PhD position on Radio Detection of Neutrinos

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For our location in Zeuthen we are seeking:

PhD position on Radio Detection of Neutrinos

Remuneration Group 13 | Limited: 3 years | Starting date: earliest possible | ID: APDO008/2024 | Deadline: open | Full-time/Part-time

DESY, with more than 3000 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.

DESY hosts one of the leading groups in RNO-G, contributing to the construction and operation of the IceCube detector at South Pole, and the Radio Neutrino Observatory Greenland (RNO-G). The group also plays a key role for the IceCube Upgrade, an extension of the IceCube detector and R&D for a future generation detector, called IceCube-Gen2.

Radio detection of neutrinos targets the discovery of neutrinos at EeV energies. In this emerging field several tasks from simulation work to method development to hardware work have to be performed. DESY is one of the leading groups in RNO-G and the group has recently been awarded an ERC Starting Grant. We are currently searching for Ph.D. students, who perform research in the field of radio detection of neutrinos.

About your role:

  • Independent research in radio detection of neutrinos
  • Analysis of RNO-G data
  • Commissioning of the RNO-G stations
  • Work of simulations for the radio detection of neutrinos
  • Publication of achieved scientific and technical results

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 at both locations.

Limited: 3 years

About you:

  • Master's degree in physics or astronomy, or equivalent qualification
  • Strong interest in neutrino astronomy and/or radio technology
  • Familiarity with scientific computing and modern programming languages, e.g. C++, Python
  • Proficiency in the English language, both verbally and in writing
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in teams

For further information please contact Anna Nelles at +49 33762-7-7389 (anna.nelles@desy.de).

DESY in Zeuthen does not grant doctoral degrees directly but collaborates with the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Candidates for thesis research will have to satisfy the terms of admission for doctoral theses of the University. PhD students receive a monthly salary of 67% of the payment of the remuneration group 13 TVöD (Federal Government).

Please submit your complete application documents (letter of motivation, CV, publication list, university transcripts / diplomas and two reference letters) via our application portal. Please use our online tool for the submission of the letters of reference: Additional application documents

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

Apply now

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:
https://www.desy.de/career/

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

Deadline for applications: 31.12.2025