PhD positions in Physics at the Cluster of Excellence PRISMA+

The Cluster of Excellence PRISMA++ offers several PhD positions for outstanding graduates in international research environment.

PRISMA++ addresses the basic questions about the nature of the fundamental building blocks importance for the physics of the universe. PRISMA++ consists of renowned research groups in the low-energy and hadron physics. Conducting various new key experiments to study fundamental forces the Standard Model is one of the main initiatives of the Cluster.

Applicants must demonstrate outstanding performance in their studies and are expected to hold or degree in physics, preferably in the areas of particle, low-energy, hadron and nuclear physics. The selected will get a funding contract as well as individual travel and research funds. They can participate in including lecture courses, seminars, retreats, summer schools, workshops and social events.

PhD topics

• Analytic calculation of two-loop high-multiplicity scattering amplitudes in QCD (Dr. Vasily Sotnikov)
• Beyond the Standard Model Theory and Effective Field Theories (Dr. Felix Yu)*
• DarkMESA experiment: Construction of a Phase-B detector for the beam-dump experiment light dark matter (Possible PIs: Achenbach, Denig, Doria)
• DUNE experiment: Design and Studies for Neutrino Physics (Prof. Dr. Alfons Weber)
• Feynman Integrals (Prof. Dr. Stefan Weinzierl)*
• MAGIX experiment: Commissioning of a Trigger Veto Detector for a Magnetic Electron
• Investigations of Few-Body Systems in Electron Scattering (Possible PIs: Denig, Merkel)
• MAGIX experiment: Development and Calibration of a GEM-TPC System for a Magnetic Electron and Nucleon Form Factor Measurements (Possible PIs: Denig, Merkel)
• Mu3e experiment: Fast online event reconstruction (Prof. Dr. Niklaus Berger)
• Mu3e experiment: Readout and data transmission electronics for phase II (Prof. Dr. Niklaus)
• NuDoubt++ Experiment: Mechanical design of the inner detector (Possible PIs: Prof. Böser, Prof. Weber, Prof. Wurm)
• NuDoubt++ Experiment: Background and sensitivity studies (Possible PIs: Prof. Böser, Dr. Weber, Prof. Wurm)
• P2 experiment: Commissioning of the Pixel tracking detector (Prof. Dr. Niklaus Berger)
• P2 experiment: First measurements (Prof. Dr. Frank Maas)
• Project 8 experiment: Accommodation of atomic hydrogen/tritium on cold surfaces for future experiments (Possible PIs: Prof. Böser, Prof. Fertl)
• Theory of muonic atoms (Prof. Dr. Sonia Bacca)
• tSPECT experiment: Data analysis and development of a highly segmented radial escape detector the UCN trap (Prof. Dr. Martin Fertl)

*Positions marked with * start in autumn 2026

Starting between April and October 2026

Deadline for applications for “Theory of muonic atoms”: February 8, 2026

Applications should include

• Detailed curriculum vitae;
• Cover letter including a short motivation statement;
• Scans of university degrees including transcripts of records (lists of courses and grades) in German;
• Candidates who have obtained their degrees from a university where English is not one of the teaching must prove their language proficiency (B2 level or higher) by a certificate not older than three years.

Please fill in the application form and send your complete application documents as a single pdf mainz.de by February 28, 2026. All certificates may be submitted in English or German. Interviews take place the week of March 9, 2026.

Please arrange for two signed letters of recommendation by senior scientists, with institutional letterhead separately to the above address. Referees are also asked to submit the completed referee form.