Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems

During your Studies

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Between science and business

FOKUS will take you further:

  • Work in national and international research projects
  • Advance relevant social issues
  • Take on tasks independently early on
  • Learn to keep an eye on the commercial application
  • Benefit from the good reputation of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  • Write your thesis in cooperation with one of our business units
  • Build your stepping stone into industry, science or self-employment

FOKUS facilitates working alongside your studies:

  • Flexible working hour models as well as possibilities of mobile working
  • Entry as student assistant or intern possible

You are welcome to apply for an internship on your own initiative. If you are interested in working as a student assistant, please either refer to an advertised position or apply on your own initiative. And we also offer you career prospects after your studies!

Become one of us!

Einladung zum Netzwerktreffen "Werde eine von uns!": IioT-Lab am Fraunhofer FOKUS, in dem 2 Frauen arbeiten und der Umriss einer Person in Orange eingefügt wurde
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS

Get to know the FOKUS-network for female students! 

The female student network of the Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS was founded in the 2022 summer semester. It is open to STEM students from all universities. We would like to offer all female students the opportunity to establish a personal network with other female students, FOKUS scientists and women with professional experience through regular events.

At the network meetings, we inform you about our experiences as women in science, and what we have learned. You have the opportunity to ask questions about FOKUS research topics and the everyday work of female scientists. You will find out what opportunities we offer you as an employer, about the range of bachelor's and master's theses and internships, and how you can apply to us.

The next network meeting will take place in fall 2025. Further information will follow. 

FLINTA* Welcome

FLINTA stands for Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Trans, Agender, and further gender identities that experience marginalization and discrimination under a patriarchal society. At all our network meetings it is important to us to offer an inclusive protected space for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has been a member of the Diversity Charter since 2011. This also includes gender equality and gender diversity. The network is therefore expressly open to all FLINTA* people!

 

Collaborative research worldwide

Through joint professorships Fraunhofer FOKUS is closely connected with university-based research. Among others FOKUS has chairs at the Technical University Berlin, the Free University of Berlin, the Humboldt University of Berlin, the Berlin University of the Arts, the Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin and the University of Potsdam. Hereby we have the possibility to offer a professional support for diploma-, bachelor- and master theses.

Furthermore FOKUS has a network of teaching assignments and collaborative research projects with universities worldwide.

A typical working day

Here Kira tells you how you can imagine it

Berlin, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Sommer-Symposium, DPS Team
© Paul Hahn / Fraunhofer FOKUS

I start work at 8 o'clock in the morning. Not everyone is online at this time, as everyone can decide for themselves when they want to start. Sipping tea, the first thing I do is open our team chat on Mattermost - our go-to communication tool alongside Outlook. In the off-topic chat, I can already see the greeting from our favorite colleague Ekki. A photo of his two cats, who greet us from a different perspective every morning.

Now it's time to get to work. With Rosi, my student colleague, I first discuss the details of an article that we are collaborating on. We then chat briefly about current and past tasks and what else is going on at work and in our private lives. After we've said goodbye, I'm immediately given the next task by Steffi, our team leader. Good timing. She sends me a message asking if I would be interested in a new task and I happily agree. Now it's individual work for the time being.

After a few hours, it's already time for my lunch break. I spend it in my home office with a little autumn walk and a bite to eat. Back at my desk, I take part in a meeting about another project in which I work together with my team colleagues Jana and Steffi as equals. In our team, every opinion is valued and everyone's knowledge is incorporated. Time flies and in the blink of an eye, a working day is already over.