The prestigious Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) has officially announced applications for its PhD student position in Lasers for Inertial Confinement Fusion under the IGNYTe Project, starting on September 1, 2025. International students passionate about cutting-edge laser science and clean energy research are encouraged to apply.
About the Opportunity
DESY is one of the world’s foremost research centres with an international reputation in the fields of particle physics, accelerator science, and photon science. With more than 2,900 employees across its Hamburg and Zeuthen campuses, DESY is home to ultramodern laboratories and global scientific collaborations.
Now, DESY is stepping into the future of fusion energy through the German Ministry’s Fusion 2040 programme, seeking two highly motivated PhD students to contribute to the IGNYTe Project—a mission to develop UV laser systems to drive forward inertial confinement fusion (ICF) technologies.
What Will You Work On?
Two specialized research roles are open:
1# Laser Development Position
-
- Design fibre or solid-state laser front-ends with coherent/incoherent seed sources
- Shape and control broadband nanosecond laser pulses
2# Broadband UV-Generation Position
-
- Build nonlinear multi-pass cells for UV spectral broadening
- Explore third-order nonlinearities for high-energy laser fields
General Responsibilities:
-
- Collaborate with international laser science teams
- Contribute to TRL advancement and system integration
- Present at global conferences and publish findings.
Why You Should Apply?
- Advance global fusion energy solutions
- Gain expertise in optics, photonics, and pulsed lasers
- Access world-class infrastructure and computing clusters
- Work in a diverse, international scientific community
- No teaching responsibilities – full-time research focus
- Receive TV-AVH level remuneration + Deutschland-Ticket support
Eligibility Criteria
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physics, optics, or a related discipline
- Minimum six months of hands-on laser lab experience
- Deep understanding of pulsed laser systems or nonlinear optics
- Teamwork and communication skills
- English language proficiency
- Motivation to contribute to fusion research
Note: DESY collaborates with University of Hamburg for doctoral conferral. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for PhD research at the University of Hamburg.
The last date to apply for the PhD Student Position – Lasers for Inertial Confinement Fusion at DESY is June 30, 2025.