Head of Department - CBM (all genders)

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung mbH

The GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt operates one of the leading particle accelerators for science. Currently, the new FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) one of the world‘s largest research projects, is under construction through international cooperation. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work in this international environment with a team of employees committed to world-class science.

The scientific management of GSI and FAIR invites applications for the position

Head of Department - CBM (all genders)
Posting ID: 25.87-5112

The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment belongs to the core scientific projects of FAIR. Its goal is to explore the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter at high net baryon densities with unprecedented precision. The experiment is currently entering the final construction phase with preparation of the installation and commissioning underway. A large international collaboration with 400 scientists and engineers is contributing to a complex suite of detectors.

The CBM department at GSI acts as the host of the collaboration and presently comprises about 20 scientists, engineers and technicians. Its involvement in the CBM experiment comprises the following activities with development life cycle responsibility:

• Silicon Tracking System (STS), a key detector of the CBM experiment
• Software for experiment control, event reconstruction and detector simulation
• Front-end electronics for the Time-Of-Flight (TOF) detector
• Data acquisition system
• Cave and detector infrastructure

GSI is seeking an internationally renowned scientist in the field of relativistic heavy-ion and hadron physics with leadership skills, experience of project management in large instrumentation or software projects and expertise in experiment data analysis. The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping and advancing the technological and scientific program of the CBM department in close collaboration with the international CBM collaboration including universities and research institutes in Germany and worldwide.

Your responsibilities:

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for the CBM department
• Coordinate the host lab activities directed towards CBM in close collaboration with the management of the CBM collaboration
• Coordinate cooperation between CBM and technical research departments and other groups in the context of realising and running CBM
• Represent the CBM department in internal committees, scientific reviews and funding discussions
• Manage and develop the department team, including scientists (all genders), engineers (all genders) and technicians (all genders) and ensure compliance with safety, legal and administrative regulations.

Your Profile:

• PhD in experimental physics, preferably with a specialization in nuclear or particle physics
• Strong scientific background in the physics of strong interaction matter and experience in large-scale experiments
• Project management experience in complex, international research environments
• Acquainted with detector technologies, data acquisition and/or software development
• Proven leadership and team coordination skills
• Successful track record in acquiring third-party funding is expected
• Experience in academic teaching and in supervising Bachelor, Master, and PhD students is highly desirable.

We offer:

• A leadership role at a major European research facility
• Opportunities for professional development and international collaboration
• Prospect of a joint professorship in cooperation with a partner university in the region.

The position is permanent. The salary and benefits based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund) effective at GSI.

GSI promotes the professional development of women and expressly welcomes applications from women. Handicapped persons will be preferentially considered when equally qualified.

Further Information about FAIR and GSI is available at www.gsi.de and www.fair-center.eu.

If you are interested, please submit your application, including a cover letter, CV, list of publications, research statement, and contact details for references and the posting ID 25.87-5112 by 30th of September 2025 at the latest via the online portal on our job site

Online-Bewerbungsportal

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
ABTEILUNG PERSONAL
PLANCKSTRASSE 1
64291 DARMSTADT