Researcher (f/m/d)

Your Tasks

The successful candidate will conduct research at the intersection of mathematical optimization, first-order methods, and heuristic algorithm design. The work combines theoretical foundations, algorithmic development, and software implementation in an oracle-based solver framework.

• Develop and analyze oracle-based primal heuristics for mixed-integer nonlinear optimization, including adaptations of established heuristic classes (e.g., diving/rounding, feasibility-pump-type ideas, RINS/LNS-style approaches) to settings without explicit constraint descriptions
• Investigate neighborhood search and local improvement strategies based on bound restrictions, active-set structure, and alternating first-order/oracle-driven schemes
• Design and evaluate automatic local surrogate models (e.g., quadratic approximations) of the objective and (approximate) Hessian information derived from function and gradient evaluations, and integrate them into heuristic search procedures
• Publish research results in leading conference and journal venues and contribute to open and reusable solver/algorithm implementations

Your Profile

• Outstanding university degree (Master’s or Diploma) in Mathematics, Computer Science, Operations Research, Data Science, or a related field
• Strong background in at least one of the following areas:
• discrete optimization / operations research, primal heuristics, branch-and-bound, or algorithmic optimization; and/or
• First-order methods (e.g., Frank–Wolfe / projection-free methods), nonlinear optimization, convex optimization, or related areas in continuous optimization
• Experience with developing and implementing algorithms for optimization or computational mathematics, including experimental evaluation and benchmarking
• Excellent programming skills, ideally Julia and/or Python, and familiarity with modern software development workflows (debugging, testing, version control, Linux environments). Experience with optimization software (e.g., SCIP, JuMP, Julia optimization ecosystem, etc.) is a plus
• Interest in bridging theory and practice: developing mathematically grounded methods and turning them into robust, well-tested software components
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, a high degree of independence and initiative, and willingness to publish research results at an international level

What you can expect

We offer a friendly work environment with flexible work and meeting times, excellent equipment and a challenging professional environment

as well as

• comprehensive training in a competent and cooperative team,
• professional training opportunities and support in professional development,
• an additional pension scheme (VBL),
• 30 days annual leave, flexible working hours (flexitime),
• a salary based on TV-L (collective agreement for the public service of the federal states) in accordance with qualifications and professional experience with annual bonus payment,
• capital allowance of up to € 150 per month, or alternatively a BVG job ticket plus the remaining balance,
• the use of canteens and sports programs of the Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) at reduced rates.

The Zuse Institute Berlin is committed to diversity, equal opportunities, and a respectful and inclusive working environment. In order to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented, we expressly encourage women to apply. Irrespective of this, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnic or social background, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Please apply via our online application form by September 9, 2026, submitting your complete application including curriculum vitae in tabular form and the standard supporting documents.

Contact

For further information about the position, please refer to our website www.zib.de or contact Mr. Gioni Mexi (mexi@zib.de) or Mrs. Deborah Hendrych (hendrych@zib.de).

Our private policy statement regarding application data is available at www.zib.de/impressum.

For further job offers please visit our website at www.zib.de/jobadvertisement.

About us

The Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) is an interdisciplinary research institute for applied mathematics and data-intensive high-performance computing. Its research focuses on modeling, simulation and optimization with scientific cooperation partners from academia and industry.