Unlock Your Full Potential as a Student at PDI

PDI offers physics students the opportunity to conduct research in an international and interdisciplinary environment. If you are pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree and are interested in materials science, condensed matter physics, or device engineering, you may be able to complete your thesis or research project at PDI.

Research Opportunities

As part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V and the Leibniz Association, PDI contributes to fundamental and applied research while supporting the education of young scientists. We regularly collaborate with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, TU Berlin: Technische Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, and the University of Potsdam, providing students with access to specialized expertise and advanced research facilities. If you are not affiliated with any of these universities but would like to study at PDI, please check if your university allows external research collaboration. 

Students at PDI work alongside experienced researchers to investigate novel materials and their properties using advanced experimental and theoretical techniques. Research areas include:

• Material growth using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)
• Characterization of structural, electronic, and optical properties
• Spectroscopic analysis of semiconductor materials
• Theoretical modeling of physical processes

Projects are typically supervised jointly by PDI scientists and university faculty, ensuring a collaborative learning environment.

How to Apply

If you are interested in studying at PDI, we invite you to:

1. Explore available opportunities—check the list of current thesis topics and open positions.
2. Discuss your research interests—if you have a specific topic in mind, get in touch. We can help you find the right contact person.
3. Request approval—together with your supervisor, you can apply to conduct your research at PDI.

Requirements

• Enrollment at a university that allows external research collaborations.
• A solid academic background relevant to the chosen research area.
• Sufficient language skills to participate in scientific discussions and collaborate effectively.