PhD Student (part-time 65%) (Medical Physicist)

The GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt operates one of the leading particle accelerator facilities for science. Currently, the new FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) facility is being built in international cooperation, one of the largest research projects worldwide. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work in this international environment with a team of employees who are committed every day to conducting science at a world-class level.

The Biophysics department of GSI is highly interdisciplinary. The multidisciplinary research covers a wide spectrum of topics – from radiation biology, radiation physics, and space research to radiotherapy.

The "Particle Therapy Physics" working group is dedicated to the further development of ion beam therapy by improving the precision and effectiveness of treatment. The focus of our research lies on the optimization of dosimetry, increasing beam conformity, and exploring novel irradiation approaches, such as proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT).

As part of the research project PIANOFORTE-PRESTO (PRotontherapy Enhancement by Spatially Fractionated Treatment Optimization), we are looking for a

PhD Student (part-time 65%)

Reference number: 26.124-1590

While conventional therapeutic irradiation procedures in tumor treatment usually aim for a homogeneous dose distribution, it has been demonstrated that the application of extremely inhomogeneous fields in the (sub-)millimeter range – so-called "minibeams" – enables the sparing of normal tissue without compromising the healing success in tumor treatment. While this offers new opportunities, various challenges must still be overcome before conducting clinical studies. In particular, strategies for the irradiation of large clinical target volumes must be established, and dosimetric methods for verifying these highly inhomogeneous fields must be developed.

Within the framework of the PRESTO project, we are responsible for dosimetry, beam modulation, characterization, and application, as well as radiation instrumentation. While the majority of the preparation and evaluation work takes place at GSI, several experimental campaigns are also planned at the DCPT in Aarhus.

Your profile:

• Master's degree and specialist knowledge in medical physics, biomedical engineering, detector physics, or a related field
• Great interest in dosimetry and particle therapy
• Curiosity, openness, and the ability to collaborate in an international, multidisciplinary team
• Basic knowledge of detector systems for particle physics
• Basic programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar languages)
• Fluent English skills, both written and spoken
• German language skills are an advantage.

We offer an interesting and varied activity in an internationally renowned research institution.

The position is limited to 3 years. The salary is based on the TVöD (Bund) collective agreement.

GSI promotes the professional development of women and welcomes applications from women who feel particularly addressed by this advertisement.

Severely disabled persons will receive preference if they have equal qualifications.

Further information about GSI and FAIR can be found at www.gsi.de (http://www.gsi.de) as well as www.fair-center.eu (http://www.fair-center.eu).

Please send your complete application documents, including your salary expectations, stating the reference number 26.124-1590, via the online portal on our website no later than 04.09.2026.

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH

Abteilung Personal

Planckstraße 1

64291 Darmstadt