PhD Position (f/m/d) for Aberration Modeling in High-Energy Lasers part-time (65%)

The GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt operates one of the world’s leading particle accelerator facilities for fundamental research. Together with international partners, GSI is currently building the new FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research), one of the largest research projects worldwide. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work in an international environment with a dedicated team committed to world-class science.

For the research project Adaptive Laser Architecture Development and INtegration (ALADIN) , we are seeking, as soon as possible, a

PhD Position (f/m/d) for Aberration Modeling in High-Energy Lasers

part-time (65%)
Reference Number: 25.70-1700

Project Context (ALADIN & PHELIX)

In inertial confinement fusion, fuel capsules are compressed using laser energy until nuclear fusion is initiated. For use in commercial fusion power plants, highly stable laser beams are essential, which in turn require novel beam control concepts. Developing these concepts requires a fundamental understanding of dynamic aberrations and the ability to replicate them in test setups. This is the core focus of the advertised PhD project.
The experimental work will be conducted on the PHELIX laser at GSI Darmstadt , Germany’s only high-energy laser system based on Nd:glass technology. As part of the project, a permanent testbed for beam control development will be established, which the PhD candidate will actively help to design and construct.

Your Responsibilities:

• Analysis and modeling of dynamic aberrations in various high-power laser systems across Europe
• Development of a parametric real-time model to simulate beam dynamics
• Experimental validation of the model within the newly built ALADIN testbed
• Participation in measurement campaigns at the PHELIX laser and other major European research facilities
• Integration of the model into a control system for adaptive laser optics.

Your Profile:

• Completed university degree in physics, engineering, optics or a related field
• Experience or strong interest in laser physics, adaptive optics or optical metrology
• Programming skills (preferably in C++, Python, LabVIEW, Bash)
• Team spirit and a high level of initiative in an experimental setting
• Willingness to travel for short-term research stays abroad (max. 2 weeks per stay)
• Driving license (Class B)
• Language skills: Fluency in German and English.

We Offer:

• Employment at GSI with the PhD awarded by TU Darmstadt, supervised by Prof. Vincent Bagnoud’s group
• Research at the interface between fundamental and applied laser physics
• Work on an innovation-driven greenfield project within a young, dynamic research team
• Direct involvement in international collaborations with European research institutions
• Contribution to a long-term research effort with significance for the future of fusion energy
• Opportunity for professional and personal development in a high-caliber scientific environment
• Flexible work arrangements including up to two remote work days per week

The duration of the position is limited to an initial term of 36 months.

The salary is based on the German civil service employees (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst - TVöD (Bund)).

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

Severely handicapped persons will be preferentially considered when equally qualified.

For more information on FAIR and GSI, please visit www.gsi.de and www.fair-center.eu .
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Jonas Ohland ( j.b.ohland@gsi.de (mailto:j.b.ohland@gsi.de) ), Tel. +49 6151-71-3381).

If you see this role as an exciting personal challenge and would like to work in an exceptional scientific environment, please submit your complete application, earliest possible start date, and the reference number 25.70-1700 no later than 14.08.2025 via our online application portal :

Online-Bewerbungsportal

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH

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64291 DARMSTADT