Postdoctoral Researcher

For our location in Hamburg we are seeking:

Postdoctoral Researcher Remuneration Group 13 | Limited: 2 years | Starting date: 01.11.2026 | ID: FSPO007/2026 | Deadline: 31.08.2026 | Full-time/Part-time | Remote work possible

DESY, with more than 2900 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world's leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.

The FS FLASH-D group is responsible for the development and operation of photon diagnostics for FLASH1 and FLASH2, as well as their control and monitoring software.
At the heart of the project lies the development and construction of state-of-the-art spectroscopic measuring devices for attosecond pulse metrology in large-scale research facilities.
The position is part of the LEAPS TechRoad project, which involves an attosecond timing instrument based on angular streaking for experiments at European free-electron lasers (FELs).

About your role:

• Development of new spectroscopic measurement instruments for FEL-based research
• Conducting experiments, measurements, and calculations
• Preparation of publications
• Participation in conferences
• Analysis and interpretation of scientific data

About you:

• Completed university-level scientific education plus PhD in physics, chemistry, or materials science, or equivalent (doctorate must be completed before starting the position, but must not be older than 5 years)
• Excellent knowledge of X-ray physics, ideally accelerator-based, particularly with Free Electron Lasers (FELs) and/or synchrotrons
• Technical experience working with ultra-high vacuum measurement devices, preferably including development work
• Knowledge of atomic and molecular physics
• Extensive experience in data analysis, preferably using Python
• Experience in project management

Good reasons to join:

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.

For further information, please contact Kai Tiedtke at +49 40 8998‑2481( [email protected] ).

Please arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to the DESY human resource department by using our online tool: Additional application documents

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

DESY promotes equal opportunities and diversity . The professional development of women is very important to us and therefore we strongly encourage women to apply for the vacant position. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified ( sbv.desy.de ).

You can find further information here:

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Human Resources Department | Notkestraße 85 | 22607 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 8998‑3392