Area of research:
Scientific / postdoctoral posts
Starting date:
13.08.2025
Job description:
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt is one of the leading particle-accelerator laboratories for science. Currently, the new FAIR ( F acility for A ntiproton and I on R esearch), one of the world's largest research projects, will be built in international cooperation. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work together in this international environment with a team of employees committed to conduct excellent science.
The GSI Target Laboratory is looking for a
Postdoctoral Researcher (Physicist, Chemist or Material Scientist) (all genders)
for a Tenure Track Position
Posting ID: 25.89-6260
The Target Laboratory is one of the scientific-technical infrastructure departments of GSI and FAIR and a world-leading facility for the production of customized targets and stripper foils for accelerator-based research and accelerator applications. The group also provides support and advice for scientific and technical staff of GSI and FAIR in related topics, and collaborates with target laboratories worldwide.
The position is focused on the development and the construction of a setup for the reduction of highly enriched isotopes for the preparation of targets and ion source materials for experiments with heavy ions. A close collaboration with experimental groups and the participation in experiments with the manufactured targets and ion source materials is desired.
Your Tasks:
* Investigation on reduction processes of enriched isotopes
* Analyzing the requirements on enriched isotopes for ion-source operation and heavy-ion experiments
* Conceptional design and construction of suitable setups for target and ion-source material preparation
* Collaboration with groups within GSI and with international groups
* Supporting the daily work of the target laboratory.
Your Qualification:
* PhD in experimental physics, chemistry or material science
* Several years of experience of independent work in a physical or chemistry laboratory
* Preferably, experience in the design and the construction of chemical-physical equipment
* Preferably experience in handling of milligram-amounts of material
* Good knowledge in the fields of material properties, physical vapor deposition techniques and vacuum technology
* Good knowledge in physical analytical methods such as optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-Ray Analysis
* Good communication skills in English and German, both verbal and written.
We are looking for a person who works carefully and reliably, feels comfortable to work both independently and in an interdisciplinary team, and communicates clearly and comprehensible.
We offer an interesting and challenging tenure-track position in an international environment. The position is initially limited to five years. After successful evaluation, the position will become permanent. The anticipated starting date is as soon as possible.
Salary and benefits are based on the collective agreement for public employees (TVöD Bund) effective at GSI.
GSI supports the vocational development of women. Therefore, women are especially encouraged to apply for the position.
Handicapped persons will be preferentially considered when equally qualified.
Information about FAIR and GSI is available at and
For further information please contact Dr. Bettina Lommel (b.lommel(at)gsi.de).
If you find this position interesting, please send all application documents (a CV, a list of publications, including a commented selection of the three most significant ones, a research interest and achievements statement, names of at least two colleagues willing and able to provide qualified assessments of the candidate) stating the Posting-ID 25.89-6260 by 10th of September 2025 at the latest via the online portal on our job site:
Online-Bewerbungsportal
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
ABTEILUNG PERSONAL
PLANCKSTRASSE 1
64291 DARMSTADT
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.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany