Two exciting job opportunities in advanced imaging
Delivering the most advanced imaging technologies to our users means constantly pushing our platforms and workflows forward. Help shape the future of imaging at EMBL in Heidelberg by joining our growing team! We’re looking for talented specialists to contribute to the development and delivery of cutting-edge imaging technologies for the life-science community.
We are currently recruiting for two positions:
- Microscopy Specialist – advancing super-resolution cryo-light microscopy and cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) workflows
- Software Engineer – developing the software, automation and data workflows that underpin our advanced light- and electron-microscopy platforms
Both roles sit at the interface of technology development, microscopy and biological research. At the IC, you’ll join a multidisciplinary team where microscopy, engineering, physics, software development and biology meet daily — working together with experts across these fields. It’s a place to grow technically while seeing your work translate directly into new scientific capabilities and discoveries for researchers around the world.
Microscopy Specialist: advancing cryo-light and cryo-CLEM
We are seeking a Microscopy Specialist with expertise in advanced light microscopy to help develop and deliver innovative super-resolution cryo-light microscopy and cryo-CLEM workflows, as part of our synergistic portfolio of LM and EM technologies.
In this role, you will work closely with scientists, engineers, application specialists and external collaborators to develop, optimise and integrate advanced microscopy technologies into service-ready workflows. Specialist, end-to-end support for cryo-CLEM projects will also fall within your scope of work – from experimental design and image acquisition to troubleshooting and analysis. Beyond individual projects, you’ll help operate and continuously improve our advanced cryogenic microscopy platforms, ensuring the Imaging Centre’s technology portfolio keeps pace with this rapidly advancing field.
Sharing expertise with the wider community is central to the role: you will contribute to training courses, workshops and technical guidance for EMBL researchers, external users and the broader imaging community.
We are looking for a candidate with a postgraduate qualification in life sciences, physics, engineering or a related field, and demonstrated experience in super-resolution light microscopy, cryo-CLEM, related imaging techniques and image analysis in a scientific research environment. Experience in an imaging facility, scientific service environment, cryo-super-resolution microscopy or cryo-FIB/SEM would be an advantage.
Software Engineer: building the technology behind advanced imaging
We are also looking for a software engineer to play a key role in developing and sustaining the software infrastructure that enables advanced microscopy at the IC.
Working alongside engineers, physicists, biologists and research users, you will translate scientific and operational requirements into reliable, maintainable solutions for instrument control, automation, data acquisition and real-time analysis. You will contribute across the software lifecycle, from architecture and development to testing, deployment, documentation and long-term maintenance. You will also have the opportunity to explore emerging approaches, including AI-enabled automation, wherever these can improve the robustness, reproducibility and scientific value of imaging workflows.
The role requires a strong background in software engineering, computer science, engineering, physics or a related field, together with demonstrated experience developing software for hardware control, scientific instrumentation or similarly complex technical systems. Experience with languages and environments such as C++, Python, LabVIEW, Java or MATLAB is particularly relevant. Experience with embedded or real-time systems, FPGAs or GPUs, scientific hardware integration, cameras, detectors or positioning systems would be an advantage.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are passionate about developing technologies that push the boundaries of biological imaging, we would love to hear from you.
Microscopy Specialist
📅 Apply by 23 September 2026
📍 Heidelberg, Germany
Further information is available from Simone Mattei at simone.mattei@embl.de.
Software Engineer
📅 Apply by 22 September 2026
📍 Heidelberg, Germany
Further information is available from Timo Zimmermann at timo.zimmermann@embl.de.
Apply online and join the EMBL Imaging Centre in shaping the next generation of advanced imaging technologies.