Creating Synergies

In their strategic partnership "PIER", DESY and 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 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, accelerator research, and artefact profiling. Under the umbrella of PIER, DESY and 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 Startup Bootcamp Workshop II: Business Modeling and Pitching

EVENT | Andreas Voss (Concis Group! and People & Friends) | 12 June 2026, 9 am - 4 pm | Bahrenfeld campus, 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 researchers (doctoral researchers and postdocs), taking place on 12 June 2026.

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PIER PhD Reception 2026

EVENT | 19 June 2026, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Auditorium and Foyer CSSB

At the PIER PhD Reception, we will welcome the new members of the PIER Helmholtz Granduate School and farewell our Alumni.

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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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22 May 2026

Thesis defense: Wuwei Jin

Thesis defense: Wuwei Jin | 22 May 2026, 09:00 a.m. |

The disputation is open to the UHH university public. Title of thesis: Construction and Application of the Endstation for Controlled Molecular Experiments in Chemical Dynamic ...

29 May 2026

Thesis defense: Alain Verduras Schaeidt

Thesis defense: Alain Verduras Schaeidt | 29 May 2026, 11:00 a.m. |

The disputation is open to the UHH university public. Title of thesis: Exploring Extended Higgs Sectors from Colliders to the Early Universe

05 Jun 2026

Research Data Management for Doctoral Researchers

Dr. Juliane Jacob | 5 June 2026, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Seminar room 4a/b, building 1b, DESY/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.

11 Jun 2026

Python for Data Analysis

Bernd Klein | 11 + 12 June 2026, 9 am - 5 pm | online

Do you want to do machine learning and/or data analysis using Python, but you’re having trouble getting started? Here's the solution.

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.«