Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Researcher Interview Questions
& Process

I applied online and heard back in about a week. The interview was online via Teams, lasting about an hour. I spoke with the head of the institute and the head of the division. They introduced themselves and the role, then I presented my scientific background for 20-25 minutes. They asked technical questions, and I had the chance to ask about the position. It was a really friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

I found out about a senior researcher opening and called Fraunhofer AICOS to ask about salary and if it was worth applying. They gave me some rough numbers that sounded good, so I decided to go ahead. The job required a PhD, industry research experience, and both team and project management experience, plus two letters of recommendation. I sent everything in and got a confirmation a few days later. A couple of weeks after that, I had an interview with the R&D group leader and a senior researcher. It was pretty informal and lasted about 90 minutes. They started with a 15-minute intro to Fraunhofer, then asked me to talk about myself and my background. We then discussed technology and possible markets for their research. I learned they were actually hiring four people and that there would be a second interview with the center director the next week. Surprisingly, they also mentioned that new hires wouldn't get a regular contract initially but would have to accept a six-month postdoctoral grant, which is cheaper for them as they don't pay social security and have fewer obligations. This means a lower salary and no benefits for six months with no guarantee of a contract afterward. This wasn't something I wanted to do, especially leaving my current stable job and relocating. The place and people seemed nice, but if you're applying for a senior researcher role, be ready for something like an internship before a regular contract. I wish they'd been more upfront about this, as it would have saved me time preparing my application and making the trip.

It was very informative, pleasant, and a good get-to-know-you and first impression. I was able to meet all the relevant people, especially the team. I was given a week to think about the offer. The issue of fixed-term employment was handled openly and honestly. The job was described well.