Research Associate for the Project “Controlling chirality at extreme timescales” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics, DESY

Start date: 01.10.2026, for a period of three years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance withthe academic fixed-term labor contract act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG)

Application deadline: 2026-08-31

Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time

Salary in line with the for MSCA regulations

The EU-funded Horizon Europe Doctoral Network TRILOGY advances the emerging field of ultrafast chirality by exploiting attosecond light-driven electron dynamics to overcome the limits of conventional chiro-optical methods. Targeting applications in the life sciences and advanced technologies, it develops next-generation, high-sensitivity spectroscopic tools to excite and probe electron motion in chiral molecules, supported by close collaboration with industrial partners to enable rapid translation into applications.

TRILOGY brings together 11 leading institutions across Europe to train 16 Doctoral Candidates at the forefront of theory and experiment in ultrafast science. The programme offers a unique, interdisciplinary environment and equips researchers with highly competitive skills spanning fundamental physics, technology development, and industry. More general Info can be found here:

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.

A PhD project is available in the newly funded EU MCSA doctoral network TRILOGY working on ultrafast chirality in the group of Prof. Dr. Francesca Calegari at the University of Hamburg and DESY, Hamburg, Germany.

Goals:

Following our recent work on ultrafast chiroptical switching (Nature 630, 109–115 (2024)), the student will have the exciting opportunity to expand this research towards controlling the chiral properties of molecules (including chiral electronic currents, spin currents, enantioselective charge-directed reacticity) at the most extreme timescales (from few-femtoseconds down to attoseconds). The student will:

1. realise spectral and polarisation shaping of broadband and tuneable UV /VUV sources
2. measure time-dependent chiral responses in electronically excited chiral molecules via PECD, PXCD, MOCD and vectorial interferometry approaches
3. control the chiral-optical response of chiral molecules via electronic coherences and use chiral light to establish similar protocols in achiral molecules
4. work in close collaboration with our theory partners to study charge and spin dynamics in chiral molecules

These goals will be pursued in collaboration with internationally renowned partners in ultrafast science and chirality within the Trilogy Network. The PhD project includes and funds two 3-months research stays in partner institutions.

Your profile

Applicants should have

• strong interest in chirality, optics, ultrafast lasers and ultrafast phenomena
• master’s degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, engineering or a related subject
• solid background in light-matter interactions and laser physics and proven experimental activity in a lab
• experience in ultrafast science and/or attosecond science is considered a plus
• solid English (both written and oral) and general communication skills
• desire to learn and to do original research in an interdisciplinary team

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

The successful candidate will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the regulations for Early-Stage Researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The gross monthly salary is 4.720 EUR, in addition a monthly family allowance of 660 EUR may apply if the requirements are met. Furthermore, TRILOGY will offer to take advantage of joint scientific research trainings, transferable skills workshops, and international conferences. We refer to the .

The environment:

Hamburg is a vibrant city in the north of Germany, with a long-standing history of being open to the world and ranked among the top 20 most livable cities worldwide. The Calegari's group is part of the Center for Free Electron Laser Science (CFEL) located on the DESY campus embedded in a rich research environment. The group is also part of the cluster “AIM: Centre for Ultrafast Imaging” within the national Excellence Initiative for which Calegari is one of the Spokespersons.

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

The University of Hamburg strives to increase the number of women in academia, and encourages qualified female academics to apply. Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Prof. Dr. Francesca Calegari

Location

Notkestraße 85
22607 Hamburg

Reference number

160

Application deadline

2026-08-31

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• a letter of motivation referring to the targeted DC vacancy (with DC vacancy number), explaining why you apply for this position, why you believe you have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully carry out the research project, and how a PhD would suit your career objectives
• a CV with details on education, employment, publications, and eventual first research experience
• two reference contacts
• certified copies of Bachelor and Master diplomas or a certified copy of the Bachelor diploma and a letter informing of the future date of obtaining of the Master degree
• transcripts of the notes obtained for all courses of the Bachelor and Master degrees

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.