Think Big: The secrets of matter are being unraveled using the world's most powerful X-ray beam and data science. The Data Science in Hamburg Helmholtz Graduate School for the Structure of Matter (DASHH) brings together nine partner institutions.
Exploration of Matter
DASHH brings together the expertise of scientists with a high international reputation in fundamental research on the structure of matter, computer science and mathematics in a new, unique form and enables young scientists to experiment at world-leading large-scale research facilities.
More about the research at DASHH
Reports on DASHH
Learn more about DASHH and the multi-faceted research projects it supports.
Revolutionizing science with Big Data
Evaluating huge amounts of data requires intelligent algorithms - and interdisciplinary experts. The DASHH graduate school in Hamburg trains the next generation. Helmholtz is thus laying the foundation for using data science to find answers to the big questions of our time, such as climate change.
"The conventional training paths are no longer sufficient"
DASHH is creating entirely new scientific collaborations in Northern Germany. We spoke with Senate Director Rolf Greve about the potential of interdisciplinarity and the importance of the School for Hamburg.
Basketball Player at the Supercomputer
Quantum computers promise unimaginable computing power - theoretically. So far, they can’t be used because their results are rife with errors. Tom Weber is working at DASHH on a software that aims to compensate for this.
For the development of new medical agents it is important to know how biomolecules, for example viruses, are structured. Bioinformatician Anna Theresa Cavasin therefore wants to use computer-assisted methods to optimize images from cryoelectron microscopy - in order to pave the way for better drugs with data science.
Mission
The goal of DASHH is to train a new generation of data scientists. They should be able to face tomorrow's scientific challenges associated with large-scale data-intensive experiments. In doing so, DASHH develops new collaborative approaches to analyze complex, heterogeneous data using intelligent algorithms.
Research Areas
PhD researchers at DASHH address questions from various research fields such as structural biology, particle physics, materials science and science with ultrashort X-ray light pulses. To explore these fields, the use of modern data science techniques is required. You can find an insight into current PhD projects here.
Gaining new knowledge is our common goal. The job we do here isn’t one that a lot of people do—and I think that understanding something at a very fundamental level at some point is amazing.
Anna Theresa Cavasin
Doctoral researcher at DASHH. She is researching how to make more accurate microscopic images of biomolecules. Read more about her project.
Curriculum
- Close supervision and support by an interdisciplinary Supervisory Panel
- Basic research from particle physics to structural biology and materials science, integrating innovative approaches from computer science and mathematics
- Opportunities to acquire the additionally required expertise through lectures at the partner universities UHH, TUHH and HSU
- Regular exchange between DASHH PIs and doctoral students through regular seminars
- Insights into current developments in the field of data science through a DASHH-initiated Data Science Colloquium
- Possibility of research at world-leading large-scale research facilities (PETRA III, FLASH, European XFEL, LHC)
- Courses for personal skills training and career development (transferable skills)
- Excellent working conditions on the vibrant and inspiring DESY research campus in the new Science City Hamburg-Bahrenfeld
- Further series of lectures on current research topics
The North German Science Award
The North German Science Award
The North German Science Award recognizes outstanding scientific projects involving scientists from at least two North German states. The award is presented every two years by the North German Conference of Science Ministers (NWMK). The science ministries of the northern German states of Hamburg, Bremen, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony are the sponsors of the award.
Since its establishment in 2012, the North German Science Award has honored cross-state collaborations in science that stand out for their scientific excellence and, thanks to their success, contribute to the strengthening and competitiveness of North German scientific networks. The award is hosted by a different federal state each year.
In 2020, the North German Science Award, worth a total of 250,000 euros, went to collaborative projects in the field of natural sciences.
Distinction for the DASHH
In November 2020, the Graduate School was honored with the North German Science Award. It received the award for excellent promotion of young scientists in the field of data science and for its pioneering development of new cooperative approaches at the Hamburg Bahrenfeld research campus.
"The young professionals who work at DASHH will carry their expertise into academia and industry, helping to solve important societal problems."
Rolf Greve, Head of the Office for Science and Research in Hamburg
Funding and Duration of the Program
The program extends over three years and offers full funding. The remuneration during the term corresponds to the salary level E13.
Application and Further Information
Numerous doctoral positions are available. DASHH is located in Hamburg. The program language is English. The application phase for new interdisciplinary projects starts in September each year, and the selection process is in February of the following year.
Contact
Dr. Heike Hufnagel Martinez
Dr. Heike Hufnagel Martinez
Scientific Coordinator DASHH
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
Notkestr. 85
Building 61, Room 01.108
22607 Hamburg
Dr. Christiane Ehrt
Dr. Christiane Ehrt
Scientific Coordinator DASHH
Universität Hamburg (UHH)
ZBH-Center for Bioinformatics
Bundesstraße 43
Room 209
20146 Hamburg
Following Institutions are Involved at DASHH
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
University of Hamburg (UHH)
Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)
Helmut Schmidt University (HSU)
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD)
European XFEL (EuXFEL)
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
Our Doctoral Researchers
Jörn Bach
Doktoral Researcher DASHH
Contacts
Radik Batraev
Doctoral Researcher DASHH
Surya Kiran Peravali
Doctoral Researcher DASHH
Benedict Schacht
Doctoral Researcher DASHH
Benedict Schacht
Supervisors:
- Dr. Imke Greving (Hereon)
- Dr. Berit Zeller-Plumhoff (Hereon)
- Dr. Christian Wilms (UHH)
- Prof. Simone Frintrop (UHH)
