Company Description

Negative ions are present in many natural environments, and they are used in many modern applications. Their unique properties make them ideal quantum systems ideal for benchmarking state of the art theories in atomic and molecular physics.

The EU-funded Horizon Europe Doctoral Network (DN) Physics and Applications of Negative ions (PANIONS) aims at substantially advancing our understanding of negative ions beyond the state-of-the-art from atomic to cosmic scales and bridging the gap between fundamental science and applications. Our interdisciplinary approach will be implemented by employing advanced theoretical models and sophisticated experimental methods. Key properties of atomic and molecular anions and their interactions with other particles will be investigated to fully describe negative ions in a variety of environments, from vacuum to plasmas, interstellar clouds and planetary surfaces. Experiments will be conducted at leading European research infrastructures. The host institutes are academic institutions, but each position will include an internship at a relevant industrial company.

PANIONS will train 14 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) across 11 host institutions across Europe in various fields, where negative ions is the common denominator. In this vacancy 11 positions will be announced. Students enrolled in the program will acquire a comprehensive skillset that is relevant to essentially any field of advanced science and technology which will prepare them for future careers in academia and industry.

The following DCs positions are available:

DC2: Theoretical investigations of structure and properties of negatively charged atoms and molecules; Host country:The Netherlands; Host beneficiary: University of Groningen; PhD-awarding institution: University of Groningen; Planned collaborations (secondments): Comenius University Bratislava, Q-Chem, Inc. Contact: https://www.rug.nl/staff/a.borschevsky/

DC3: Inner-shell photodetachment of atomic and molecular anions; Host country: Germany; Host beneficiary: Justus Liebig Universität Giessen; PhD-awarding institution: Justus Liebig Universität Giessen; Planned collaborations (secondments): Stockholm University, ArianeGroup GmbH. Contact: schippers@jlug.de

DC5: Theoretical investigation of molecular anions; Host country: Slovakia; Host beneficiary: Comenius University Bratislava; PhD-awarding institution: Comenius University Bratislava; Planned collaborations (secondments); Radboud University, Q-Chem, Inc. Contact: https://fns.uniba.sk/en/lukas-felix-pasteka/

DC6: Cooling and photodetachment of isolated anions under interstellar conditions; Host country: Germany; Host beneficiary: Max Planck Gesellschaft; PhD-awarding institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; Planned collaborations (secondments): The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Stockholm University, MRC Systems GmbH. Contact: holger.kreckel@mpi-hd.mpg.de

DC7: Vibrational spectroscopy of molecular anions relevant in interstellar and planetary chemistry; Host country: The Netherlands; Host beneficiary: Radboud University; PhD-awarding institution: Radboud University; Planned collaborations (secondments): Comenius University Bratislava, MRC Systems GmbH/ Max Planck Gesellschaft. Contact: sandra.bruenken@ru.nl

DC8: Experimental visualisation of ion driven molecular dynamics; Host country:Israel; Host beneficiary: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; PhD-awarding institution: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Planned collaborations (secondments): Stockholm University, Quantum-art. Contact: strasser@huji.ac.il

DC9: State-selective anion-cation reactions; Host country: Sweden; Host beneficiary: Stockholm University; PhD-awarding institution:Stockholm University; Planned collaborations (secondments): Max Planck Gesellschaft Heidelberg, BLUEWAVE Microsystems AB. Contact: schmidt@fysik.su.se

DC10: Accelerator mass spectrometry for Astrophysics; Host country: Austria; Host beneficiary: University of Vienna; PhD-awarding institution; University of Vienna; Planned collaborations (secondments): Comenius University Bratislava, University of Gothenburg, Hubner Photonics GmbH & Co. KG. Contact: robin.golser@univie.ac.at

DC11: Isotope effects (H-, D-) in negative ion sources for fusion; Host country: Germany; Host beneficiary: Max Planck Gesellschaft; PhD-awarding institution: University of Augsburg; Planned collaborations (secondments): CERN, Dehnel - Particle Accelera-tor Components & Engineer-ing, Inc. Contact: ursel.fantz@ipp.mpg.de

DC12: Efficient negative ion sources for radioactive species; Host country: Switzerland; Host beneficiary: CERN; PhD-awarding institution:University of Gothenburg; Planned collaborations (secondments): Artemis Analytical Ltd., University of Gothenburg. Contact: Sebastian.rothe@cern.ch or mia.au@cern.ch

DC13: Density functional theory of anions; Host country; Israel; Host beneficiary: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; PhD-awarding institution: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Planned collaborations (secondments): University of Vienna, Q-Chem, Inc. Contact: roi.baer@huji.ac.il

Contact email for general application questions: panions@gu.se

For questions and contact to the specific DC projects, emails of the supervisors are on the link to each of the positions.

Note that we do not welcome emails from (nor we will reply to) recruiting agencies or commercial entities wishing to advertise our vacancies further.

Diversity is an integral part of PANIONS, as well as the EU's mission.

All members of PANIONS (including the supervisors making the selection) believe in fostering a research culture where everyone feels encouraged to collaborate, and hold this particularly important when training new scientists. PANIONS members have been encouraged to recognize their own biases [1] and follow their institution’s equality, diversity and inclusion training as well as unconscious bias training in a critical manner [2].

Additional Note: The "gender” field gives the option of two entries (M and F) and currently does not technically allow for another gender entry. In case you hold a third gender, please add this info to your CV, and we will disregard the answer given in the gender field.

Note that this information as well as the info on nationality is exclusively used to monitor whether we have a sufficient number of applicants and suitable candidates from underrepresented categories in this field.

Job Description

Welcome to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions

As a recent graduate from university or advanced technical institute, you’re no doubt looking for the chance to make your mark. Here it is: we seek lively and inquiring minds with a heightened sense of curiosity to take part in projects of advanced development work, in a broad range of applied sciences and engineering fields.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions train young researchers, building the careers of tomorrow’s leaders in research and industry.

What could be a better boost for your career than becoming an Early Career Stage Researcher in an Innovative Training Networks project within the framework of the prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie programs?

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a place on the project you will need to meet the following requirements:

At the time of recruitment:

• Be in possession of a university degree (MSc) or corresponding qualification allowing you to embark on a doctorate. Candidates who are currently studying for their MSc may apply if they will finish before June 2025, however, the PANIONS contract cannot begin until the MSc is completed).
• Be in your first 4 years of your full-time research career (after obtaining your degree (MSc)).
• Must NOT hold a PhD yet.
• Must apply for a position in a European Country where you did not live or work for more than 12 months in the last three years at the day of recruitment.
• In the application you may select up to 3 positions of interest. Please make sure that you satisfy the mobility requirements for each of your selected DC positions.
• Candidates of any nationality can apply to all academic positions.
• Proficiency in English is required and a certificate of proficiency is required for certain positions.

Additional Information

All ESR positions offer:

• An employment contract for 36 months according to MSCA conditions, and a new contract for possible extensions to complete a PhD according to the individual country hosting the position beyond the duration of the project.
• The stipend granted by the EU is EUR 4010 brut + EUR 710 mobility + country coefficient factor if applicable. The allowance may be increased depending on the hosting organization.
• In accordance with the European Commission’s allowances for ITNs, a training allowance covers training activities, conference attendance, etc.

This is how you can apply:

You will need the following documents to complete your application:

• A personal letter
• A cv
• A copy of the last (highest) qualification including transcript of records
• Contact details of two academic or professional references (name, position, e-mail, telephone and indicating the relationship with the applicant)

Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the closing date and will include a video interview.

Employment contracts are expected start as of 01/01/2026.

Note that your application will be viewed by all the members of the network who are offering the DC positions.

Closing date: 30/09/2025