Advanced Microscopy Application Specialist

The SynthImmune Cluster of Excellence (https://synthimmune.de/) is seeking a highly motivated Officer for the BSL2/BSL3 Imaging Facility to strengthen its Infectious Diseases Imaging Platform (IDIP, https://www.idip-heidelberg.org/) at the Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research (CIID, https://ciid-heidelberg.de/), Heidelberg, Germany, and to serve as the primary contact point for all SynthImmune members. SynthImmune brings together leading researchers to pioneer the emerging field of synthetic immunology, aiming to develop transformative strategies to combat infectious diseases and cancer by understanding and engineering elite immune responses. Within this collaborative framework, IDIP provides state-of-the-art high-containment microscopy infrastructure (BSL-2 and BSL-3) and advanced imaging technologies spanning molecular to whole-organism scales. The successful candidate will play a central role in coordinating cutting-edge microscopy-based research, supporting scientists in the design, implementation, and optimization of advanced imaging experiments, and contributing to the integration of imaging data into quantitative and mechanistic studies.

Your Tasks
Provide comprehensive support and guidance to researchers within SynthImmune consortium across all aspects of imaging-based experimentation, including experimental design, sample preparation (optical clearing, sectioning, immunofluorescence) and labeling strategies, image acquisition as well as downstream image and data analysis
Develop and implement advanced microscopy workflows, including live-cell imaging, high-content screening, multiplex imaging and feedback/ adaptive microscopy approaches
Support and optimize imaging on advanced light microscopy systems (e.g., confocal, light-sheet, super-resolution)
Establish robust and reproducible acquisition pipelines tailored to complex biological model systems, including infectious disease models under BSL-2/3 conditions
Work closely with industry partners and technology providers, contributing to the benchmarking, evaluation and implementation of emerging imaging technologies
Contribute to the development and implementation of automated image analysis workflows for quantitative evaluation of microscopy data
Coordinate closely with the rest of the IDIP team to ensure seamless integration of acquisition and downstream analysis workflows

Your Profile
PhD in biology or a related field with a strong focus on advanced light microscopy
Several years of hands-on experience with advanced microscopy techniques (e.g., confocal, spinning disk, light-sheet, super-resolution microscopy)
Proven expertise in designing and optimizing microscopy experiments, including sample preparation, labeling etc
Practical experience in basic molecular biology and cell biology techniques, such as cloning, transfection and cell culture
Willingness to work in biosafety level 2 and 3 (BSL-2/3) laboratories, including work with infectious pathogens
Experience with advanced imaging approaches such as multiplex imaging, live-cell imaging, or adaptive/feedback microscopy is highly desirable
Experience with bioimage analysis tools (e.g., FIJI/ImageJ, Napari, CellProfiler) and basic programming skills in Python or similar languages
Experience working with complex biological model systems is highly desirable
Familiarity with reproducible and well-documented experimental workflows
Strong collaborative mindset and experience working in interdisciplinary research environments
Excellent communication and teaching skills, with the ability to convey complex experimental and technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences
High level of self-motivation, reliability and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects
Strong problem-solving skills and creativity in experimental design

We offer
Goal-oriented, individual training and development opportunities
Working with the latest techniques / technical equipment
Flexible working hours within the framework of flexitime
Possibility to publish scientifically is offered and supported
Regular team meetings
Interdisciplinary cooperation with SynthImmune members
Collectively agreed remuneration TV-L E13, attractive company pension scheme (VBL)
30 days vacation
Sustainable travel: job ticket
Family-friendly working environment: cooperative arrangements for childcare, subsidy for child vacation care, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
Wide range of health, prevention and sports offers

Contact & Application
For further information please contact Dr. Kathrin Bajak via e-mail.

Interested?

Applications will be accepted until 15.06.2026 direct online – https://karriere.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php?ac=jobad&id=27803.

Zentrum für Infektiologie
Dr. Kathrin Bajak
Im Neuenheimer Feld 324
69120 Heidelberg
06221 56 5061
synthimmune@med.uni-heidelberg.de