PhD Student (f/m/d) Controlling Beam Transport and Quality in High-Power Lasers using Machine Learning

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Institute of Radiation Physics conducts research for states of matter under extreme conditions and in very small dimensions.

The Department of Laser Particle Acceleration is looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d) Controlling Beam Transport and Quality in High-Power Lasers using Machine Learning. 

Your tasks

• Establishment of impactful parameters of High-power-laser beam quality with domain experts
• Analysis of available data and measurement modalities to choose potentially viable modeling approaches from literature
• Implementation of data-driven models and optimization techniques, combining machine learning methods and classical modelling, to establish strategies for beam-quality optimization
• Evaluation of model performance and extraction of root cause for model performance to refine chosen approaches or find new ones
• Integration and application of developed strategies in existing laser setups in collaboration with partners
• Dissemination of results via conferences and peer-reviewed publications

Your profile

• Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Physics (preferably Laser or accelerator physics), Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or related field
• Mastery and use of the scientific method
• Experience in numerical modeling and automation
• Knowledge about machine learning
• Experience in theoretical laser of accelerator physics is a plus
• Independent, investigative working style
• Interest to work in an interdisciplinary environment
• Actively seeking input and openly sharing results and knowledge in a team
• Good programming skills in languages such as Python, Julia or C++
• Basic knowledge of modern deep learning frameworks (e.g. pyTorch)
• Knowledge of collaborative software development tools (e.g. Version control: Git)
• Experience working in Linux shell/cluster environment and on shared resources is a plus

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.