Head (f/m/d) of Research Group at the Synchrotron BESSY II
Reference No.: GF 2025/5
Are you passionate about advancing materials research with innovative X-ray technologies? Do you want to help shape the future at an internationally renowned research center that is strongly committed to diversity and equality? As part of our Be4BESSY program, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy GmbH (HZB) is looking for outstanding scientists to work at BESSY II and contribute to its future development. At HZB, we are committed to addressing societal challenges through excellent fundamental and applied research, as well as through the development and operation of the German soft X-ray synchrotron source BESSY II. We strongly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply and contribute to shaping the future of (energy and quantum) materials research using synchrotron radiation. In 2025, HZB plans to establish up to three Be4BESSY groups, which may focus on the following areas: Battery materials research, catalysis research, sustainable chemistry, quantum materials, or an emerging field to be developed by the group leader.The Be4BESSY group leaders will have the opportunity to establish new groups, each consisting of two PhD positions in the respective research topics. The focus will be on fully exploiting the potential of selected experimental setups and/or beamlines at BESSY II, developing leadership skills, building strong networks for collaborative research, and strengthening the user service at the experimental level. The Be4BESSY groups will initially be funded for a period of five years, with an evaluation after three years. If the evaluation is positive, a permanent position will be offered to the group leader.
Your Tasks
- You will develop a world-leading research program for your Be4BESSY group and contribute to the realization of BESSY III at HZB.
- You will be responsible for the selected experimental setup and/or beamline and play an active role in supporting users at this setup (70% user support and 30% own research).
- You will improve measurement methods, advance your experiments, and expand the user base at your experimental setup.
- You will successfully apply for third-party funding to supplement the financial support provided by HZB.
- You will collaborate with scientists at HZB, other light sources, and the international research community, and participate in international conferences to disseminate your results.
Your Profile
- PhD in Physics, Chemistry, or a related field
- Extensive experience in the use and operation of state-of-the-art soft and tender X-ray beamlines as well as experimental setups, including user support
- Proven expertise in one of the above-mentioned research areas
- A strong scientific profile demonstrated by high-quality publications, conference presentations, and success in acquiring third-party funding
- Excellent networking and communication skills with a commitment to collaborative and inclusive research
- Very good English skills and the willingness to learn German
- International professional experience, initial experience in supervising students, and the ability to bring in existing collaborations are advantageous
Your Benefits
- Opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future in cooperation with leading international researchers
- Commitment to diversity and sustainability through an inclusive working environment, promotion of diversity sensitivity and implementation of sustainable and climate-neutral methods
- Career-enhancing networking opportunities and individual mentoring and support from the HZB Graduate Centre and HZB Postdoc Office
- Attractive remuneration through payment according to Public Service Wage Agreement (TVöD Bund)
- 30 days holiday/year
- Extensive additional benefits, such as company pension plan (VBL), subsidy for public transport (Deutschlandticket Job) and company sports programmes
- Good work-life balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flexitime, part-time, hybrid working
- And a team that is looking forward to meeting you!
Fixed term contract for 5 years. The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).
How to apply
Please upload the following documents with your application:• Motivation letter and research plan (in English and a maximum of three pages), including work packages for the next five years, in which you describe your background and research interests related to this position, as well as potential collaborators from academia or industry• Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing your education, publications, and research experience
• Academic transcripts
We look forward to receiving your application via our application management system by 04.05.2025. For reasons of data protection regulations, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by any other means (such as email or mail) in the application process.
We very much want our workplace to be diverse, and welcome applications from people with different backgrounds. It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce. We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women. Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.
For German version, please click on the following link: German Version.