HZB Photon School 2026
Welcome to the HZB Photon School 2026 to be held in a hybrid format at the BESSY II Synchrotron Light Source at the Wilhelm-Conrad-Röntgen-Campus, Berlin-Adlershof.
Lectures will take place online and on-site from 23 to 27 March 2026, while the practical training sessions will be conducted on-site only from 30 March to 2 April 2026 (*).
(*) subject to BESSY II being operated at a level that allows access of external users.
About the School and Participation
The school is primarily aimed at master´s students and early-career researchers in physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, life, or environmental sciences. Participants will be introduced to synchrotron and laboratory-based characterisation methods that probe the molecular structure, function, and dynamics of complex material systems.
The programme consists of basic and specialised lectures given in the first week by experienced teachers who are HZB scientists or BESSY II super-users from our partner universities and research centres. The second week is dedicated to hands-on training at several BESSY II experimental stations and X-ray laboratories. Participants will get a vivid experience by joining an experiment to working in small groups.
The programme will be held in English.
Further Information
Registration / Application Fee: No registration fee is required to participate in the Photon School.
Application and Selection Process: Applications are accepted only via the application form. Our capacity for the programme is limited. Selection will be done by the Steering Committee and is based on career stage, experience, and motivation. Full programme (on-site lectures and hands-on training) and lectures only (on-line) spots will be offered.
Application Deadline: 16 November 2025 (CET, 23:59).
Notification of acceptance: by 28 November 2025.
Selected participants are expected to send a written confirmation by email no later than 5 December 2025. If no confirmation is received by this date, the place will be offered to another candidate. In the event that a confirmed participant needs to cancel, please inform the local organisers as soon as possible.
Accommodation: HZB will cover the costs of accommodation in shared apartments nearby (HZB coordinates the bookings).
Travel-related costs: We expect the participants to cover their own travel costs. A limited number of HZB Photon School travel stipends is available.
Further information will be sent to accepted applicants upon confirmation of participation.
Deadline for applications is 16 November 2025 (CET, 23:59).