Master Thesis "Social impact assessment of solar panels used in terrestrial and space environments"
Required skills
Job description
German Aerospace Center (DLR) posted this role. Below, we break down what it means for a working student in Oldenburg: your weekly hours, take-home pay and visa limits.
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Description provided by German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Vacancy-ID: 6455
Place of work: Oldenburg
Starting date: 01.12.2026
Career level: Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment: Part time
Duration of contract: 6 months
Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund).
The Institute of Networked Energy Systems develops transformation strategies and technical solutions for the efficient integration of the electricity, heating, transport and industrial sectors. In practice-orientated projects, our research teams develop a holistic understanding of the system and effective system solutions to make energy transition in business and society successful through research.
What You Expect
The master thesis is embedded in a DLR-project on the life cycle sustainability assessment of space activities, which is led by the DLR Institute of Space Systems amongst others DLR Institutes. You will work in the field of sustainable energy supply with focus on solar panels used in terrestrial and space environment by identifying social impacts of solar panel manufacturing and their main differences. Also, you will contribute to improve the social impact assessment of space activities including infrastructures.
Your tasks
- You will support the research group Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment by conducting a comparative analysis of solar panels used in terrestrial vs. space applications
- Applying Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodologies to identify social hotspots and impacts
- Mapping supply chains to uncover differences in social risk profiles between Earth and Space technology
- Evaluating current sustainability standards (e.g., ISO 14075) for their applicability to the space sector
- Developing recommendations for socially responsible space infrastructure
Your profile
- Enrolment in a Master’s programme in environmental engineering, energy systems, industrial engineering, process engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field
- You have a strong interest in Life Cycle Assessment and social sustainability dimensions
- Interest in sustainable energy technologies and space activities
- Experience in assessing energy-related technologies and their social impacts
- Experience in life cycle modeling approaches and software (e.g. openLCA), is helpful but not required
- Good analytical and scientific writing skills in English
- Independent and structured working style
We look forward to getting to know you!
If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 6455) please contact:
Dr. Thomas Vogt
Tel.: +49 441 99906 103
Working student essentials
What this Research working student role in Oldenburg means for you: the weekly-hours rules, the social-contribution perks, and what international students should check before applying.
Weekly hours
Working students may work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during the breaks. Staying within this keeps your student status and the Werkstudent benefits.
Working student rulesSocial contributions
Under the Werkstudentenprivileg you're exempt from health, care and unemployment insurance contributions — only pension insurance applies. That leaves more net pay than a regular job.
Check your insuranceInternational students
Non-EU students can work 140 full or 280 half days per year (raised from 120/240 in March 2024). A working student contract usually fits within this — confirm the exact limits printed on your residence permit.
Studying in Germany
