Research Associate (Postdoc)

Euraxess; Hamburg; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management

30 days of vacation per annum

Zusammenfassung

A leading research center in Hamburg seeks a Research Associate for the XFEL-CEI project. The role involves conducting academic services, performing quantum-classical calculations, and contributes to XFEL-CEI experiments. Candidates must hold a PhD or have defended their thesis in a relevant field and demonstrate expertise in light-matter interactions. Excellent English communication skills are required. The position offers competitive remuneration and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifikationen

• Experience in the theory of light-matter interactions.
• Expertise in machine learning, electronic-structure theory, or molecular-dynamics techniques.
• Excellent communication and English skills required.

Aufgaben

• Conduct academic services in the project.
• Perform mixed quantum-classical calculations.
• Contribute to planning and preparation of XFEL-CEI experiments.
• Identify limitations of current modeling capabilities.

Kenntnisse

Theory of light-matter interactions

Machine learning

Electronic-structure theory

Molecular-dynamics techniques

X-ray physics

Excellent communication skills

Fluency in English

Ausbildung

PhD in a relevant field

Jobbeschreibung

The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging (CUI), Cluster of Excellence

Organisation/Company The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging (CUI), Cluster of Excellence Research Field Physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 6 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

Universität Hamburg invites applications for a Research Associate for the Project "XFEL-CEI:Computer Simulations andTheoretical Method Development" within the Cluster of Excellence "CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter" in accordance with Section 28 subsection 3 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz, HmbHG). The position begins on 01 January 2026.

It is remunerated at the salary level TV-L 13 and calls for a full-time position with 100% of standard working hours per week, suitable for part-time.

Responsibilities

• Conduct academic services in the project named above.
• Perform mixed quantum-classical calculations of XFEL-CEI patterns of complex molecules undergoing structural dynamics.
• Contribute to the planning and preparation of XFEL-CEI experiments, and work closely with experimentalists on extracting information from experimental XFEL-CEI data.
• Identify potential limitations of current modeling capabilities and perform the required methodological developments.

Coulomb explosion imaging using x-ray free-electron lasers (XFEL-CEI) is emerging as a powerful tool for capturing collective behavior of complex, single molecules [Nature Phys. 18, 423-428 (2022); Science 389, 650-654 (2025)].

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field or, if not yet awarded, have already defended your PhD thesis in a relevant field.
• Experience in the theory of light-matter interactions.
• Expertise in machine learning, or in electronic-structure theory, or in molecular-dynamics techniques, or in x-ray physics.
• Excellent communication and English skills.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum
• Selection process

Send us your complete application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of degree certificate(s) and if necessary ID attesting to your disability or proof of equivalent status) via the online application form only. Please click here to get to the job advertisement.

Additional comments

As a University of Excellence, Universität Hamburg is one of the strongest research universities in Germany. As a flagship university in the greater Hamburg region, it nurtures innovative, cooperative contacts to partners within and outside academia. It also provides and promotes sustainable education, knowledge, and knowledge exchange locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg promotes equal opportunity. As women are currently underrepresented in this job category at Universität Hamburg according to the evaluation conducted under the Hamburg act on gender equality (Hamburgisches Gleichstellungsgesetz, HambGleiG), we encourage women to apply for this position. Equally qualified and suitable female applicants will receive preference.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.