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 radiobiologic modelling group focuses on developing strategies and mathematical models to understand and predict biologic effects of particle radiation based on underlying physics, biology and physiology. Within the framework of the research project PIANOFORTE-PRESTO (PRoton therapy Enhancement by Spatially fractionated Treatment Optimization) we are offering a

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

Posting-ID 26.125 – 1530

While conventional therapeutic beam applications typically aim at a homogenous dose distribution for tumor treatments, it has been demonstrated that the application of extremely inhomogeneous fields on the (sub-)millimeter scale (so-called minibeams) allow sparing normal tissue without compromising tumor cure. This represents an option but also a challenge for treatment planning, since no approaches exist yet to predict the response of normal tissues to such inhomogeneous fields.

Mathematical modelling combining physical and biological aspects offers a tool to tackle this problem. In the project, a predictive model should be enhanced and validated for cellular and tissue exposure, and the systematic investigation of different treatment scenarios should finally allow deriving optimized treatment strategies within PRESTO which can be used in treatment planning.

Your profile:

• Master’s degree and expertise in the physics of complex systems, medical physics or a related field
• Curious, open-minded, able to work in an international multidisciplinary team
• Basic knowledge of numerical methods 
• Basic programming skills, e.g., Python, Mathematica 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 26.125-1530 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.