Work group:
Institute of Materials Physics
Area of research:
Scientific / postdoctoral posts
Starting date:
23.12.2025
Job description: PostDoc at the P05 Nano-Tomography Endstation
Job ID: 940
Location: Hamburg
Application deadline: 01/21/2026
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon operates an outstation at DESY in Hamburg to provide access to highly brilliant synchrotron radiation within its German Engineering Materials Science Center (GEMS). At the PETRA III synchrotron radiation source, Hereon jointly operates several beamlines. The Imaging Beamline P05 is optimized for micro- and nanotomography techniques with a strong focus on material science and life science applications. The full field nanoCT setup is one of the fastest worldwide due to its unique geometry and beam characteristics. It allows ultra-fast in-situ measurements as well as highest spatial and density resolution. Additionally, the highly coherent beam enables the application of phase contrast methods with a spatial resolution below 50 nm.
Join the Cluster of Excellence "BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials" ( and contribute to one of Europe's most exciting research initiatives using worldwide unique imaging infrastructure.
Collaborate with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team that combines science, sustainability, and technology to create a better future. Help shape the next generation of sustainable materials inspired by nature's most powerful resource: water.
This full-time (39 hours/week) position is initially llimited to 3 years and might be extended. Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.
As a postdoctoral researcher at P05 Imaging Beamline in the BlueMat Project Imaging, you will develop and advance imaging techniques.
Your tasks
Design and implementation of multimodal imaging concepts at the nanotomography station of P05
Development and adaptation of the existing in-situ nanotomography setups, fulfilling the demands of water-driven materials
Design of experiments and support of users (from within and outside of BlueMat) before, during and after their beam times
Scientific & technical advancement, i.e. active acquisition of scientific collaborations within BlueMat, implementation of new sample environments according to the demand of the user community, exploration of new optical concepts for X?ray nanotomography
Advancing your own scientific project within the scope of BlueMat, taking advantage of the collaborative network within the excellence cluster
Your profile
PhD in physics or in a related discipline
experience in phase contrast or coherent X-ray imaging
advanced programming skills in a high-level computer language (Python or related)
hands-on experience with instrumentation development
excellent oral and written English skills
collaborative mindset
Skills and knowledge considered as assets:
working experience at a synchrotron radiation beamline
hands-on experience in X?ray microscopy techniques, X?ray diffraction or X?ray fluorescence
working knowledge of image processing e.g. using machine learning
German skills
For further questions, contact Dr. lmke Greving (imke.greving@hereon.de).
We offer you
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 and remuneration up to pay group 13 according to TV EntgO Bund
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 of private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
free assistance program for employees (EAP)
corporate benefits
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.
Interested? We are looking forward to receiving your application.
Apply now! jobs2.hereon.de/default/job/PostDoc-at-the-P05-Nano-Tomography-Endstation/940-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.
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