Job Description

EMBL’s Mobile Laboratories are a mobile, interdisciplinary core facility that brings advanced light microscopy, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy sample preparation directly to the users throughout our member states. We enable high-quality science on site and in real time and we support researchers with cutting-edge technology, training, and sample processing both at the EMBL Heidelberg campus and on expeditions across Europe.

We are seeking a highly motivated light microscopy expert for a maternity cover. The successful candidate will work as scientific officer in the MLCF at EMBL.

Your role

You will teach and support users in advanced light microscopy technologies. This includes all aspects from experimental design to image acquisition, analysis and large-scale data management.

You will participate in scientific expeditions, supporting users with daily management of the facility, interaction with partner institutes from our member states.
You will be working on a large-scale imaging screen when not on expedition, with the possibility of supervising interns.

You will participate in the organization and teaching of international courses on advanced microscopy techniques. Extensive travel (EU) is required for this position.

• Daily management of the laboratories and technologies provided by the Mobile Laboratories, including:
  • Performing all necessary daily maintenance routines, including calibration and maintenance of light microscopes
  • Organise and manage the general laboratory, including timely purchases and stocking of supplies
  • Preparation of data for, and writing of SOPs for routine applications
• Communication and coordination with the institutes hosting the Mobile Laboratories expedition
• Interaction with Member States users, which includes
  • Training of the advanced technologies offered by the Mobile Laboratories,
  • Coordination and research and bioimage analysis support
• Duty travel during the expeditions to support users on site
• Support of the existing EMBL Core Facilities when not on the expedition
• Development of new workflows, in collaboration with Users and the other EMBL CFs
• Project management and conduction of large-scale imaging projects, including
  • Engagement with project stakeholders and milestone definition
  • Performing, as well as supervising sample processing and image acquisition,
  • Bioimage data analysis and the public deposition of the acquired data.

You have

• A university degree in either life sciences, physics or engineering, preferably with a PhD.
• Solid experience in 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.
• Knowledge of electron microscopy or flow cytometry

Contract length:Limited to 1 year (absence cover )

Grade:Grade 5 and depending on qualifications and experience (salary starting from 4.031 EUR after tax, before dedcutions for Geman social security)

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.

Campus life & benefits:

• Attractive income tax free salary and full inclusion in the national system including related benefits

• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns

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

• 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: On-site Kindergarten (Heidelberg), maternity leave and holiday clubs on campus

What else you need to know

• 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 shown below.

Closing Date

08/07/2026