In-house Mechanical Technician (m/f/d)

About the role

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena is seeking an In‑house Mechanical Technician (m/f/d) on a two‑year fixed‑term contract. You will join a small, experienced maintenance team to keep the institute’s facilities, equipment and vehicle fleet in optimal condition, supporting high‑level scientific research.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate, monitor, service and perform acceptance testing of building services and safety‑related systems such as compressed air supply, vacuum pumps, automatic doors, fire safety equipment, crane and lift systems, glass and smoke‑proof doors, and outdoor facilities.
• Independently carry out repairs and maintenance on mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Configure and maintain control systems for the greenhouse and building services (MSR, GLT).
• Conduct periodic safety inspections of ladders, emergency showers and industrial trucks.
• Manage the institute’s vehicle fleet: monitor condition, handle bookings, maintain logbooks, verify fuel invoices and organise repairs and quotations.
• Maintain and repair field equipment with pneumatic and electromechanical drives.
• Oversee video and conference technology and manage media equipment.

Required profile

• Ability to work within a well‑established team with short reporting lines.
• Willingness to undertake further training as needed.

Required skills

• Compressed air systems
• Vacuum pumps
• Automatic door systems
• Fire safety equipment
• Crane and lift systems
• Locking mechanisms
• Sun protection systems
• Flake ice machines
• Video and conference technology
• Building services control systems (MSR, GLT)
• Electromechanical drives
• Pneumatic drives
• MSR control cabinets
• Vehicle fleet maintenance

What we offer

• Varied and exciting working environment within a modern research institute.
• Short reporting lines and close collaboration with technical management.
• Opportunities for further training and professional development.