Apprenticeship
The Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung provides apprenticeships for professional training in different disciplines. Technicians for chemical and physical laboratories as well as mechanics and office management assistants are educated according to the highest standards. At present, about 30 apprentices are obtaining their professional education at the institute. The education at the institute is highly recognized and apprentices trained here are well received as employees at research organizations and industrial companies.
The following pages contain a description of several occupations. Since the training takes place primarily in German, good German language skills are a prerequisite.
Apprentice Positions:
The essential task of the chemical laboratory technician (Chemielaborant/in) is to carry out experiments, syntheses and analyses. The experimental data obtained are compiled in protocols. Trainees are introduced to the working techniques of a preparative-oriented laboratory. This includes filtration, centrifugation, extraction and distillation.
Chemical laboratory technicians will be familiarized with the latest spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis methods. During the training, apprentices are involved in the work of the various scientific and analytical working groups. In addition we have a modern teaching laboratory where the exam-relevant training contents are taught.
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Industrial mechanics (Industriemechaniker/-in Geräte- und Feinwerktechnik) will be trained to use state-of-the-art technology in the fields of hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics. Apprentices learn to independently produce and assemble smaller components made of metal and/or plastic.
The production of measuring, counting and adjustment devices as well as maintenance and repair are also part of the job. Responsibilities include the optimization of machines, tools and devices as well as the setting and programming of modern automatic production machines.
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Physics laboratory assistants (Physiklaborant/in) are responsible for carrying out physical measurements and test series. The trainees produce the necessary devices and circuits for their experiments themselves and evaluate them with the help of protocols. The controlling of the test series and the evaluation of the measured data is usually done by computer.
During training, trainees are involved in all the work of the various analytical departments. There they also learn how to work with state-of-the-art complex physical analysis equipment and how to solve experimental problems. In addition, exam-relevant training contents are taught in a modern training laboratory.
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All positions offered by the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung are subject to the following conditions: The Institute is interested in increasing the proportion of female coworkers in areas in which they are underrepresented. We strive at employing a larger number of disabled co-workers. Therefore, applications of disabled persons are encouraged.
News
Ernst Haage Awards go to outstanding young chemistry talents
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The chemical laboratory technician and industrial mechanic rank among the region’s best trainees in 2025
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Jolina Keßler is chair of the youth and trainee representative committee and works as a laboratory assistant in gas chromatography
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Alexander Schwalenberg, a chemical laboratory technician, received the Max Planck Society's Apprentice Award for academic excellence and social commitment.
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Nine new apprentices start at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung
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