PhD in Optical Metrology (m/f/x)

Your Role

Push the boundaries of what is possible. At ZEISS, you will not work on textbook problems. You will tackle questions for which no established answers exist yet. As part of a joint PhD program between ZEISS and a leading university, you will help shape the next generation of optical metrology and imaging technologies. Working across physics, optics, computation, and experimentation, you will turn scientific curiosity into technological innovation.

Your Role

• Develop novel methods for optical metrology, computational imaging, and physical system modeling
• Combine theory, simulation, experimentation, and data-driven approaches
• Work closely with experts from industry and academia
• Publish scientific results and contribute to future ZEISS technologies
• Turn complex scientific challenges into practical solutions

Your Profile

• Outstanding Master’s degree in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Computational Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
• Passion for scientific discovery and solving difficult problems
• Curiosity beyond disciplinary boundaries
• Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and persistence Experience in one or more of these areas is a plus:
• Optics and photonics
• Optical metrology
• Simulation and modeling
• Computational imaging & image processing
• A modern computational mindset matters. More important than expertise in a specific programming language is your ability to use modern computational tools to accelerate scientific discovery. Whether through simulation frameworks, AI-assisted development, or emerging autonomous and agentic workflows, you see computation as a catalyst for innovation.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: