Open Positions

How to apply

All our openings are always offered publicly on our homepage.

Please use exclusively our online recruitment tool, which can be directly called up by clicking the link in the "Application" section in the relevant job advertisement. There are only four mandatory fields to fill. Then please attach your complete application file (preferably as a PDF) to complete the first step. You will immediately receive an automatically-generated message acknowledging receipt. Afterwards, we ask you for some patience. In most cases, we will get in touch with you only after the application deadline has expired.

Applications submitted after the posted deadline usually will not be considered for the recruitment process.

Please note: Only on rare occasions (mainly because of browser problems) will this procedure not work. In the event of a technical problem, please send us your application with a respective message via email to hr-group@xfel.eu. Also please bear in mind that the system only allows you to upload a total file size of 7 MB.

Recruitment process

Immediately after the deadline for applications, an international selection committee of men and women evaluates the written applications.

One criterion is the completeness of the solicited documents. So please provide a cover letter, a CV, and certificates (if requested). Normally, in the course of one week following the deadline, the committee compiles a shortlist consisting of three to six candidates. Dates for the interviews are fixed and the invitations are sent out. We try to take the wishes of the candidates into consideration, which is mostly, but not always, possible.

Applicants who will not be considered further in the recruitment process or who might be contacted at a later stage will also be informed within the aforementioned timeframe.

Travel costs and the use of public transport at the place of residence and in Hamburg as well as accommodation–if necessary–will be covered or reimbursed by the company in the maximum amount of 2 overnight stays. Flights and hotels are usually organized by the company through our travel agency and are directly paid by the company. Please note that travel costs within Hamburg for local/Hamburg candidates are not reimbursed.

If a visa is needed for traveling to Germany, we will send you the necessary invitation and consult you regarding the procedure. In exceptional cases, if a visa is not attainable in the available timeframe, we will organize a video conference instead.

The interviews are held by the selection committee in English language. Positions for technicians or mechanics might, in exceptional cases and on request of the candidate, be conducted in German. Scientists and engineers are usually requested to give a talk of roughly 15 to 20 minutes about previous achievements in an area relevant to the position. A PC and a beamer/projector will be available for use. The presentation is followed by a question and answer session with the committee. Afterwards, the candidate also has time to ask questions—for example, regarding the position, the company, and the respective group. The duration of the interviews varies between 50 and 90 minutes, depending on the position. In most cases, you will also meet an HR representative, who will explain to you details such as salary and working time. Interviews for technical or computer science positions may be followed by a short practical exam. For scientific positions, a short tour through the lab is sometimes organized. After the interviews, the selection committee summarizes the results; if deemed helpful and necessary, reference persons are contacted after the interview. The selection committee then provides a ranking of the candidates. The candidates will receive feedback, usually within two weeks after the final interview.

How to find us

The Human Resources office is located on the second floor of the European XFEL headquarters building in Schenefeld.

Should you have an appointment with us at our office in Schenefeld, please come to the reception desk in the foyer. Please see our contacts page for more information, including directions to the Schenefeld campus via public transportation, automobile, and taxi.

Shaping the future

European XFEL is an international non-profit company located in the Hamburg area in Germany. It operates a 3.4 km-long X-ray laser, which produces X-rays of unique quality for studies in physics, chemistry, the life sciences, materials research and other disciplines. The diverse scientific facilities at European XFEL enable scientists from across the globe to carry out a wide range of experimental techniques.

The SQS (Small Quantum Systems) instrument is dedicated to investigations of fundamental processes of light-matter interaction in the soft X-ray wavelength regime. Typical targets are isolated species in the gas phase, such as atoms, molecules, ions, clusters, nanoparticles and large bio-molecules. The main applications focus on processes occurring under irradiation with ultra-short, highly intense X-ray pulses using a variety of spectroscopic techniques.

The Small Quantum Systems (SQS) instrument group is looking for a

PhD Student (f/m/d) to study the structure and dynamics of free metal oxide nanoparticles by lasers and FELs

The position

The past years have shown a tremendous advance in the synthesis, characterization, and surface functionalization of nanoparticles with special boost in the field of electromagnetically interacting plasmonic nanoparticles, with applications in a large variety of fields. Technologically relevant nanoparticles typically exhibit a structural complexity such that the particle behavior gets very far from what is expected assuming it as a sphere made of the same number of atoms. The complex geometric and electronic structures affect in a non-trivial way the nanoparticle functional properties.
This PhD research project aims at establishing well-assessed routes for preparing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles with controlled doping, stoichiometry, and defect engineering thus providing a means for obtaining a sample library for tailored materials dedicated to light harvesting and photocatalytic applications. In addition, the development of these methodologies and the possibility to couple them to table-top as well as large scale facility optical and X-ray laser sources will be exploited to investigate the structure and dynamics of isolated complex metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in their interaction with intense fields and upon exposure to reactive species and/or thermal excitation.
 
The specific tasks include:
  • realization of a research project dedicated to the investigation of structure and dynamics of free metal oxide nanoparticles by lasers and FELs
  • develop an experimental set-up for gas-phase experiments on complex metal and metal oxide clusters. The core element of the set-up will be a molecular beam apparatus equipped with a Pulsed Microplasma Cluster Source (PMCS). The source will have to be upgraded to enable experiments on oxide clusters with controlled stoichiometry using pulsed light sources
  • design, prepare and perform spectroscopy, spectrometry and scattering experiments on metal oxide clusters in the gas phase using optical lasers, synchrotron radiation and X-ray free electron laser sources
  • take active part in the ongoing experiments realized at the SQS instrument
  • dissemination of the scientific results through publications and participation to international conferences and by preparation of the PhD thesis and participation in the PhD program of the European XFEL

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in Physics or other relevant discipline
  • ideally, a strong background in ion and electron spectroscopy on gas phase targets and in supersonic beam methodologies, or at least in either of the two topics
  • previous experience with optical lasers and synchrotron / FEL sources and familiarity with vacuum technologies will be considered an asset
  • ability to work regularly outside usual office working hours (during shift work periods working times include nights and weekends)
  • good communication skills and ability to work in an international and multi-disciplinary team with English as working language

For additional information, please contact Dr. Tommaso Mazza (tommaso.mazza@xfel.eu) or Dr. Michael Meyer (michael.meyer@xfel.eu) .

Working place will be Schenefeld in the Hamburg metropolitan area. General information on working in Germany, the Hamburg area and the European XFEL can be found under www.xfel.eu/careers.

Our offer

The European XFEL GmbH employs a diverse, broadly international staff. Become part of a vibrant international and multi-cultural team of scientists, engineers, technical and administrative staff. Be involved in cutting edge scientific and technical progress, participate in our international networks, and shape your life upon trust based flexible working times and telecommuting options. Experience our atmosphere of tolerance and respect.
The PhD positions are fully funded for a duration of three years. In justified cases an extension is possible.
Salary amounts to 75% of pay group 13 for civil servants in Germany (TVöD Bund). Further benefits are similar to those of public service organizations in Germany. In addition, European XFEL provides a non-contributory company pension scheme, broad relocation benefits, a subsidized job-ticket for the local public transportation system, as well as our brand-new company restaurant BeamStop. Company language is English, non-German candidates hired from abroad receive an international allowance.
The European XFEL PhD program goes far beyond classical PhD studies. You will have the opportunity to advance your professional, personal and methodical abilities for boosting your scientific career.

Reference number

S-316_a

Duration

This appointment is limited to 3 years.

Deadline

07 October 2020

Application

Please apply online and provide a motivation letter and your CV in English as well as reference letters in one single pdf-file.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference over other equally qualified applicants. The European XFEL GmbH is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women.

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