PhD student focusing on Machine Learning in Particle Physics

Work group: ATLAS

Area of research: Scientific / postdoctoral posts,PHD Thesis

Starting date: 30.10.2025

Job description: DESY

Foundation models are multi-dataset and multi-task machine learning methods that once pre-trained can be fine-tuned for a large variety of downstream applications. The successful development of such general-purpose models for physics data would be a major breakthrough as they could improve the achievable physics performance while at the same time drastically reduce the required amount of training time and data. To further advance foundation models in physics, and to bring them towards application at high energy physics experiments, we invite applications for a research associate position on the topic of deep learning for particle physics. 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 Universität Hamburg and DESY. Doctoral research associates will become members of the Quantum Universe Research School (QURS), which provides academic and soft 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 research associates may participate in the organization of the Cluster via an early career council.

About your role

• Develop and study building blocks of foundation models for particle physics
• Study their application in particle physics experiments, e.g. reconstruction and identification of particles in detectors

About you

• A university degree (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Excellent English communication skills
• Experience in computer programming and modern machine learning approaches
• Excellent candidates will have prior knowledge of particle physics, ideally in the form of a thesis project

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: Apply now

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: www.desy.de/career/

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Personalabteilung | Notkestraße 85 | 22607 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 8998-3392

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.

Company

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Qualifications

• Senior (5+ years of experience)