Program Manager – Battery Technology Expert (m/f/d)

Published August 26, 2026

Are you passionate about technology? Would you like to help Germany's deep-tech startup founders turn their ideas into groundbreaking products?

Then join the BaStI (Battery Startup Incubator) project — a unique incubator dedicated to supporting battery-related startups across Germany. BaStI addresses the specific challenges battery startups in Germany face, from high upfront investment and long payback periods to difficulties accessing highly specialized research infrastructure.

We combine a network of domain-specific incubators that serve as a launchpad for entrepreneurship in deep tech and life sciences. Our mission is to support startups from initial idea through to investment readiness, backed by an active network of academic experts as well as industry professionals, strategic advisory, and state-of-the-art research and development infrastructure.

Ready to make an impact? Help us build Europe's largest domain-specific incubator network!

This ambitious initiative brings together the expertise of TUM Venture Labs, TUM, TUMint·Energy Research, and UnternehmerTUM to provide battery startups with first-class support and to turn scientific research into market-ready innovation. As part of Europe's leading startup ecosystem, BaStI accelerates the industrial application of battery technology and offers comprehensive support across all stages of a startup's development.

TUMint·Energy Research GmbH is a predominantly publicly funded, non-university research institution closely affiliated with TUM at the Garching research campus. Our research focus is on innovative energy storage technologies, and we collaborate with TUM at the scientific level.

Your Mission

• Support scientists, students, and startups in the battery field (e.g. materials and process research, scale-up research and digitalization, sustainable battery life cycles, future technologies, etc.) by offering tailored solutions suited to their stage of development.
• Engage with researchers and students, and expand educational offerings for aspiring founders in materials science, energy storage, and sustainability.
• Build and manage a German battery network, in particular through exchange with external experts, investors, and companies.
• Take charge of the operational organization, implementation, and delivery of all incubator activities in collaboration with TUM Venture Labs.
• Connect research institutions and industry players active in the battery field across Germany, to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of joint projects throughout the research ecosystem.
   

Core Responsibilities

• Infrastructure mapping and access conditions: analyze and maintain an overview of available research infrastructure in Germany along the battery value chain, including equipment, facilities, and specialized expertise; assess access conditions for efficient resource allocation and support of startup teams.
• Technical advisory for startups on battery technology, materials, and system integration.
• Support innovative researchers, students, and startups in accessing specialized battery research infrastructure in Germany.
• Facilitate technical collaborations between research institutions, industry, and startups.
• Identify technological gaps and innovations in battery technology.
• Contribute to knowledge-exchange events such as workshops, hackathons, and "Battery Days."
• Expand the incubator's network, in particular contacts within the battery industry and related sectors.
• Support startups in accessing public and private funding opportunities.

Your Profile

• Academic degree (Master's, Ph.D. preferred) in battery research, electrochemistry, materials science, or a related field.
• Deep and broad understanding of battery technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable recommendations for startup teams.
• Knowledge of and practical experience with the German funding landscape (e.g. BMFTR programs, EXIST, ZIM, etc.) is an advantage.
• A strong network within the battery research community and battery industry is an advantage.
• Passion for supporting and mentoring early-stage founding teams.
• Willingness to travel for events and industry meetings.
• Excellent written and spoken English; good German skills are an advantage.

What we offer

• Impactful mission: Contribute to building Europe's leading battery startup incubator and support the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe.
• Innovative environment: Work with first-class institutions such as TUM Venture Labs, TUM, and UnternehmerTUM, and gain access to a unique ecosystem bringing together professionals from industry and research alongside government initiatives.
• Collaborative team: Become part of an interdisciplinary, forward-looking team with access to a broad network of players in battery technology and deep-tech startups.
• Flexible working environment: Hybrid working arrangements are available, with the main location in Garching near Munich, Germany.

The position is fixed-term until December 31, 2028, and is funded through a project grant. Employment and compensation follow the terms of the TV-L collective agreement, up to pay grade E13. As an equal-opportunity employer, we explicitly encourage applications from women and from all individuals who can bring additional diversity to our team. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference when equally qualified.

Please send your application (cover letter stating your earliest possible start date, a structured CV, and copies of your most important certificates/references, all in a single PDF file).

Dr. Christoph Winkler, Managing Director, TUMint·Energy Research GmbH, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching

winkler@tumint-energy.de

The application process is conducted by TUM Venture Labs; in this regard, we are the data controller as defined by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The employment relationship is established within the framework of employment at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). However, the activity is performed for TUM Venture Labs. For further information regarding the processing of your personal data, please refer to our privacy policy (especially Section 41).