Research Associate (m/f/d) in Laser Physics & Femtochemistry

Academics; Göttingen; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts is seeking a Research Associate (m/f/d) in Laser Physics & Femtochemistry on a fixed term of three years for the FEMTOMICS ERC project in Göttingen. The role focuses on developing and characterising ultrafast laser systems for time-resolved studies of protein-DNA interactions.

The successful candidate will independently design and optimise complex optical setups, perform femtochemistry experiments, analyse data, and contribute to publications and IP

Qualifications

• Completed university degree at Master's or Diploma level in physics, photonics, physical chemistry, or related natural science; a doctorate is desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of non-linear optics and ultrashort laser pulses and experience with sophisticated experimental laser setups.
• Experience in designing, aligning, characterising, and operating complex optical setups.
• Experience in photochemistry/femtochemistry or time-resolved spectroscopy is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, commission, and further develop complex laser systems and irradiation platforms using ultrashort pulses.
• Plan and conduct time-resolved physical and femtochemical experiments to study protein-DNA crosslinking and DNA damage.
• Investigate and optimise laser and process parameters like wavelength, pulse duration, energy, repetition rate, and dose.
• Characterise, validate, and standardise optical setups and measurement methods, including SOPs.
• Collaborate with physics, biology, proteomics, sequencing, and bioinformatics experts; interpret results and plan experiments.
• Contribute to scientific publications, project communication, and invention disclosures or patents when applicable.

Skills

Non-linear optics

Ultrashort laser pulses

Experimental laser setups

Time-resolved spectroscopy

Data analysis

Teamwork

English proficiency

German language

Scientific publications

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree

PhD desirable

Tools

Optical alignment tools

Laser measurement equipment

Job description

At HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, Faculty of Engineering and Health, Göttingen campus, the following position in the ERC Advanced Grant project FEMTOMICS is to be filled at the earliest possible date, for a fixed term of three years:

Within the ERC Advanced Grant project FEMTOMICS, we are developing novel photonic and molecular analytical methods for the high-resolution investigation of dynamic protein-DNA interactions. Femtosecond laser-based crosslinking (fliX) is combined with complementary methods in quantitative and structural proteomics (LC-MS/MS), genomics and sequencing (ChIP-Seq, nanopore sequencing), and bioinformatics for multiomics data integration and analysis to characterise protein-DNA interactions at the structural and functional levels. The aim is to make previously inaccessible dynamic molecular processes experimentally measurable and thereby establish new foundations for investigating regulatory mechanisms in biological and disease-relevant systems. A central focus is the development and physicochemical characterisation of novel irradiation and measurement approaches based on ultrashort laser pulses. For this research area, we are seeking a highly motivated scientist with strong experimental expertise in non-linear optics and ultrashort-pulse laser systems who can independently develop, implement, and characterise complex optical setups and, together with an interdisciplinary team, investigate the underlying femtochemical processes. The work combines fundamental research in ultrafast physics and femtochemistry with applications in molecular bioanalytics and biomedical research. It will open up new opportunities for the structural and functional analysis of protein-DNA interactions and for understanding disease-relevant regulatory processes.

Research Associate (m/f/d) in Laser Physics & Femtochemistry (E 13 TV-L, full-time)

Your responsibilities

• Designing, constructing, commissioning, and further developing complex experimental laser systems and irradiation platforms using ultrashort laser pulses, particularly pump-probe setups and dual-wavelength irradiation systems.
• Independently planning, conducting, and evaluating time-resolved physical and femtochemical experiments to elucidate the processes leading to protein-DNA crosslinking and DNA damage.
• Systematically investigating and optimising relevant laser and process parameters, such as wavelength, pulse duration, pulse energy, repetition rate, temporal pulse separation, and irradiation dose.
• Characterising, validating, and standardising the optical setups and measurement methods developed, including benchmarking, reproducibility assessments, troubleshooting, and the preparation of SOPs.
• Working closely with experts in physics, molecular biology, proteomics, sequencing, and bioinformatics; jointly interpreting results and integrating them into experimental planning.
• Contributing to scientific publications, project communication, and, where results are eligible for intellectual property protection, invention disclosures and patent applications.

Your qualifications

• A completed university degree at Master's or Diploma level in physics, photonics, physical chemistry, or a related natural science; a completed doctorate is desirable.
• Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of non-linear optics and ultrashort laser pulses and extensive experience with sophisticated experimental laser setups.
• Demonstrated experience in the independent design, alignment, characterisation, and operation of complex optical and/or spectroscopic experimental setups.
• Experience in photochemistry, femtochemistry, time-resolved spectroscopy, or related fields is advantageous.
• Strong analytical and independent scientific thinking, with the ability to critically evaluate experimental results and develop solutions to scientific and methodological challenges.
• A strong interest in biological and biomedical research questions, together with a willingness to acquire expertise in protein-DNA interactions and molecular analytical methods.
• Enthusiasm for method and technology development, systematic optimisation, and experimental troubleshooting, as well as an independent, structured, and responsible working style.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, together with an enthusiasm for close collaboration in an interdisciplinary team.
• A demonstrated record of scientific publications; experience with invention disclosures, intellectual property rights, or patent applications is desirable.
• Very good English skills for scientific communication and laboratory work and very good German skills for handling administrative matters are expected.

HAWK sees itself as a place that creates opportunities. We therefore expect the successful candidate to foster an equal-opportunity and diversity-oriented working environment in interactions with colleagues and students.

As a diversity-friendly university, we welcome employees with different backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people from underrepresented groups.

The Equal Opportunities Office and the Staff Council will be happy to answer any related questions.

Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions if they have equal aptitude, qualifications and professional performance. To enable us to safeguard your interests, please indicate in your application whether you have a recognised severe disability or equivalent status.

For questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Christoph Rußmann ([e-mail]).

Information pursuant to Article 13 GDPR on the collection of personal data can be found on our website at: https://www.hawk.de/datenschutz-stellenangebote.