New Research Associate Position for the BMFTR Project "AttoSee"

For our location in Hamburg we are seeking:

New Research Associate Position for the BMFTR Project "AttoSee"

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.

We are opening a new post-doctoral position in the Attosecond Science Group at the Center for Free Electron Laser (CFEL) Science in Hamburg. In the CFEL-ATTO group, we develop advanced laser technologies with the aim of tracking and controlling electron dynamics in matter.

About your role:

As part of the BMFTR project „AttoSee”:

You will drive the development of synchronised ultrashort UV and NIR sources at the CFEL-ATTO labs for testing a setup for concurrent angular streaking of high and low kinetic energy electrons, ultimately to be used at the European XFEL
Beginning with a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser system and mid-infrared optical parametric amplifier, you will develop a compression scheme to reach few-cycle pulse durations, and subsequently use them to drive deep UV resonant dispersive waves in a hollow core fiber
You will design an optical setup to combine the sources spatially and temporally inside a multi-electron-spectrometer setup
Carry out experiments on various samples in collaboration with an expert team
In addition to the experiments at DESY, you will take part in experiments and the final commissioning of the setup at the European XFEL

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.

Limited: 30.06.2028

About you:

PhD in physics or equivalent degree
Proven experience in nonlinear optics
Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: hollow core fibers, optical parametric amplifiers, high power ultrashort pulse laser systems
Experimental skills and interest in instrumentation development
Excellent knowledge of English
Ability to work as part of a team

For further information please contact Terry Mullins at +49 40 8998-9-6039 (terry.mullins@desy.de).

Please use our online tool for the submission of letters of reference: Additional application documents

Please submit your complete application documents (letter of motivation and research interests, CV, list of publications, relevant certificates and three letters of references) 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: 31.12.2026