Area of research:
Technik
Starting date:
17.11.2025
Job description:
The GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt operates one of the leading particle accelerators for science. Currently, the new FAIR ( F acility for A ntiproton and I on R esearch) one of the world's largest research projects, is under construction through international cooperation. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work in this international environment with a team of employees committed to world-class science.
In cooperation with the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz the LINAC department offers a
PhD student position (all genders)
in Accelerator Physics
Reference number: 25.139-6680
for a contract starting at the earliest possible date.
Our project / Your tasks:
The position is embedded in the development program for the superconducting linear accelerator HELIAC (HElmholtz LInear ACcelerator).
HELIAC consists of a normal-conducting injector LINAC and a superconducting section comprising up to four cryogenic modules.
The candidate will work on the development of the Medium Energy Beam Transport (MEBT) line. In particular, normal-conducting radio frequency (rf) re-buncher cavities must be designed and manufactured using additive manufacturing technologies, and subsequently tested with high RF power and ion beam.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
* The beam dynamics design of the re-buncher cavity
* The RF design and simulation of the re-buncher cavity using CST Studio
* The thermal and mechanical design of the cavity, taking into account compatibility with additive manufacturing methods
* The development of a dedicated test stand for high-power RF testing of the normal-conducting cavities.
Other tasks include:
* Participation in operation of first cryogenic module of HELIAC
* Participation in beam times
* Operation of cryogenic infrastructure.
Your qualifications and skills:
* University Master Degree in physics
* Ability and interest to work with RF-systems and accelerator installations
* Knowledge in one or more of these fields: rf-technics, accelerator physics, computational physics
* Team-oriented, a structured approach to work and safe working methods
* Good language skills in English and German.
The following qualifications and skills are desirable:
* Experience in Python programming
* Experience with analog and digital electronics
You may expect a multifaceted and interesting position within an internationally leading research institution. Teamwork and the willingness to undergo further training are essential for us. GSI also offers various options for balancing family and career, mobile working, company health management services, company social counselling services, personal training and qualification opportunities, a job ticket, supplementary pension benefits, additional company leisure time and a company sports club ‘Schnelle Ionen’.
The position (65% part-time) is limited until 31.08.2028. Salary is as specified in the collective agreement for public employees (TVöD Bund), effective at GSI.
GSI promotes the professional development of women and expressly welcomes applications from women. Handicapped persons will be preferentially considered when equally qualified.
Further information about FAIR and GSI is available at and
If you find this position interesting and challenging and would like to work in an exceptional, international, strongly technical environment, please send your full application documents with information of your earliest possible starting date and the reference number 25.139-6680 above by 01.12.2025 at the latest via the online portal on our job site:
Online-Bewerbungsportal
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
Human Resources Department
Planckstrasse1
64291 Darmstadt
GERMANY
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