The Enantioselective Photoelectron Spectroscopy guest group within the Molecular Physics Department at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max-Planck-Society is looking to fill the following

PhD Position (m/f/d)

A full-time, three-year, DFG-funded PhD position, hosted at the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin and formally offered by the University of Münster, is available. Please note that this notice is purely informational, and that the official position listing may be found on the University of Münster’s webpage.

Your role

We are seeking a motivated and curious candidate who is interested in molecular physics, chirality, spectroscopy, and technical vacuum instrumentation development. The goal of this PhD project is to leverage photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD), a highly enantiosensitive photoionization process, to probe solution-specific chiral phenomena for aqueous-phase biochemically relevant molecules (for example amino acids). The PhD candidate will commission a liquid-compatible electron spectrometer, and will utilize this, in combination with a tunable high-repetition-rate laser system, to perform liquid-phase PECD experiments. Under supervision of the project leader, the candidate will develop expertise with microfluidic, vacuum, laser, and high-voltage instrumentation, with data analysis, and with scientific writing and communication. The candidate will attend national and international research conferences to communicate scientific findings, and will additionally perform experiments at European synchrotron-radiation facilities (including SOLEIL in Paris, BESSY II in Berlin, PETRA III in Hamburg, and MAX IV in Lund). The position will be located primarily in Berlin.

Your profile

• A graduate degree (MSc or equivalent degree in physics, chemistry, or materials science) is required.
• Excellent spoken and written English is required.
• Experience with laser optics and vacuum equipment is advantageous.
• Experience with UV-visible, IR, and/or photoelectron spectroscopy is advantageous.
• Familiarity with scientifically relevant software (i.e. Igor Pro) and high-level programming languages (i.e. Python) is advantageous.
• A strong interest or expertise in experimental design and/or data analysis is advantageous.
• The ability to work independently as well as cooperatively, and to seek direct guidance when needed is advantageous.
• Good organizational, writing, and presentation skills are advantageous.
• A genuine interest in research, particularly in chirality and molecular physics, combined with scientific curiosity and experimental enthusiasm is advantageous.
• German language skills are not a requirement, but a willingness to learn is desirable.

We offer

• Becoming part of a small team that openly shares ideas and supports one another.
• Training in experimental physics and data analysis.
• Mentoring and career support tailored to your individual goals.
• Possibilities to travel to collaborating groups and research institutes (both within Europe and abroad).
• Encouragement to pursue independent research directions in addition to outlined project.
• Appreciation, commitment, openness and respect – values which are important to us.
• Our broad range of diverse work-time models offers great flexibility – also when working from home.
• As an educational institution, we are deeply committed to offering occupational training and continuing education opportunities tailored to your individual needs.
• As a university employee, you are entitled to numerous benefits afforded to public servants, e.g. an attractive company pension scheme (VBL), an annual end-of-year bonus and a position that is shielded from economic fluctuations.

Your application

Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application. Applications may be written in German or English, and should include a cover letter, CV (including publications and public presentations, if any), degree certificates, and the names of two references.

Applications should be received by 2026-07-31 by e-mail (at dstemer@uni-muenster.de or dstemer@fhi-berlin.mpg.de,, with all documents merged into one PDF file).