PhD Students for spatial and temporal characterization of soft XFEL pulses

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.

For a research project in the X-ray Nano-Optics Group funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, we are looking for two PhD Students for spatial and temporal characterization of soft XFEL pulses using diffractive optical elements.

Your tasks

In this project, you will develop novel methods for the characterization of ultrashort X-ray pulses at Switzerland’s X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) facility SwissFEL regarding their wavefront, coherence, and pulse duration.

During your PhD you will:

• Design and build instrumentation for the characterization of short X-ray pulses;
• Design, fabricate and test diffractive X-ray optics by applying nanolithography techniques in PSI’s clean-room facility PICO;
• Design and carry out experiments for X-ray pulse characterization at SwissFEL and other XFEL facilities;
• Collaborate with a team of experts (scientists, engineers and technicians) for the above described tasks;
• Write and publish scientific articles and present your work at scientific workshops and conferences;
• Enroll to the PhD program at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Your profile

• You have a university master’s degree in natural sciences or engineering and have good command of written and spoken English.

Interest or knowledge in the following topics would be relevant for the project:

• Solid-state physics, X-ray physics and ultra-fast optics;
• Nanotechnology and nanolithography;
• Optical instrumentation, scientific image data processing;
• You like to collaborate and enjoy teamwork in a multidisciplinary environment with people from different backgrounds.

We offer

Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration.

You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.

For further information, please contact Dr Christian David, phone +41 56 310 37 53 or email christian.david@psi.ch.

Please submit your application online by 16 February 2025 (including addresses of referees) for the position as a PhD Student (index no. 6212-01).