HZB Photon School 2027
Welcome to the HZB Photon School 2027 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 15 to 19 March 2026, while the practical training sessions will be conducted on-site only from 22 to 25 March 2027 (*).
(*) subject to BESSY II being operated at a level that allows access of external users.
Application will open soon (beginning of November, 2026).
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: 1 December 2026 (CET, 23:59).
Notification of acceptance: by 10 December 2026.
Notification of acceptance by selected candidates is expected until 16 December 2026.
Notifications of acceptance (= offer of a spot) will be send to selected candidates by email no later than 10 December 2026. Selected candidates are expected to send a written confirmation by email no later than 16 December 2025. If no written confirmation is received by this date, the place will be offered to another candidate.
Cancellation: If a confirmed participant needs to cancel her/his participation, please inform the local organisers as soon as possible. That way the place can be offered to another candidate in the waiting list.
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 send to accepted applicants upon confirmation of participation.