The PIER Helmholtz Graduate School (PHGS) is a joint graduate programme of Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) and University Hamburg with support of the Helmholtz Association.

Doctoral candidates benefit from outstanding research in the PIER research and competence fields. The PHGS offers its members internationally recognized training in their respective research fields as well as the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research. Furthermore, all PHGS members choose from a variety of tailor-made transferable trainings and benefit from a special focus on career planning for their future career. By offering a wide range of services and support measures, personal well-being is guaranteed.

The PIER Helmholtz Graduate School is part of PIER, the "Partnership for Innovation, Education and Research", which stands for the strong partnership between DESY and Universität Hamburg. Under the umbrella of PIER, DESY and Universität 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.

PHGS is part of the E (Education) in PIER. The PIER Helmholtz Graduate School and its more than 300 PhD students benefit from the strong partnership between DESY and Universität Hamburg by taking advantage of the best of both partners.

PIER research and competence fields: particle & astroparticle physics, nanoscience, photon science, infection and structural biology, accelerator research and theoretical physics.

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY): one of the world’s leading accelerator centres. Researchers use the large-scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety.

Universität Hamburg (UHH): one of Germany’s largest research and educational institutions. It combines a diverse curriculum with excellent research. It was granted the status of a University of Excellence for its role as a flagship university.