Postdoc - Software development (m/f/d)- Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH

Postdoc – Software Development (m/f/d) – Helmholtz‑Zentrum Hereon GmbH

Helmholtz‑Zentrum Hereon conducts cutting‑edge international research on climate change, sustainable use of coastal systems, and quality of life. This position is based in Hamburg at the DESY outstation of the German Engineering Materials Science Centre (GEMS).

Key Facts

• Location: Hamburg
• Application deadline: 18 January 2026
• Contract: Full‑time, 39 h / week, initial 2‑year term
• Industry: Research Services
• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Research, Analyst, and IT

Responsibilities

• Develop a software solution for the analysis of energy‑dispersive diffraction data from the white‑beam beamline P61A capable of handling large datasets efficiently.
• Implement an efficient graphical user interface for fast sorting and viewing of large data sets.
• Provide peak identification and fitting capabilities.
• Implement metadata handling in data acquisition and automate analysis of complex multi‑dimensional data sets.
• Discuss and document requirements with beamline staff and external users.
• Collaborate with staff to share resources for the project.
• Document the software.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in physics, materials science or a related discipline.
• Excellent programming skills in Python, including experience with object‑oriented programming and testing.
• Experience in developing scientific analysis software.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Qualifications Considered an Asset

• Experience with larger software projects.
• Experience developing graphical user interfaces.
• Experience with documentation and tutorials.
• Experience with diffraction experiments at synchrotron or other sources.
• Good German language skills.

Additional Benefits

• Exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1 000 employees from more than 60 nations.
• Well‑connected campus with public transport; subsidy for the Deutschlandticket.
• Individual opportunities for further training.
• Social benefits per collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 13 (TV EntgO Bund).
• Excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment.
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Superior work‑life balance with mobile and flexible work options.
• Family‑friendly policy with childcare facilities.
• Employee assistance programme (EAP).
• Corporate benefit.
• Varied canteen offer on campus.

Legal Statement

Severely disabled persons and those who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply.

For questions, contact Dr. Peter Staron ( ).