Tasso Springer Fellowships - Three PhD Positions in Neutron Research

Are you interested in performing exciting research with neutrons and working together with scientists from all over the world?

The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) develops and operates high-performance neutron scattering instruments at some of the best neutron sources worldwide. Our main outstation is located at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching near Munich, where we operate 11 instruments in a user program and for our own research in the fields of "Neutron Scattering and Soft Matter (JCNS-1)", "Quantum Materials and Collective Phenomena (JCNS-2)" and "Neutron Analytics for Energy Research (JCNS-3)". JCNS invites applications for the Tasso Springer Fellowship Program, named after the outstanding neutron scientist who in his career was bridging neutron research in Jülich to Garching and Grenoble. The PhD fellowships aim at educating the next generation of researchers in neutron scattering. The successful candidates will be jointly supervised by scientists based at the outstation in Garching and at the JCNS institutes in Jülich.

Your Job

In the present call we are offering three remaining Tasso Springer PhD fellowships. The PhD projects will focus on the following three topics, related to the core focus of our JCNS institutes. The projects will be realized in close cooperation between the JCNS at the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Center in Garching and the JCNS institutes in Jülich. The preferred place of work is Garching; however, depending on the preferences, the candidates can also be based in Jülich.

• Project 4: Experimental and numerical investigation of the heat flow generated by magnetic nanoparticles inside a solvent for medical therapy (JCNS-2)
• Project 5: Interfacial structure of citrate on magnetite and its hydration state (JCNS-3)
• Project 6: Dynamics of water and ligand molecules on nanoparticle surfaces via neutron spectroscopy (JCNS-3)

All three projects involve hands‑on participation in experiments at large‑scale facilities, laboratory‑based characterization techniques, requiring visualising, analysing and interpreting experimental data. The research results shall be published in peer‑reviewed scientific journals and presented at conferences.

IMPORTANT: Please specify in the application which project you are specifically interested in. Further details on the projects can be found on our JCNS Website.

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in solid state physics, chemistry, crystallography, material science or a related subject
• Experience in X‑ray or neutron scattering methods
• Experience in research related to the focus area of the project of your choice
• Experience with analysis of scientific data
• Scientific programming skills, e.g. Python, Matlab are an additional asset
• Independent and responsible way of working, creativity, commitment, high degree of teamwork, as well as enjoyment of cooperative collaboration
• Very good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level according to the CEFR)

Our Benefits for You

• Access to excellent scientific and technical facilities
• Visit of International Conferences & Networking Opportunities: participation in national and international conferences and workshops/schools to increase your scientific network
• Annual leave: 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: professional development support through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
• Successful start: structured training for tasks and support from the very beginning, including Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Fair remuneration: position classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD‑Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year‑end bonus amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital‑forming benefits. All information about the TVöD‑Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (referenced in the links, omitted here for brevity)

• Fixed‑Term: Position limited to 3 years

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realise their potential is important to us.

Place of Employment: Garching (München)

Start Date: To the next possible date

Salary: Pay group 13 (75%) TVöD‑Bund

Application Deadline: The position will be advertised until it is successfully filled