Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics, DESY
Start date: 01.10.2026, fixed‑term contract for three years (WissZeitVG).
Scope of work: full‑time position suitable for part‑time.
Salary in line with standard rates for MSCA regulations.
Role: Doctoral Candidate in the EU‑funded Horizon Europe Doctoral Network TRILOGY, working on ultrafast chirality at the University of Hamburg and DESY.
Responsibilities
Duties include academic services within the project. Academic associates may pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.
- Realise spectral and polarisation shaping of broadband and tunable UV/VUV sources.
- Measure time‑dependent chiral responses in electronically excited chiral molecules via PECD, PXCD, MOCD, and vectorial interferometry.
- Control the chiral‑optical response of chiral molecules via electronic coherences and use chiral light to establish similar protocols in achiral molecules.
- Work in close collaboration with theory partners to study charge and spin dynamics in chiral molecules.
Two 3‑month research stays in partner institutions are included in the PhD project.
Goals
Expand previous work on ultrafast chiroptical switching by controlling the chiral properties of molecules at extreme timescales from few‑femtoseconds down to attoseconds.
Qualifications
- Strong interest in chirality, optics, ultrafast lasers and ultrafast phenomena.
- Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, engineering or a related subject.
- Solid background in light‑matter interactions and laser physics and proven experimental activity in a lab.
- Experience in ultrafast science and/or attosecond science is considered a plus.
- Solid English (written and oral) and general communication skills.
- Desire to learn and to do original research in an interdisciplinary team.
Benefits
- Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements.
- Continuing education opportunities.
- University pensions.
- Attractive location.
- Flexible working hours.
- Work‑life balance opportunities.
- Health management, EGYM Wellpass.
- Educational leave.
- 30 days of vacation per annum.
The successful candidate will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Early‑Stage Researchers. Gross monthly salary is 4,720 EUR, with a possible monthly family allowance of 660 EUR.
Environment
Hamburg is a vibrant city in northern Germany. The Calegari group belongs to the Center for Free Electron Laser Science (CFEL) at DESY and to the cluster “AIM: Centre for Ultrafast Imaging”.
Equal Opportunity
University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life; we welcome all applications regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non‑disabled applicants.
The University of Hamburg strives to increase the number of women in academia and encourages qualified female academics to apply.
Research Associate for the Project “Controlling chirality at extreme timescales” § 28 Subsectio[...] Arbeitgeber: University of Hamburg
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