Careers at Fraunhofer

Fraunhofer has over 70 institutes and research units with various specializations such as production technology, renewable energy, environmental studies, information technology, security research, medical technology and many more. Find one that best suits your academic background and interest!

Fraunhofer institutes are directly linked to German universities in the same cities or regions. Several of these universities have Liaison Offices in Brazil or International Offices in Germany that can advise you on finding contacts and funding. Please check out this table for an overview of some of these connections.

For general questions or inquiries about other universities or Fraunhofer institutes, please contact us at the Liaison Office Brazil.

The Fraunhofer institutes and research units advertise their vacant positions in open calls. Click the link below to check if there are any availabilities that fit your profile!

Jobs at Fraunhofer

Many Fraunhofer Institutes are already employing Brazilian researchers or have experience in doing collaborative projects with Brazilian partners. Be welcome to get in touch with us at the Liaison Office - we will gladly help you establish contact with the right people at Fraunhofer!

German work culture and ethics may differ from what you know from Brazil. Without indulging in stereotypes or scaring you off, we'd like to give you some helpful advice on what to expect:

1. Germany has very protective labor laws, as well as a very strong social state. For example, there are many opportunities to benefit from free childcare, free training and educational opportunities, and universal healthcare. Don't be afraid to ask your local Works Council (Betriebsrat) or the Human Resources Department (Personalabteilung) for advice - ideally after doing your own research (see bullet point 2). 
2. Germans will expect you to work in an independent way. At the same time, they will also empower you to do so by making the necessary means available. They encourage you to do your own research before checking with colleagues or service personell. 
   
3. German bureaucracy can be a bit confusing to navigate at first. There are many rules and standard processes, and things are expected to be "done by the book". Make sure to know the proceedings as best as you can, and don't expect any "special treatment" for not knowing the rules. Check out our advice below under "What to expect after you get accepted"!
4. Germans tend to be very "straight to the point". Coming from another culture, this can be perceived as rude or inappropriate sometimes, especially when you are being critizied or asked to do something.  Do not take this personally - it is merely a typical German characteristic and not directed at you specifically. Instead, you might use it to your advantage. The directness often takes the guesswork out of what is expected from you, making it easier to avoid mistakes. And (constructive) criticism is a good foundation for personal development and overall improvement.

So you got accepted to work at a Fraunhofer Institute - congratulations! Here are some tips about the most important steps that you have to take now.

Please note that these are just general tips, and we cannot necessarily guarantee that the information is accurate for your particular case.  

Travel

• We suggest that you arrive in Germany 5 weeks in advance of the scheduled start of work (time to do the necessary documentation in Germany + 4 weeks of contract preparation at Fraunhofer)
• Necessary documents:
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of enrollment at university, letter proving your internship and salary in Germany (for immigration purposes if necessary)

Residence

• Be on the lookout for scams, never pay anything upfront.
• Find a place to stay for at least for 3 months while you are still in Brazil. In this way, you will be able to do the Anmeldung and then have enough time to find another place, if necessary.
  
• Check if the landlord provides the document to the Anmeldung (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
• Necessary documents:
  
  • Proof of family financing (Bürgschaftserklärung) accompanied by the income of the last 6 months
  • Scanned passport
  • Absichtserklärung (recommended)

Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for your entire stay in Germany. Find out about health insurance in Germany here.
Travel insurance is a personal but recommended decision. It will serve to  cover eventualities that may occur during the flight to Germany, until you are covered by health insurance.

Enrolling in university

Depending on whether you are a student, a PhD candidate or a researcher, you might have to enrol at a German university. Most of them do not charge tuition, but only a moderate administrative fee. In many cases, this fee includes a ticket for public transportation within the city or region of the university.

Opening a bank account

• To receive the money related to the contract with Fraunhofer, you need to open a German bank account and receive an IBAN code.
• Banks have specific limitations or costs, for example, cost of card issuance or withdrawal limit.
• Necessary documents:
  
  • Passport or Residence Permit – Depending on the bank
  • Fraunhofer HR Contract/Scholarship Letter – Depending on the bank

Official registration with the German municipality (in german: Anmeldung)

• How easy or hard it will be to schedule an appointment for your Anmeldung (official registration with the German municipality) depends on where exactly you will be in Germany. We recommend that you check in with your future Bürgeramt while still in Brazil.
• Arrive to your appointment at least 30 minutes in advance.
  
• The birth or marriage certificate must be translated into German or English and notarized.
• You will automatically receive by mail your tax return number (Steuer-ID), up to 14 days after the completion of the Anmeldung. This number needs to be reported to your employer.
• If you declare on your personell form that you are Catholic (or any other religion), part of your income will be directed to the Catholic Church ("Church tax"). Be aware that you will pay a tax for it, which is not usual in Brazil. 
• Necessary documents:
  
  • Valid passport
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Registration Formular (Anmeldeformulare)
  • Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's document, provided at the time of signing the contract or withdrawing the keys)

Visa

• Schedule your visa "interview" while you are still in Brazil or check with the German Consulate/Embassy in Brazil.
• Take a copy of the blank form with you on the day in case of erasures or misfilling.
• Translate your highest academic degree into German and get it notarized. There are cases where the English translation has been accepted.
• Your birth or marriage certificate must be translated and notarized in German or English.
• Prerequisites:
  • Anmeldung or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
  • Valid passport
  • Current photo
  • Registration
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of "income" – e.g. scholarship letter
  • Invitation letter from your employer
  • Fee (usually in cash)
• The necessary documents vary from case to case, but here are some examples for documents you might have to provide:
  • Completed form
  • Proof of enrollment at a university
  • Proof of residence (Anmeldung or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)