PhD student - X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy; XPCS

Offer Description

FS-SMP

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

22.01.2026

DESY

Join the Cluster of Excellence “Blue Mat:
Water-Driven Materials” and contribute to one of Europe’s most exciting research initiatives. Collaborate with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team that combines science, sustainability, and technology to create a better future. Help shape the next generation of sustainable materials inspired by nature’s most powerful resource: water. In the Complex Liquids team at DESY we are looking for a RESEARCH ASSOCIATE to conduct research within project CA Imaging as part of the Blue Mat Cluster of Excellence.

In the PhD project the candidate will develop X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) further for applications within Blue Mat. The recent improvements of detector technology and the ongoing upgrade of synchrotron radiation sources (such as the transition to PETRA IV) will boost the XPCS technique towards molecular time scales. This project will therefore apply XPCS to several cases in Blue Mat and support the development of MHz and ultrafast XPCS at European XFEL.

About your role:

• Application of storage-ring and FEL-based X-ray scattering methods to Blue Mat topics (such as role of confined geometries on structure and dynamics on liquids)
• In particular, planning, performance and analysis of XPCS experiments at PETRA III, European XFEL and other international synchrotron radiation and FEL light sources
• Contribution on further developing coherent X-ray scattering methods at 4th generation storage rings and European XFEL
• Close collaboration with Blue Mat partners at DESY, TU Hamburg, U Hamburg, and European XFEL
• Support of the group s experimental activities

About you:

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience, or a related field
• Hands-on experimental skills in laboratory work
• Curiosity and teamwork skills for working in interdisciplinary teams
• Very good English required (at least B2/C1 level according to CEFR)
• Experience with X-ray scattering experiments or large-scale data analysis is a plus

Look forward to a unique working environment on our international research campus. Respectful cooperation and the well-being of our DESY employees are particularly important to us. Gender equality is an important aspect for us. To support work life balance we offer flexible working hours, variable part-time, job-sharing models and participation in mobile work (up to 50%). You will benefit from our family-friendly and collegial atmosphere, our established health management and occupational pension provision.

As a public funded employer, we offer you a secure workplace and facilitate your individual career with our comprehensive training and development opportunities. Remuneration is according to the regulations of the TV-AVH. DESY offers its employees a financial supplement for a German job ticket (Deutschland-Ticket) at both locations.

We look forward to receiving your application via our application portal:

Applynow

DESY promotes the professional development of women and therefore strongly encourages women to apply for the position to be filled. In addition, severely handicapped persons with equal aptitude are given preferential consideration. The advertised positions are basically suitable for part-time employment.

You can find further information here:

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Personalabteilung | Notkestraße 85 | 22607 Hamburg
Phone:

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.