Doctoral research associate for BabylAXO detector development in Hamburg

For our location in Hamburg we are seeking:

Doctoral research associate for BabylAXO detector development

Limited: 3 years | Starting date: earliest possible | ID: FHDO021/2026 | Deadline: 02.11.2026 | 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 Cluster of Excellence "Quantum Universe" performs research to understand mass and gravity at the interface between quantum physics and cosmology. The research team includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology at the University of Hamburg and DESY. As part of the cluster’s experimental program to search for hypothetical very lightweight bosons, for example motivated by dark matter and dark energy in the universe, the construction of the BabylAXO experiment will start shortly. BabylAXO will look for axions and similar particles emitted by the sun in uncharted parameter regions. The doctoral research associate will engage in the start‑up phase of BabylAXO and work on the extension of its scientific portfolio.

The successful applicant will be attached to the ALPS group at DESY, which together with international partners is realizing new experimental facilities to search for new kinds of very lightweight elementary particles, works on new concepts targeting high‑frequency gravitational waves and developing related technologies. Doctoral research associates will become members of the Quantum Universe Research School (QURS), which provides academic and key skills training, as well as career planning support. In addition, they will receive individual budgets to facilitate the attendance of summer schools and conferences, and to support other educational measures. Additional travel money for project-specific duties will be provided by the hosting research groups. Doctoral researchers may participate in teaching at the University and in the organization of the Cluster via an early career council.

About your role:

• Contribute to the commission and installation of the BabylAXO X‑ray detection systems
• Develop a calorimeter for BabylAXO sensitive to axions from solar fusion processes and supernova explosions
• Explore synergies of the calorimeter development with medical applications

About you:

• MSc degree in Physics or equivalent qualification
• Hands‑on experience in the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of complex experimental setups
• Programming experience in scientific computing environments
• Independent, proactive, and goal‑oriented working style with a strong commitment to solving complex technical challenges
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• Experience in detector development for or operation of experimental particle physics or dark matter search experiments

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 Axel Lindner at +49 40 8998‑3525 (axel.lindner@desy.de).

PhD students receive a monthly salary of 67% of the payment of the remuneration group 13 TVöD (Federal Government).

DESY promotes equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. We therefore welcome applications from people of all dimensions of 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 and those with equivalent status will be given preference if they are equally qualified (sbv.desy.de).

You can find further information here: https://www.desy.de/career/apprenticeship/

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

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