Creating Synergies

In their strategic partnership "PIER", DESY and the University of Hamburg combine their strengths in innovation, education and research.

Partnership 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

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PIER Seed Projects Call 2025

NEWS | 06 Feb. 2025

You are an early-career researcher at DESY or UHH/UKE? You have an innovative idea for a joint DESY/UHH (or UKE) research project? Apply now for seed funding at PIER!

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Joint Career Days 2025

NEWS | 21 + 22 January 2025

What's next after PhD and postdoc - science, industry, business or public service? A two-day career event at Betahaus Hamburg focused on the different career paths available to early career researchers from University of Hamburg, DESY, MPSD and MPI-M.

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Discover how PIER can boost your scientific career

Research Funding

PIER funds various pioneering research fields for pushing your scientific projects to a new level.

Innovation

PIER offers a variety of event formats and activities in order to foster an innovation-friendly culture on the Hamburg Bahrenfeld campus.

Education

The PIER Helmholtz Graduate School ensures that doctoral candidates receive an internationally recognized and optimally supervised education in their respective fields.

EVENTS

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08 Apr 2025

Art Exhibit "MASH": More than A Single Half

8 - 15 April 2025 | Online

The MASH (More than A Single Half) exhibition gives an opportunity to anyone working or studying on the DESY campus: present another facet of themselves by showing the art the ...

11 Apr 2025

PIER Startup Workshop: Business Modeling and Pitching

Andreas Voss (Concis Group! and People & Friends) | 11 April 2025, 9 am - 4 pm | CFEL, SR V

Learn how to create a business model based on your research and improve your pitching skills at our next PIER Startup Workshop “Business Modeling and Pitching” for early stage ...

11 Apr 2025

Research Data Management for Doctoral Researchers

Dr. Juliane Jacob | 11 April 2025, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | FLASH seminar room, building 28c (2nd floor), Campus Bahrenfeld

For you as doctoral researchers it is vital to organise and secure your data right from the start of your research project until you archive it at the end.

16 Apr 2025

Meet-a-Role-Model with Dr Heike Neumann

Dr Heike Neumann | 16 April 2025, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Online

COAST career lunch talk: Join us, ask questions, network and find out if you could see yourself in a similar job.

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

Image of Blae Stacey/ © DESY/Marta Mayer

»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.«