Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. In research and academic programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature, facilitating interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, it offers attractive working conditions to all employees in teaching, research, technology and administration. The goal is to promote and develop their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. TUD embodies a university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

At the Faculty Physics, Institute of Solid State and Materials Physics, the Chair of Physics of Quantum Materials offers a position as

Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x) (subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)

starting at the earliest possible date. The position is limited to three years, with the possibility of extension and entails 75% of the full-time weekly hours. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification (usually PhD).

Tasks: The Chair of "Physics of Quantum Materials" () is seeking a motivated researcher to investigate unconventional electron-phonon coupling effects in two-dimensional superconductors . The successful candidate will employ high-resolution Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to identify, characterize, and understand structural instabilities in these materials, with measurements conducted as a function of hydrostatic pressure, uniaxial stress, and temperature. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations can complement the experimental work.

You will have access to unique experimental facilities and work within the Cluster of Excellence "Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter" ( ctd.qmat ), a collaborative research hub jointly run by TU Dresden and the University of Würzburg. We are looking for a researcher who enjoys teamwork, creative problem solving, and pushing the boundaries of experimental solid-state physics.

Requirements:

a very good university degree in physics (Master or Diploma) a strong interest in quantum materials research a solid foundation in condensed matter physics hands-on experience in the relevant experimental methodology fluency in English The ideal candidate is creative, self-driven, and motivated to carry out practical experimental work, while also being eager to integrate into the existing team and take on responsibility.

We offer:

intensive mentoring in an attractive scientific environment combined with an excellent infrastructure the project promotes collaboration in an established, interdisciplinary team of experimental physicists and theorists various opportunities for collaboration with other working groups 30 days of vacation per year (based on a 5-day workweek) flexible working hours and mobile working within the framework of the TUD's service agreements annual bonus payment Job ticket/Deutschlandticket health care and sports facilities at the TUD a family-friendly working environment in a city of science and culture surrounded by unique countryside.

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Application: Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents quoting the reference number w26-100 by May 15, 2026 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal by sending it as a single pdf file to [email protected] or to:

TU Dresden, Institute of Solid State and Materials Physics, Prof. Dr. Jochen Geck, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany.

Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: .

Company

TU Dresden

Excellence – A matter close to our hearts

Excellence? Elitism? Opportunity or risk? The Excellence Programme, initially launched in 2005 by the German government has aroused passionate debate right from the start and still has the potential to polarise opinion.

TU Dresden (TUD) looks at it this way: excellence is all about performance and having the right attitude. For everyone here at TU Dresden – one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany since 2012 – it is also a matter very close to our hearts. Firstly because of the extra motivation and impetus generated, and secondly, because of the way we handle this role.

Our vision for the future can be summed up as follows: “Let us become one of the leading centres for research and teaching, with our own individual character and a special talent for networking, able to attract the best minds in Germany and from further afield.” After all, it is a well-known fact that excellence in research and teaching presupposes excellent conditions. Or, to put it figuratively, for excellent crop yields, you need the right soil and weather.

TU Dresden is a comprehensive university with 18 faculties and works in close collaboration with its top performers: three Clusters of Excellence, including the “Centre for Tactile Internet” (CeTI) , the Cluster “Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter” (ct.qmat) and the Cluster “Physics of Life” (PoL) . The guiding principle here is that strong individual elements become even stronger when they work together.

The vision for the future takes this principle beyond the confines of the university: with the research network DRESDEN-concept ( D resden R esearch and E ducation S ynergies for the D evelopment of E xcellence and N ovelty), TU Dresden has been creating an alliance of research and cultural facilities in the city, an “excellent playground for excellent people”. This bond is unique in Germany and has evolved over many years. It is not necessary to create anything new here, as it is simply a matter of building further storeys on top of an already solid structure. The measures envisaged as part of the DRESDEN-concept contribute to the overall development of TU Dresden and form an integral part of the university strategy.

Excellence is understood and practised in Dresden as an opportunity for the entire university, and in this spirit, TU Dresden takes those measures that lead to excellence – by the university, for the university – in cooperation with colleagues here and all over the world. But at the same time neither elitist nor exclusive. TUD’s excellence comes from the heart – from and for our about 32,400 students, 600 professors and about 8,400 members of staff. In this way, excellence becomes the basis, the objective, the approach and the driving force. And that’s why being a top performer can also be so rewarding and enjoyable.

Campus Image © Nils Eisfeld

Company info

Location

Dresden
01069 Dresden
Germany