[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Master Thesis (d/f/m) Investigation of Flammability Indices Correlations between Microscale Combustion Calorimeter and Standardized Aircraft Test Methods","description":"

Job Description:

In order to support the Fire Safety Engineering & Testing department, Airbus Defence and Space is looking for a

Master Student (d/f/m) Investigation of Flammability Indices Correlations between Microscale Combustion Calorimeter (MCC) and Standardized Aircraft Test Methods

You are looking for a master thesis and want to get to know the work of Airbus? Then apply now! We look forward to you supporting us in the Fire Safety Engineering & Testing department as a Master thesis student (d/f/m)!

Location: Bremen
Start: October 2026
Duration: 6 months

Background

Evaluating material flammability and heat release in the aviation industry traditionally relies on established, macroscopic standardized test methods. However, addressing material obsolescence or minor formulation changes using these methods can be highly resource-intensive and logistically challenging. To address this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation research groups have been actively investigating the use of the Microscale Combustion Calorimeter (MCC). Operating at the milligram scale, the MCC is envisioned as a potential screening tool to streamline material obsolescence evaluations.

A key hurdle in implementing the MCC for these scenarios is understanding how small-scale thermal decomposition data relates to standard macroscopic flammability benchmarks. It is critical to determine under what combustion regimes and for what material types these methods correlate, as well as where the physical limitations of the small-scale tool lie. This project focuses on evaluating the feasibility of establishing these correlations to understand how and if such a methodology can be effectively implemented for future material screening.

Aim

The main objective of this project is to explore and define empirical and physical correlations between test data obtained from the MCC and classical standardized aerospace flammability methods. Bridging fundamental fire science with actual laboratory data, the student will aim to:

Identify specific material families and combustion regimes where MCC indices correlate with full-scale standard metrics.

Map out the limitations of these correlations, defining when macroscopic scale-effects or complex physical interactions cause the relationships to diverge.

Support the definition of a structured methodology and baseline evaluation framework for small-scale screening tools.

Methodology

The project merges experimental laboratory work with analytical and data science approaches:

Experimental Testing: The student will perform flammability characterizations on a designated selection of aerospace materials using the MCC. Where deeper insight into macroscopic burning behavior or fundamental mass loss rates is needed, complementary tests using the Mass Loss Calorimeter (MLC) will be integrated.

Data Science & Statistics: Utilizing MATLAB or Python, the student will manage, aggregate, and analyze test indices, applying statistical methods to discover mathematical correlations.

Fire Science Integration: Numerical and statistical conclusions will be cross-analyzed using core principles of fire science (e.g., pyrolysis kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer) to ensure that the correlations found are physically meaningful and scientifically sound.

Your location

Bremen is a charming city full of history in the northwest of Germany. In addition to being one of the country’s greenest cities, it offers wonderful sights, a rich culture, urban flair and culinary delights. It’s also a great place for seaside lovers, being located just an hour’s drive from the North Sea coast.

Your benefits

Attractive salary and work-life balance with a 35-hour week (flexitime).
International environment with the opportunity to network globally.
Work with modern/diversified technologies.
At Airbus, we see you as a valuable team member and you are not hired to brew coffee, instead you are in close contact with the interfaces and are part of our weekly team meetings.
Opportunity to participate in the Generation Airbus Community to expand your own network.

Your tasks and responsibilities

Formulating test plans for small-scale material screening.
Executing flammability tests (MCC & MLC) in the Airbus Fire Test Lab.
Analyzing experimental data using Python or MATLAB.
Developing correlations between microscale and standard flammability metrics.
Documenting and reporting results in technical reports and your thesis.

Desired skills and qualifications

Enrolled full-time student (d/f/m) in Materials Science, Aerospace, Chemical/Process, Combustion, Mechanical Engineering or Fire Safety Engineering.
Initial practical experience in fire testing, thermal characterization, or lab work.
Basic programming knowledge in Python or MATLAB.
Basic understanding of thermodynamics, combustion or material science.
Fluency in English (German language skills are a plus).

Please upload the following documents: cover letter, CV, relevant transcripts, enrolment certificate.

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth.

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Operations GmbH

Employment Type:

Final-year Thesis

-------

Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

Support to Management <JF-FA-ES>

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

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It is among Germany's leading universities in terms of third-party research funding and research performance. The Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) is a scientific institute in the Department of Production Engineering – Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering – at the University of Bremen. It is an internationally recognised research center, widely known for its 150 m high drop tower. Over 100 scientists, engineers, technicians, administrative staff and students from the departments of Production Engineering, Physics and Information Technology work in the fields of fluid mechanics, space technology and space sciences.\n\nThe project:\n\nThe project is funded by the European Research Council and the researcher recruited for the advertised position will be involved in ERC project “MarCyano”. This project stems from a goal, shared by the world’s major space agencies, of sending humans to Mars within the next few decades. A sustainable human presence there, akin to today’s presence in Antarctica, could indeed generate paradigm-shiftiing knowledge at an unprecedented pace. One major challenge lies in providing the food, oxygen and other necessary consumables: these cannot be shipped from the Earth over the long term. They should instead be produced on site and for this, Nostocaceae cyanobacteria can be instrumental: fed with materials available in the Martian ground and atmosphere, they could provide feedstock for a range of bioprocesses which, in turn, could produce a wide range of consumables. However, fundamental knowledge is lacking to turn this concept into practical solutions: the physiology of cyanobacteria in the foreseen cultivation conditions is poorly understood. These conditions combine low total pressures, low partial pressures of dinitrogen, interactions with a basaltic substrate from which nutrients are leached, and high concentrations of chaotropic salts.\n\nIn project MarCyano, our team enables a deep understanding of cyanobacterial physiology in these conditions. For this we employ a unique approach combining cultivation assays in unique hardware previously developed in-house, adaptive laboratory evolution, cuting-edge “omics” technologies, the development of a mathematical model which can predict the productivity and efficiency of cyanobacterium cultivation from Martian resources, and the construction of a testbed for the experimental validation of this model. We will use the generated knowledge and tools to design, characterize and demonstrate the viability of bioprocesses which dramatically improve the odds that Mars exploration is done in a sustainable way. Finally, we will adapt the concepts developed for bioproduction on Mars to open new avenues for sustainability on Earth.\n\nYour main responsibilities will include:\n\n• Conceiving photobioreactor hardware for cyanobacterium cultivation on Mars.\n\n• Developing a mathematical model for the growth of cyanobacteria within this hardware.\n\n• Conducting, and analyzing the results of, experiments aimed at beter understanding the behavior of cyanobacteria in the conditions expected during their cultivation on Mars.\n\n• Designing and building a testbed (with support from ZARM engineers) based on the conceived hardware.\n\n• Using the testbed to refine and validate the developed model.\n\n• Contributing to routine laboratory tasks (e.g., maintaining microbial cultures).\n\n• Contributing to the training and mentoring of less experienced students.\n\n• Elaborating your own scientific work, such as preparing a doctoral thesis and scientific publications.\n\nWhat you bring\n\n• A successfully completed university degree (Master's degree or equivalent university diploma) in Biology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics. Applications are also welcome from candidates who are in the final stage of their Master's degree. Please note that submission of the Master's degree certificate is mandatory before employment can begin.\n\n• Experience in bioprocess modeling and hardware development.\n\n• Good writen and spoken English proficiency (minimum CEFR B2).\n\n• The ability to work independently and enjoy working as part of a team.\n\nKnowledge of German is not required.\n\nWhat we offer\n\n• Depending on your qualifications and experience, a gross annual salary under the TV-L collective agreement ranging from €57,112 (Pay Level 1) to €81,176 (Pay Level 6) for a full-􀆟me posi􀆟on.\n\nThe University will determine your individual pay level based on your relevant professional experience if you are offered the position. Your pay level also determines additional benefits, such as the annual special payment (\"Christmas bonus\") and any opportunities for salary progression within the advertised pay grade. Salary classification is based on the applicable provisions of the TV-L collective agreement, in particular Section 16 TV-L. For civil servants, remuneration is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Bremen Civil Service Salary Act.\n\n• For employees in the public sector, an additional occupational pension scheme (VBL).\n\n• 30 days of annual leave per calendar year (based on a five-day working week).\n\n• A diverse, forward-looking, and open organizational culture.\n\n• Support from a friendly, motivated team with a positive working atmosphere.\n\n• A structured onboarding process.\n\n• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.\n\n• Support for work–life balance through flexible working hours and the option of mobile working, subject to operational requirements.\n\n• Free social and family counseling services.\n\n• A comprehensive workplace health management program, including discounts at local sports clubs, fitness centers, and swimming pools through the EGYM WELLPASS.\n\n• The possibility of purchasing a job ticket\n\n• Numerous offers for sports and cultural activities\n\n• Varied catering options in the student cafeterias of the student union\n\nDo you have questions?\n\nIf you have general questions about the recruitment process or specific questions about the advertised position, please contact Prof. Dr. Cyprien Verseux: cyprien.verseux@zarm.uni-bremen.de\n\nHow to apply:\n\nYour application should include all of the following documents:\n\n• An academic curriculum vitae (CV) (including a list of publica􀆟ons, if applicable).\n\n• Copies of your Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates, as well as employment references, if applicable.\n\n• The contact details of two referees.\n\n• A leter of motivation (maximum two pages) explaining what specifically motivated you to apply for this position, why you are particularly interested in the proposed research topic, and which qualifications and experience make you a suitable candidate for the position. Please write this leter without AI assistance.\n\nPlease send your application, quoting Reference A146-26, by August 18th, 2026, as a single PDF file via unencrypted email to: cyprien.verseux@zarm.uni-bremen.de\n\nAlternatively, you may submit your application by post to:\n\nUniversity of Bremen Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) Prof. Dr. Cyprien Verseux Am Fallturm 2 28359 Bremen Germany\n\nPlease note that application documents should not include a photograph.\n\nPlease submit copies only of your application documents, as application materials cannot be returned.\n\nIn accordance with Sections 12 and 13 of the GDPR, your application documents will be processed and retained in compliance with Article 6 GDPR in conjunction with Section 12 of the Bremen GDPR Implementation Act (BremDSGVOAG), Sections 85 et seq. of the Bremen Civil Service Act (BremBG), and Section 15 of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). They will be kept until the expiry of the applicable statutory retention period and will then be destroyed.\n\nAny costs incurred during the application process cannot be reimbursed.\n\nSo you have a strong desire to contribute to space research?\n\nWe look forward to receiving your application!\n\nGeneral Information\n\nFor more than 50 years, the University of Bremen has maintained its distinctive character as a place where people and ideas come together through close collaboration and openness to unconventional approaches in research and teaching. With a broad range of academic disciplines, the University combines outstanding research performance with a strong capacity for innovation.\n\nAs a research-intensive university, Bremen is commited to research-based learning and places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. The University actively fosters international research partnerships around the world.\n\nToday, approximately 23,000 people study, teach, conduct research, and work on its international campus. Across research, teaching, administration, and operations, the University is firmly commited to the principles of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. The \"Bremen Spirit\" is reflected in the courage to embrace new ideas, a supportive and collaborative working environment, and a culture of mutual respect and appreciation. Through its teaching and research profile, and as a member of the YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) alliance, the University assumes social responsibility at the regional, European, and global levels.\n\nMore you can read https://www.uni-bremen.de/universitaet/die-uni-als-arbeitgeber/offene-stellen","datePosted":"2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","validThrough":"2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z","employmentType":"FULL_TIME","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Universität Bremen"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Bremen","addressCountry":"DE"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"Universität Bremen","value":"ba_10000-1207321755-S"},"directApply":false,"url":"https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/jobsuche/jobdetail/10000-1207321755-S"}]

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Master Thesis Investigation of Flammability Indices Correlations between Microscale Combustion Calorimeter and Standardized Aircraft Test Methods

Research Associate (Doctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate) in the field of Space Microbiology