PhD student in Astrophysics/Astroparticle Physics

For our location in Zeuthen we are seeking:

PhD student in astrophysics/​astroparticle physics

Remuneration Group 13 nearmejobs.eu Limited: 3 years nearmejobs.eu Starting date: 01.05.2025 nearmejobs.eu ID: APDO003/2025 nearmejobs.eu Deadline: 27.02.2025 nearmejobs.eu Full-time/Part-time

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.

CTAO, the next-generation gamma-ray observatory, will revolutionize high-energy astrophysics, and DESY is a key contributor to its advanced simulations and data processing pipelines. DESY also plays a central role in the simulation and analysis of data from the VERITAS gamma-ray observatory at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona, USA.

We are seeking a candidate for a PhD position in astrophysics/​​astroparticle physics, starting mid‑2025. The successful applicant will join the gamma-ray group at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), working on research in high-energy astrophysics using data and simulations from the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) and VERITAS. The position is for three years and includes enrolment in the PhD program at Humboldt University Berlin.

About your role:

• Develop cross-observatory calibration techniques leveraging laser pulses from Earth observation satellites
• Analysing and interpreting gamma-ray emissions from transient sources and binary systems
• Modelling and astrophysical interpretation of high-energy emissions

About you:

• Master’s degree in physics or astrophysics
• Solid background in physics and astrophysics
• Basic skills in numerical data analysis
• Proficiency in English is mandatory

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.

For further information please contact Gernot Maier at +49 33762-7‑7598 (gernot.maier@desy.de).

DESY in Zeuthen does not grant doctoral degrees directly but collaborates with the Humboldt University. 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, relevant certificates and two letters of references) 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

Human Resources Department nearmejobs.eu Notkestraße 85 nearmejobs.eu 22607 Hamburg

Phone: +49 40 8998-3392