The Department of Physical Chemistry, led by Prof. Martin Wolf, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our group working on Ultrafast Core-Level Spectroscopy of strongly correlated and 2D van der Waals materials, in collaboration with Prof. Jens Biegert (ICFO, Barcelona).
The successful candidate will explore ultrafast phase transitions, Mott physics, and coupled electron–lattice dynamics in correlated materials employing our newly developed lab-based time-resolved soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (tr-XAS) beamline. The position offers the opportunity to play a leading role in designing and performing time-resolved experiments, analyzing spectroscopic data, and interpreting results in close collaboration with theoretical partners.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
- Conduct time-resolved soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (tr-XAS) and develop novel applications for emerging solid-state materials.
- Study photoinduced ultrafast phase transitions.
- Explore electron–phonon coupling and phonon-assisted optical processes.
- Investigate femtosecond structural and electronic dynamics in quantum materials and 2D van der Waals systems.
- Have the possibility to develop and perform liquid-jet tr-XAS experiments.
This position offers the opportunity to conduct pioneering research addressing fundamental questions in condensed phase systems.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
- Access to a world-class laboratory with strong analytical and technical infrastructure.
- An attractive, friendly and respectful international working environment.
- A position as a public servant in the TVÖD-E13 payment scheme is initially limited to 2 years.
- Extensive on-site technical training and attractive individualized training opportunities, e.g., through the Planck Academy.
- Modern and predominantly electronic workflows.
- Subsidy for the job ticket.
- Very good connections to public transport, bicycle parking, and charging stations for e-cars.
Requirements
- Successfully completed PhD degree in physics or a related subject.
- Research experience with advanced ultrafast pump–probe X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
- Strong background in solid state physics, many-body physics and electron correlation phenomena.
- Research experience with strongly correlated systems or 2D van der Waals materials.
- Excellent communication skills, and in particular good command of the English language.
- Programming skills: Python, MATLAB, Wolfram Mathematica, EPICS etc.
In addition, experience in the following areas is advantageous:
- Experience with X-ray beamline instrumentation.
- Experience in simulating X-ray absorption spectra (e.g., Finite Difference Method Near Edge Structure - FDMNES)
- Experience with density functional theory (DFT) calculations (e.g., Quantum ESPRESSO, Elk Code).
Application Documents
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications
- Names and email addresses of three references.
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline
Not SpecifiedHow To Apply
Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to
Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science on jobs.fhi.mpg.de to apply
- Applications will be accepted immediately until the position is filled. Max Planck Institute thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
For enquiries, please contact:
Dr. Ugaitz Elu ([email protected]) or Prof. Martin Wolf ([email protected])
Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Faradayweg 4-6
14195 Berlin
Germany
For more information, kindly visit Max Planck Institute scholarship webpage.
