Student assistant jobs
Final Theses
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Master’s thesis:
-
Master’s thesis:
-
Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Influence of ultrasound on the functional properties of vegetable protein films (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Swelling/solubility/barrier properties of cottonide to different media (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Optimization of Cottonid as a fire protection layer (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Determination of environmental influences on different biogenic materials (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Enhancement of materials properties of biobased thermopasts through reactive extrusion – optimization of conditions and materials testing (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Aerogels from biobased polymers – optimization of production and materials testing (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Synthetic, tacticity-tailored polyesters as additives for thermoplasts – extrusion, injection molding and materials testing (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s thesis: Synthesis of tacticity-tailored polyesters – scale-up of monomer synthesis, controlled polymerization and product analysis (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Thermoplastic processing of vegetable protein (process development, production of test specimens, material characterization) (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Development of a “soft robot prototype” made of cellulose-based materials (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Design of a bicycle helmet based on renewable raw materials (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Production of novel bio-based bilayer actuators for various applications (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Optimization of the manufacturing process of a wood-wood composite (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Aerogel composite materials from bio(based) polymers – screening of incorporation techniques, production & materials testing (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Enhancement of materials properties of biobased thermoplasts through reactive extrusion – synthesis of reagents, optimization of conditions and materials testing (f/m/d)
-
Master’s thesis: Spatial asymmetry in synthetic polyester’s tacticity by exploiting reaction kinetics – kinetic study, synthesis, chemical analysis and material properties (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Comparison of the Sustainability Impacts of the Straubing Bring-in-Packaging Waste system vs. the Yellow Bin Approach. (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Circular Carbon Economy (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Assessing Carbon Capture and Utilisation Technologies (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Comparative Assessment of Chemical Recycling Technologies (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Assessing Micro-algae-based Chemicals Production (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Potentials and limits of Bio-Naphta Production (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Circular Economy and Growth (f/m/d)
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
Bavaria’s bioeconomy strategy aims to transition from fossil-based to bio-based economic practices. As part of this effort, a collaborative project has been launched to develop a scientifically grounded Bavarian Biomass Resource Strategy (BioReSt). The objective is to collect data on biomass flows in Bavaria and develop economically and ecologically viable approaches for their provision, utilization, and circular management. The Chair of Circular Economy focuses specifically on organic waste streams, employing methodologies such as material flow analysis (MFA), potential analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), and strategy development.
Research Tasks
Building upon the prior work conducted within the project, the student will contribute to ongoing research efforts by:
· Conducting a literature search on higher-value circular economy production processes and innovative use cases.
· Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts.
· Performing a comparative analysis of current vs. future utilization pathways for biogenic waste (e.g., composting, energetic recovery, pyrolysis, gasification).
Requirements
· Background in environmental sciences, sustainability, industrial ecology, or a related field.
· Familiarity with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA).
· Experience with LCA software (e.g., Brightway, Activity Browser) is an advantage.
· Student of Campus Straubing; TUM School of Life Sciences or Management.
-
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis:
Background
Currently, a car's most significant share of greenhouse gas emissions stems from fuel combustion during the use phase. Hence, switching from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is essential to decarbonize the automotive sector. Electric vehicles have lower emissions overall, but the embedded emissions in the materials used to produce the car will become the largest share of emissions. Therefore, fully decarbonizing the automotive sector requires additional approaches on top of electrification – such as circular economy strategies.
Research Challenge
Traditionally, policymakers have targeted the emissions in the car use phase – for instance, the CO₂ emission performance standards for cars and vans in the European Union and the zero-emission vehicle program in California. Unclear, however, is how the policy landscape will change with a rising share of electric vehicles. Policymakers may consider more topics such as supply chain impacts, resource consumption, and circular economy. The goal of this master’s thesis is to review existing and analyze novel policies.
Your Tasks
- Review existing sustainability policies in the automotive sector,
- Review circular economy strategies in the automotive sector,
- Use qualitative and/or quantitative methods to develop and assess the impact of novel circular economy policies in the automotive sector.
Requirements
- Excellent student with an (interdisciplinary) background in engineering, management, environmental sciences, or other relevant disciplines,
- Enrolled at TUM School of Life Sciences, TUM School of Management, or TUM Campus Straubing,
- Strong interest in sustainability, circular economy, and public policy,
- Familiarity with sustainability assessment tools such as Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Analysis,
- Fluency in English.
Please send your application with a short motivation letter, your CV, and a transcript of records to mattia.maeder(at)tum.de by 02.03.2025 at the latest. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you have any further questions, please use the contact information below.
Contact
Mattia Maeder, M.Sc.
Chair of Circular Economy and Sustainability Assessment
Am Essigberg 3
94315 Straubing
mattia.maeder@tum.de -
Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Serological Glass Pipettes in Wet Labs to Increase Sustainability in Life Science Research (f/m/d)
Background
Life science research is essential for advancing our understanding of living organisms and their processes, ultimately improving health, advancing technology, and addressing environmental challenges. Yet, involved research activities consume significant resources and generate substantial waste. “Wet labs” are laboratories that are specifically designed for conducting experiments that involve handling of liquids, biological materials, chemical etc. Typically wet labs use much more energy and water than office spaces and the generated plastic waste is connected to a plethora of environmental impacts. One central consumable used daily are serological pipettes which transfer and measure exact volumes of different types of biological and chemical solutions. They are available in two configurations, as single-use plastic or reusable glass pipettes. Reusable serological glass pipettes are known for their chemical resistance but require energy-intensive cleaning processes such as autoclaving. In contrast, single-use serological plastic pipettes are valued for their convenience and reduced contamination risk.
Methods- Compare the environmental impacts of both pipette types in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Key metrics include climate change impacts, water use, energy consumption, and waste generation, among others
- Perform an economic analysis to evaluate daily costs for the users
Requirements- Ideally first experience with or background knowledge of the LCA method
- Quick wit
- Willingness to travel to both sites, Munich and Straubing, and to observe the pipette use in the wet labs
- Strong communication skills to collect data for the life cycle inventory (LCI)
- Structured way of working
Contact Person
