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.

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.

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.