Creating Synergies
In their strategic partnership "PIER", DESY and the University of Hamburg combine their strengths in innovation, education and research.
Learn morePartnership for Innovation, Education and Research
PIER is the strategic partnership of DESY and the University of Hamburg ("Partnership for Innovation, Education and Research"). PIER focuses on the research fields particle and astroparticle physics, nanosciences, photon science and infection and structural biology. Additional interdisciplinary areas are theoretical physics and accelerator research. In 2023, artefact profiling was added to the portfolio as a PIER Emerging Topic. Under the umbrella of PIER, DESY and the University of Hamburg jointly provide funding for cross-institutional research projects, promote high-quality education of junior scientists, and foster an innovation-friendly culture on the science campus Bahrenfeld.
The unique research environment of the science campus Bahrenfeld is where all PIER activities unfold. The campus hosts around 3,000 guest researchers from more than 40 countries every year who are attracted by the world-class research facilities available in Bahrenfeld.
PIER News
show all newsFrom Dark Matter to Dark Triad and Back: Keynote Lecture by Prof. Lucie Flek at the PIER Day 2025
NEWS | 25 November 2025
PIER Graduate Week 2025 - A Week of Interdisciplinary Exchange and Skills Development
NEWS | 6-10 October 2025
Discover how PIER can boost your scientific career
EVENTS
show all events04 Nov 2025
PIER Doctoral Seminar | November 2025
Michael Büker | Three modules between 4 and 12 November 2025 | Campus Bahrenfeld, HARBOR (bldg. 610), seminar room ground floor
The seminar is open to all full and associated members of the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School (PHGS) from the 2nd year of the doctorate. All full members of PHGS must attend th ...
07 Nov 2025
PIER Startup Workshop: Creating Innovation with Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT)
Andreas Voss (Concis Group! and People & Friends) | 7 November 2025, 9 am - 1 pm | Remote
Learn how to create innovation by "thinking inside the box" in our next PIER Startup Workshop “Creating Innovation with Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT)” for early stage re ...
19 Nov 2025
Time and Self-Management for Doctoral Researchers
Matthias Mayer | 19 + 20 November 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | room tba
The workplace in academia is becoming ever more demanding and hectic, with PhD students often having to deal as efficiently and effectively with increasing time pressures, hig ...
25 Nov 2025
PIER Day 2025
25 Nov. 2025 | Bahrenfeld campus, CFEL SR I-III and foyer
On Nov. 25th, 2025, PIER will hold its annual PIER Day on Bahrenfeld campus.
Meet PIER
Take a quick roundtrip and discover the PIER activities and program offers.
 
    »I am so happy to be on the Science Campus Bahrenfeld, because here I can work at incredible institutions, do interesting research, and learn a new language at the same time.«
Blae Stacey | Doctoral Researcher PHGS since 2022 | Learn more
