Job Description

PhD Student in Condensed Matter Physics

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 the PEARL beamline at the Swiss Light Source we are looking for a

Your tasks

Study the atomic and electronic structure of altermagnetic materials using photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, ARPES) and scanning probe microscopy (STM, AFM) at PSI and other synchrotron light sources (experimental focus)
Maintain and develop instrumentation and data analysis tools in collaboration with the team
Collaborate with experimental and theoretical partners
Assist external users in performing experiments at the Pearl beamline
Present results at conferences and in journal articles
Pursue a doctoral degree in physics and participate in teaching activities at the University of Zurich

Your profile

Master’s degree in physics or a related field
Practical experience with scanning probe (STM, AFM), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, ARPES), and/or other surface analysis techniques
Motivated to work with complex instrumentation and in a small international team
Demonstrated programming skills (e.g. Python) for data analysis
Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English

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 Matthias Muntwiler, phone +41 56 310 51 38.

Please submit your application online by 15 September 2026 (including addresses of referees) for the position as a PhD student (Index-Nr. 6215-29324).

Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Emily Kulowatz, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland

www.psi.ch

About PSI Paul Scherrer Institut

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI develops, builds and operates large, complex research facilities and makes them available to the national and international research community. The institute's own key research priorities are in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. 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 2200 people, thus being the largest research institute in Switzerland. The annual budget amounts to approximately CHF 400 million. PSI is part of the ETH Domain, with the other members being the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne, as well as Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research).

For more information, please visit www.psi.ch/en

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Industry

Biotech & Life Sciences

Company Size

1,001-5,000 employees

Headquarters

Villigen PSI, CH

Year Founded

1988

Website

psi.ch

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