Research Associate for the Development and Application of Foundation Models for Particle Physics

Research Associate for the Development and Application of Foundation Models for Particle Physics Research § 28 Subsection 1 HmbHG

InstitutionFaculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics, Institute of Experimental Physics

Salary level

Start date01.11.2026 (a later start is possible), fixed for a period of three years. (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline13.09.2026

Scope of workpart-time

Weekly hours66,67 % of standard work hours per week

Your responsibilities

Research associates will be expected primarily to teach and conduct research. The research associate will also have the opportunity to pursue further academic qualifications, in particular a doctoral dissertation. At least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the research associate’s own academic work.

Foundation models are multi-dataset multi-task machine learning models that after pre-training can be fine-tuned to previously unseen problems. Benefitting from many examples seen in the training phase, they achieve very good performance with comparatively few new examples for a given task. Since the publication of “OmniJet Alpha -- the first cross-task foundation model for particle physics” in 2024, our group has been active in developing, studying, and scaling such models.

The successful candidate will join our efforts to further develop foundation models for the application in particle physics. They will also work on evaluating their performance on data recorded by the CMS experiment.

Our group consists of more than 60 members and is deeply involved in everything from machine learning over detector R&D as well as calibration and data analysis of the CMS experiment. Interested candidates will be offered the opportunity of own research, advanced training and development of teaching skills in a stimulating scientific environment.

A close collaboration exists with other research groups in experimental and theoretical physics of the University and of DESY located on the same campus. Our group is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Quantum Universe” which performs research to understand mass and gravity at the interface between quantum physics and cosmology. The research team includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology at the University of Hamburg and DESY. Beyond Hamburg, we closely collaborate with other nationally and internationally leading groups on the development of AI techniques for fundamental physics, for example via the BMBF funded consortium SciFM for foundation models.

The position provides for 2.5 teaching hours per week.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

Excellent English communication skills are required.

Excellent candidates will have prior knowledge of high energy physics as well as practical experience in deep learning methods. Candidates with experience in analyzing proton-proton collision data or with developing transformer-based architectures or related ML techniques for particle physics are preferred.

Successful candidates are expected to pursue a PhD in Physics at the University of Hamburg. The regular duration of a PhD at the Department of Physics is three years.

We offer

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

The University of Hamburg strives to increase the number of women in academia, and encourages qualified female academics to apply.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Notice regarding the background check under Section 34a of the Hamburg security clearance act (Gesetz zur Regelung der Sicherheitsüberprüfungen, HmbSÜG): On behalf of the person chosen in the selection procedure, this office submits an inquiry to the state office for the protection of the constitution (Landesamt für Verfassungsschutz) regarding any available findings/information which meet the statutory requirements ( and ).