PhD student (f/m/d) for ultrafast dynamics studies - part-time (29,25 hrs/week)

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 22 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Programme UE : Not funded by a EU programme Référence : S-687 Département : MID Domaine : Physics » Condensed matter properties

X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy (XSVS) extends X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) to the study of ultrafast dynamics (fs-ns range) beyond current XPCS limitations. One XSVS method is to generate pulse pairs (twin pulses) separated by a specific and tuneable time delay t. Recording radiation scattered from a sample illuminated by twin pulses allows to determine whether the sample is static or there are structural changes happening over t. XSVS is based on an analysis of the speckle contrast originating from illumination of the sample by a coherent X-ray beam. XFELs are ideal sources to generate such ultrashort pulse pairs and we will explore two methods: 1) using a crystal-based split-and-delay line (SDL) and 2) generating the twin-pulses using the linac, beyond the 4.5 MHz rate available today as a standard. Nanosecond dynamics of nanometre sized objects in aqueous solutions will be targeted to demonstrate the uniqueness of the method. Applications to nanoparticle diffusion, complex fluids, and supersaturated solutions are foreseen. The project is partially funded by the Cluster of Excellence “BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials” which is a new research initiatives managed by the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH, AG Prof. Dr. Patrick Huber) and where EuXFEL is a collaborator. The successful candidate will integrate into the MID team at EuXFEL but will also connect with BlueMat partners and interdisciplinary teams that combine science, sustainability, and technology. The PhD project is organized over workpackages: WP-1: exploration of twin pulses created by the accelerator. WP-2: exploration of twin pulses created by the SDL WP-3: benchmarking experiment based on diffusion of nanoparticles in water WP-4: structure and dynamics of supersaturated solutions The tasks for this position are therefore: Participate in commissioning experiments of the upgraded X-ray split-delay line (SDL) at MID Participate in research projects associated with measuring dynamics using the x-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy (XSVS) technique provided by the SDL and the linac Working together with BlueMat partners and interdisciplinary teams Complete and defend doctoral thesis This project aims to push XSVS as a novel X-ray scattering technique for dynamics of Blue Materials. There is synergy with other BlueMat cross-area imaging projects and close coordination and collaboration are anticipated within the Excellence Cluster. Duration This appointment is limited to 3 years.

X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy (XSVS) extends X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) to the study of ultrafast dynamics (fs-ns range) beyond current XPCS limitations. One XSVS method is to generate pulse pairs (twin pulses) separated by a specific and tuneable time delay t. Recording radiation scattered from a sample illuminated by twin pulses allows to determine whether the sample is static or there are structural changes happening over t. XSVS is based on an analysis of the speckle contrast originating from illumination of the sample by a coherent X-ray beam. XFELs are ideal sources to generate such ultrashort pulse pairs and we will explore two methods: 1) using a crystal-based split-and-delay line (SDL) and 2) generating the twin-pulses using the linac, beyond the 4.5 MHz rate available today as a standard. Nanosecond dynamics of nanometre sized objects in aqueous solutions will be targeted to demonstrate the uniqueness of the method. Applications to nanoparticle diffusion, complex fluids, and supersaturated solutions are foreseen. The project is partially funded by the Cluster of Excellence “BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials” which is a new research initiatives managed by the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH, AG Prof. Dr. Patrick Huber) and where EuXFEL is a collaborator. The successful candidate will integrate into the MID team at EuXFEL but will also connect with BlueMat partners and interdisciplinary teams that combine science, sustainability, and technology. The PhD project is organized over workpackages: WP-1: exploration of twin pulses created by the accelerator. WP-2: exploration of twin pulses created by the SDL WP-3: benchmarking experiment based on diffusion of nanoparticles in water WP-4: structure and dynamics of supersaturated solutions

The tasks for this position are therefore:

Participate in commissioning experiments of the upgraded X-ray split-delay line (SDL) at MID

Participate in research projects associated with measuring dynamics using the x-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy (XSVS) technique provided by the SDL and the linac

Working together with BlueMat partners and interdisciplinary teams

Complete and defend doctoral thesis This project aims to push XSVS as a novel X-ray scattering technique for dynamics of Blue Materials. There is synergy with other BlueMat cross-area imaging projects and close coordination and collaboration are anticipated within the Excellence Cluster.

Duration

This appointment is limited to 3 years.

Where to apply Website https://xfel.hr4you.org/job/view/330/phd-student-f-m-d-for-ultrafast-dynamics-s…