Scientist jobs in Germany

Institute of Materials Physics

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

25.11.2025

Scientist Development of neutron scattering instruments

Job ID: 930

Location: Geesthacht

Application deadline: January 4th, 2026

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon in Geesthacht, near Hamburg operates the German Engineering Materials Science Centre (GEMS), a centre for synchrotron and neutron radiation materials research. Currently Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is involved in a project dealing with neutron scattering instrumentation at a new planned compact accelerator driven neutron source in Germany.

Within this framework we are looking for a PostDoc as Scientist for neutron scattering and imaging instrument development. You will work in close co-operation with colleagues from GEMS and with the project partners, e.g. colleagues from Forschungszentrum Jülich. The position will initially be limited to 31.12.2027. In principle, the full time position (39 h/week) is also sharable.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

You will be responsible for the development of neutron scattering and imaging instruments by numerical calculation and Monte-Carlo ray-tracing simulations. The emphasis will be on the development of neutron instruments for engineering materials research, e.g. a diffractometer for the analysis of stress, texture and phases as well as an imaging instrument for radiography and tomography measurements and advanced techniques such as Bragg edge imaging.

• development of instrument concepts
• numerical calculation of instrument performance
• simulation of instrument performance with Monte-Carlo ray-tracing programmes
• virtual experiments to validate the instrument performance
• pursue own scientific research in the field of engineering materials science within the scope of our Helmholtz programme-oriented funding
• presenting and publishing scientific results

• PhD in physics or a related discipline
• experience with neutron scattering instrumentation
• experience with Monte-Carlo ray-tracing programmes (e.g. McStas, Vitess)
• background knowledge with imaging and diffraction techniques will be beneficial
• background knowledge in materials science
• team spirit
• very good communication skills
• good English language skills

Content-related enquiries regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Fenske (Jochen.Fenske@hereon.de).

• an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• a well-connected research campus (public transport) and best networking opportunities, subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket)
• individual opportunities for further training
• social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service
• an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
• very good compatibility private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
• family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e.g. nursery close to the company
• free assistance program for employees (EAP)
• corporate benefits
• a varied offer in the canteen on campus

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

We are looking forward to receiving your application. Application deadline January 4th, 2026.

Apply now! jobs2.hereon.de/job/Scientist-(Development-of-neutron-scattering-instruments/930-en_US/)

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.