PhD student position (all genders) - (part time 65%)

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

06.08.2026

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt operates one of the leading particle accelerators for science. Currently, the new FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) one of the world's largest research projects, will be built in international cooperation. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work in this international environment with a team of employees committed to ensuring each day to conduct world-class science.

The Biophysics department of GSI is an interdisciplinary collaboration of biologists, physicists, chemists, biochemists and technicians. The multidisciplinary research covers a wide range of topics from radiobiology, radiation physics and space research to radiation therapy.

The Particle “Therapy Physics” sub-group of the Biophysics department is dedicated to advancing ion-beam therapy by improving treatment precision and effectiveness. Our research focuses on optimizing dosimetry, enhancing beam conformity, and exploring novel irradiation approaches, such as proton mini beam radiation therapy (pMBRT).

Within the framework of the research project PIANOFORTE-PRESTO (PRotontherapy Enhancement by Spatially Fractionated Treatment Optimization) we are offering a

PhD student position (all genders) – (part time 65%)

Posting-ID 26.124-1590

While conventional therapeutic beam applications typically aim at a homogenous dose distribution for tumor treatments, it has been demonstrated that also application of extremely inhomogeneous fields on the (sub-) millimeter scale (so-called minibeams) allows sparing normal tissue without compromising tumor cure. While this represents an opportunity, several challenges need to be faced before approaching a clinical study. In particular strategies to irradiate large clinical targets need to be defined and dosimetric approaches able to verify this highly inhomogeneous field have to be developed.

Within the PRESTO project the Particle Therapy Physics group has the responsibility for dosimetry, beam modulation, characterization and application and beam instrumentation. While most of the preparation and analysis work will be carried out in GSI, several experimental campaign at the DCPT in Aarhus are foreseen.

Your profile:

• Master’s degree and expertise in medical physics, biomedical engineering, detector physics, or a related field
• Strong interest in dosimetry and particle therapy
• Curious, open-minded, able to work in an international multidisciplinary team
• Basic knowledge of detector systems for particle physics
• Basic programming skills, e.g., python, Matlab or similar languages
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Proficiency of the German language is a plus.

We offer:

A unique opportunity to work in an exciting and highly-stimulating multidisciplinary and international environment.

The contract is limited for 3 years. The salary is based on the collective agreement for public employees (TVöD). 

GSI supports the vocational development of women. Therefore, women are especially encouraged to apply for the position.

Handicapped persons will be preferentially considered when equally qualified.

Further information about FAIR and GSI is available at www.gsi.de  and www.fair-center.eu .

If you are interested in working in an exceptional international, highly technical environment, please send your complete application documents and details of your earliest possible starting date, quoting the Posting-ID 26.124-1590 by 04.09.2026 at the latest via our online portal:

Online-Bewerbungsportal

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH

ABTEILUNG PERSONAL

PLANCKSTRAßE 1

64291 DARMSTADT

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.