The Advanced Light Microscopy Facility at EMBL Heidelberg (ALMF) offers a collection of state of the art equipment and image processing tools to support in-house scientists and visitors in using light microscopy methods for their research. Incollaboration with other Core Facilities the ALMF also offers a service in correlative light and electron microscopy, spatial omics and high throughput chemical screens. The facility also closely collaborates with the EMBL Imaging Centre providing outward facing services in advanced cross scales imaging. 

Your role 

We are seeking a highly motivated light microscopy expert. The successful candidate will work as scientific officer in the Advanced Light Microscopy Facility (ALMF) at EMBL.

You will teach and support users in advanced light microscopy technologies. This includes all aspects of assay development with respect to automated image acquisition, image data analysis and large-scale data management.

You will also write custom software packages that allow users to conduct experiments at large scale automatically and ifnecessary develop custom hardware in collaboration with the EMBL workshops and industrial partners.

You will also participate in the testing and establishing of cutting-edge microscopy technology equipment in collaboration with the industrial partners of the facility. You will participate in the organization and teaching of international courses on advanced microscopy techniques.

You have 

• A university degree in either life sciences, physics or engineering, preferably with a PhD.
• Solid experience in several advanced light microscopy techniques is essential.
• Practical knowledge in automation of image acquisition, image analysis and data handling.
• You should be a team player and have good communication and organisational skills.
• Fluency in English is compulsory.

You may also have

Proofessional experience in one or more of the following area(s) is considered beneficial:

• biological sample preparation and their application to biological questions;
• previous work in a scientific core facility;
• organization and teaching of training courses;
• microscopy technology development;
• programming skills e.g. with LabView, Matlab, C++, Java, Python.

Contract length: 3 years (renewable)

Salary: Grade 6 (monthly salary starting from 4.580,37 EUR after tax, excluding EMBL social security contributions of 13% plus financial allowances based on personal circumstances).

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation. 

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), library, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date

11/05/2026