Rotor (2) for a permanent magnet electric machine (1), in particular a brushless DC machine, which rotor is arranged concentrically about a rotor axis (1') and has a passage opening (8) running along the rotor axis (1') for accommodating a shaft (22), comprising permanent magnets (3) and pole segments (4) extending along the rotor axis (1'), wherein the permanent magnets (3) and the pole segments (4) are arranged alternately around the rotor axis (1') in the circumferential direction, which rotor is further distinguished in that a cross-sectional area (14) of at least one, in particular each, pole segment (4) is formed, in at least one first pole segment region (5), asymmetrically with at least one shaped portion (6) arranged in a radially outer region, with respect to the rotor axis (1'), of the pole segment (4), wherein the shaped portion (6) extends substantially in a circumferential direction (1''). Furthermore, the invention describes the use of the rotor according to the invention.