PhD student - Laser and X-ray spectroscopy water and aqueous solutions

Organisation/Company Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 19 Feb 2026 - 23:00 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Offer Starting Date 20 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

FS-SMP

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

20.01.2026

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 Area D:
Energy Materials as part of the Blue Mat Cluster of Excellence. In the PhD project the candidate will explore the fundamental molecular properties and phase behaviour of water and aqueous solutions of varying concentrations. Within this project you will develop and optimize a confocal Raman spectroscopy platform capable of measuring liquid samples across a wide temperature range, including supercooled states, including water in membranes/nanoporous media for applications within Blue Mat.

Additionally evaporatively cooled liquid jet experiments will be employed to study supercooled micrometer sized droplets, potentially combined with synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction for structural insights.

About your role:

• Optimization of a confocal Raman microscope for liquid samples and nanoporous materials
• Systematic Raman measurements of water and aqueous solutions and possibly membranes/nanoporous systems across a range of temperatures, including supercooled states
• Planning and performance of experiments combining Raman with X-ray scattering/diffraction (XPCS, imaging) for structural and dynamical studies
• Process, model, and interpret vibrational and structural data to reveal molecular dynamics and phase transitions
• Present results in publications, conferences, and Blue Mat workshops, and engage in interdisciplinary training
• Close collaboration with Blue Mat partners at DESY, TU Hamburg, U Hamburg, and European XFEL
• Support of the group's experimental activities at international synchrotron radiation and FEL light sources

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 laser spectroscopy, liquid jet experiments in vacuum, X-ray diffraction, 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.