Jobs and Theses

We are constantly looking for talented and motivated students and physicists to join our team, either for your Bachelor's or Master's thesis, as a technical or a PhD student. Sometimes there are also positions for Postdocs. Here is a non-exhaustive list of possible thesis topics. In case you already have your own idea, which fits in our research, do not hesitate to ask! Contact either Prof. Bernhard Ketzer or the contact person listed for the specific research topic.

Job offers

Thesis topics: Physics data analysis

Are you interested in cutting-edge physics, large-scale experiments, and working with some exciting data? Then join us at the COMPASS, AMBER or ALICE experiment.

What you will do:

Analyze real experimental data, taken at CERN
Handle and process large datasets using tools like ROOT and Python/C++
Simulate detector responses and particle interactions

What you will gain:

Advanced skills in data science, C++, and ROOT for high-energy physics
Opportunity to visit CERN, collaborate with international researchers, and even take data-taking shifts in the control rooms
Insight into how large-scale physics experiments are conducted and how new discoveries are made
A solid foundation for a future PhD or career in academia, research, or industry

Data analysis for heavy flavour physics in ALICE (Master / Bachelor)

Join us in exploring how heavy quarks (charm and beauty) help us understanding the early universe within the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider.

You may learn about and apply modern machine learning techniques to identify and classify heavy flavour signals.

For more information please feel free to contact Samrangy Sadhu

Transition from Breit-Wigner paramters to pole positions (Bachelor / Master)

The COMPASS experiment has taken the larges pion proton scattering data in the high energy regime, to date. Our high statistical precision requires a deeper understanding of the resonance model that is fit to the data.

You have the chance to study light meson resonances, with the partial-wave analysis technique, where the comunity transitions from Breit-Wigner descriptions to the K-Matrix formalism at the moment. It is vital to understand the differences and study and compare the two models.

You should be enthusiastic in working with complex mathematical models. In addition, you will learn to write efficient code in c++ or python.

Responsible: Max Hariegel and David Spülbeck

Branching ratios for the π_1(1600) at COMPASS (Bachelor / Master)

The COMPASS experiment has measured the π_1(1600) in multiple final states, such as πππ, f_1π, ηπ and η'π. In order to nail down its interpreatation as the lightest hybrid meson it is important to make a clean statement of the branching ratio for the π_1(1600) into different channels.

You will finalize a formalism to extract these branching ratios and play a key role in publishing this exciting news.

Responsible: David Spülbeck

Monte Carlo studies for spectroscopy at AMBER (Master / (Bachelor))

In the coming years, the AMBER experiment plans to take data with kaon beams on proton targets. It is essential to investigate the acceptance of the apperatus for any physics program.

In the scope of a Master (Bachelor) thesis, we offer you the chance to simulate, with existing Monte Carlo software, the AMBER detectors and study the acceptance of the upcoming kaon physics.

In particular, you will study improvements for the particle identification, which is the key for precision spectroscopy of light kaon resonances. You have the chance to study the influence of different beam energies and RICH gases and make a large contribution to design choices for the upcoming data taking period.

One important step of testing different scenarios is to simulate physics events according to partial wave amplitudes and investigate acceptence effects with input output studies.

You will gain deep insights into modern partial-wave analysis techniques, which is crucial for discovering meson resonances.

Large scale Monte Carlo simulations are only possible on large computer clusters. You will have the chance to operate the BAF2 cluster from Bonn and produce terra bytes of data.

Responsible: Martin Hoffmann, Henri Pekeler and David Spülbeck

Monte Carlo Studies for Proton Radius at AMBER (Bachelor / Master)

The AMBER experiment is approaching physics data taking for the proton charge radius measurement in 2026.
Currently, we are investigating different aspects and optimisations for the setup using Monte Carlo simulations.

In the scope of a thesis, you can improve the simulations to make them more realistic. These effects can be compared to data measured during a Pilot Run.
This includes the addition of several physics effects like alpha sources or inelastic scattering.

Responsible: Martin Hoffmann

Thesis topics: Detector developement

Characterization of semiconductor-based particle detectors for ALICE (Master)

For this project, we plan the characterization of an Analogue Pixel Test Structure (APTS) chip. The APTS is a small silicon-based tracking detector with a 4x4 pixel matrix. It is one step in the development process for the final chip.

Click here for the full description of the project.

Responsible: Philip Hauer, Bernhard Ketzer

Revision of a small-format Time Projection Chamber for lab course applications (Bachelor / Master / PHD)

A fully modular 3D-tracking detector with a readout volume of 10×10×10cm³ and an amplification stage based on gaseous electron multipliers (GEM) has been developed and built for various test purposes. A full setup of such a laboratory-size detector (small Time Projection Chamber, sTPC) already has been set up and tested. There exists an additional set of detector parts in order to assemble a second detector of the same type which is supposed to be used for an advanced laboratory course for future physics students.
In the scope of your work one sub-project could be to assemble and test the detector, partly under clean room conditions. Another task is to revise the readout electronics of the detector. Here, the existing readout chain needs to be replaced and adopted to the scope of a laboratory course. This has to be realized in terms of printed circuit board (PCB) design and the description of FPGA firmware. With this, you also have the opportunity to set the course for upgrades planned for the mid-scale Crystal Barrel Experiment (CBELSA/TAPS) in Bonn.
Last but not least, an external detector arrangement – e.g. consisting of scintillators – needs to be implemented around the detector in order to generate a trigger for cosmic particle track events. Measured tracks need to be visualized in the scope of an event display software. The scope of the project can be accommodated to your personal preferences.

Click here for more information.

Responsible: Dimitri Schaab