

DLR is leading many groundbreaking projects, like the ESA space mission Plato. This offers passionate young scientists to engage in astrophysical research, instrument development for space missions, and data analysis from satellite observations. Researchers at DLR can participate in the frontier of space exploration, lead their own initiatives, and collaborate in international partnerships. Beyond space science, DLR covers research in aviation, energy, transportation, and security, driving innovations in these critical fields. These sectors present career opportunities, enabling young scientists to contribute to advancements solutions for global challenges.

The German Space Agency plans, funds, and coordinates Germany's space exploration, aligning national and international goals. It offers opportunities to work in research administration, focusing on tasks such as planning and funding scientific programs, shaping the strategic direction of space research, and managing the interface between science, politics, and industry.

Stiftung Planetarium Berlin

From star to science theatres – observatories and planetariums as hubs of modern science communication

The Stiftung Planetarium Berlin (SPB) brings together four of Berlin’s major astronomical institutions - the Archenhold Observatory, the Wilhelm Foerster Observatory, the Planetarium am Insulaner and the Zeiss-Großplanetarium - under one organizational framework. As a unique cultural and educational foundation, it operates at the interface of science, communication, and public engagement, reaching over half a million visitors annually. This talk explores how astronomers can actively shape science communication and public education through professional careers outside traditional academic pathways. Drawing on the foundation’s diverse programmatic work - ranging from live shows and exhibitions to citizen science, teacher training, and media production - I will outline the variety of roles astronomers can take on: as science communicators, content developers, program curators, educators, and institutional leaders in planetariums and science centers. Particular attention will be given to the competencies needed in this field, how they relate to typical research training, and how early-career astronomers can prepare for such trajectories. The Stiftung Planetarium Berlin will serve as a case study for how astronomers can find meaningful, stable, and creative employment at the intersection of scientific rigor and public relevance.