Arbeiten und Forschen am ibp

Internship, Student Assistant Position, or Thesis at ibp

Would you like to contribute to real solutions for sustainable plastics and the circular economy, with your own responsibilities, modern laboratory facilities, and personal supervision?

Then you have come to the right place. We regularly offer internships, student assistant positions, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis opportunities.

Applications from international students, including DAAD scholarship holders, Master’s students, and PhD candidates, are welcome.

Apply now
 
Institute for Circular on Bio:Polymer Economy (ibp), Hof University of Applied Sciences. Feedback within 10 working days.

What you get with us:

Real Research Projects 
Take on your own responsibilities and tasks from day one.
Modern Laboratory Facilities
Access state-of-the-art equipment for plastics analysis and recycling technologies.
Personal Supervision
Receive guidance from experienced researchers and scientists.
Flexible Timeframes
Adapted to fit your study schedule.
Compensation / Remuneration
Depending on the type of position.
Future Opportunities
From internship to student assistant position, thesis project, or career entry.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are looking for students with:

  • A strong interest in sustainable plastics, recycling, and materials research

  • Enjoyment of independent and careful work

  • A willingness to engage with challenging research topics

  • Motivation that you can demonstrate in your application: Why are you interested in ibp? Which topics inspire you? What can you contribute to our work?

Three Ways to Join Us

Which option suits you best: Internship, Student Assistant Position, Thesis Project or PhD?

Internship

Gain practical experience during your studies through a mandatory or voluntary internship. A great fit if you would like to gain your first laboratory experience.

Student Assistant Position

Long-term involvement alongside your studies, working on research projects and ongoing activities.

A good fit if you would like to contribute over a longer period.

Thesis Project

Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis on a current research topic.

Ideal if you are approaching graduation and looking for your own research topic.

PhD Position

Work on cutting-edge research topics within our scientific environment and contribute to innovative solutions in polymer science, recycling, and circular economy research.

DAAD Scholarship

Conduct a research stay at ibp as part of a DAAD-funded programme and contribute to ongoing research projects in sustainable plastics and the circular economy.

General information for international students about our Institute:

Research at ibp

The Institute for Circular Bio:Polymer Economy (ibp) focuses on application-oriented research in the fields of biopolymers, recycled polymers, natural materials, and the circular economy. Research proposals should align with these focus areas and demonstrate relevance for industrial applications. Particular emphasis is placed on solutions that are technically and economically feasible within the European market.

Research Infrastructure

Our pilot plant and laboratory facilities support the entire development process, from material modification and processing to characterization and testing. Available capabilities include:
  • Small-scale chemical modifications (approx. 50 g sample size)
  • Compounding
  • Extrusion and polymer processing
  • Recycling technologies and material recovery
  • Mechanical testing and material characterization
  • Advanced microscopy (SEM, optical microscopy, AFM)
These facilities enable the development, optimisation, and evaluation of sustainable materials and technologies under application-oriented conditions.

Please make sure to read the application instructions (PDF-Download) carefully:

Research Presentation for Master students and Collaboration

Research Presentation for PhD students and Collaboration

First-Hand Experience:

"I felt welcome within the team from the very beginning and was able to contribute actively right away. In my project, I work on processing plastics recovered from end-of-life vehicles for reuse in the automotive industry. This allows me to learn about the entire process chain, and thanks to the excellent supervision, I was quickly able to take on independent responsibilities."
NiklasMaterials Engineering
"I have been working as a student assistant at ibp since the beginning of my Master's studies and continue to do so today. The first team I had the opportunity to work with consisted of David, Benedikt, Alex, and Farhad. I learned a great deal from them, and they supported me from the very start. Whenever I had questions or encountered difficulties, they patiently took the time to explain things and help me move forward. However, it was not only my immediate team but the entire ibp team that was always supportive and made me feel that I was never alone when facing challenges. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have had, and continue to have, to work with such a supportive and trusting team. From the beginning, they placed their trust in me and entrusted me with a variety of tasks and responsibilities, which I have always approached with great commitment and carried out to the best of my knowledge and abilities."
Hanieh M.Sc. Composite Materials Engineering
Apply now
 
Institute for Circular on Bio:Polymer Economy (ibp), Hof University of Applied Sciences. Feedback within 10 working days.

What We Research:

  • Bio:Polymers & Bio:Composites – Developing sustainable plastics and composite materials as alternatives to conventional materials

  • Natural Fibre Composites – Converting renewable resources and agricultural residues into high-value construction and fibre materials

  • AI-Supported Circular Design – Designing products with AI support to improve material efficiency and recyclability

  • Polymer Recycling – Improving technologies for sorting, reprocessing, and enhancing the recyclability of plastics

 

Learn more about current topics and case studies in our PDF.

How the Application Process Works:

Submit Your Documents
By email.

 

Internal Review
We match your interests with current research topics and available capacities.
Short Introductory Meeting
In person or via video call.
Feedback & Getting Started
Usually within 10 working days.

Your Application:

Your application is our first impression of the way you work. It should therefore reflect your motivation, academic interests, and commitment to reliable and conscientious work. Please send us:

  • a brief motivation letter

  • your CV your most recent

  • transcript of records

  • information on your preferred position (internship, student assistant position, thesis project, DAAD research stay, or PhD position) and your available timeframe

We will then review internally which research topics and supervision capacities are currently available and best suited to your profile.

Ready to become part of ibp?

Apply now
 
Institute for Circular on Bio:Polymer Economy (ibp), Hof University of Applied Sciences. Feedback within 10 working days.