Postdoc: development of a novel MINFLUX microscope (Parental leave replacement)

University of Vienna; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Vienna's Max Perutz Labs invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to develop a fast, open‑source MINFLUX microscope as a parental leave replacement. You will collaborate with an electrical engineer on instrument control and join a lab with extensive microscopy development experience.

The project requires a PhD in physics or engineering, strong optics background, and publication track record. Excellent English is essential; position is limited until 11 June 2027.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics or engineering.
• Strong optics background and experience with complex microscope hardware.
• Experience building scanning microscopes (STED, confocal) is desirable and programming experience is beneficial.
• Excellent spoken and written English skills.

Responsibilities

• Involved in research projects and scientific studies.
• Publish internationally and give lectures.
• Support the optics group within the lab.
• Teach courses independently within the collective bargaining provisions.
• Supervise students.
• Participate in evaluation measures and quality assurance.
• Take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.

Skills

Optics

Microscope hardware

Python

FPGA

Team player

English

Education

PhD in physics or engineering

Tools

Python

FPGA

Job description

Postdoc: development of a novel MINFLUX microscope (Parental leave replacement)

74 Max Perutz Labs

Startdate: 16.12.2026 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)

Limited until: 11.06.2027

Reference no.: 6391

About the Max Perutz Labs

The Ries lab is developing super‑resolution microscopy methods for structural cell biology. In this project we will develop a fast, simple, and robust 3D and multi‑color MINFLUX microscope with highest performance as open source.

The successful applicant will work in a stimulating scientific environment, the Department for Structural and Computational Biology at the Max Perutz Labs, a research institute established by the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna to provide an environment for excellent, internationally recognized research and education in the field of Molecular Biology. Dedicated to a mechanistic understanding of fundamental biomedical processes, scientists at the Max Perutz Labs aim to link breakthroughs in basic research to advances in human health. The Max Perutz Labs are located at the Vienna BioCenter, one of Europe’s hotspots for Life Sciences, and host 44 research groups, involving around 400 scientists and staff from more than 40 nations.

About the position/ the research project

Access to MINFLUX microscopy is limited by the cost of commercial and the difficulty of building custom instruments. We recently developed an excitation module for MINFLUX that will substantially reduce the complexity and cost of a custom microscope (Deguchi & Ries, bioRxiv 2023, https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.31.564945). In this project we will develop this idea into a prototype and then into a stable open‑source microscope for the community.

You will work closely together with an electrical engineer who will be developing the instrument control software and electronics, and you will be part of a laboratory with long‑standing microscope development experience.

We are looking for a talented, highly motivated postdoctoral scientist who is excited to develop a high‑end microscope that will be useful for biological discovery. You should hold a PhD degree in physics or engineering and should have a strong background in optics and developing complex microscope hardware. Experience building scanning microscopes (STED, confocal) and in programming (Python, FPGA) is beneficial.

Training and supervision will be provided throughout the project, but we also expect a high level of drive and independence. Excellent spoken and written English skills are required.

This position is a parental leave replacement and limited until June 11, 2027.

Your future tasks:

• You are involved in research projects and scientific studies.
• You publish internationally and give lectures.
• You support the group on the optics side.
• You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You supervise your students.
• You participate in evaluation measures and in quality assurance.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.

Qualifications:

• You hold a PhD degree in physics or engineering.
• Research competence and initiative proven through international publications in peer‑relevant media.
• Excellent scientific track record.
• Excited about pushing the limits of optical microscopy.
• Experience in developing microscopy technologies.
• Excellent spoken and written English skills.
• Team player and high social/communicative skills.

Work‑life balance:

Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part‑time work (upon agreement).

Inspiring working atmosphere:

You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Good public transport connections:

Your workplace in the center of beautiful Vienna is easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & Coaching:

Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from - free of charge.

Fair salary:

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 5.014,30 14 times/year increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for everyone:

The University of Vienna has an anti‑discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

Contact & Application

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis and as soon as a suitable candidate is found, the position will be filled.

Further information about the Ries lab at: https://www.maxperutzlabs.ac.at/research/research-groups/ries

https://rieslab.de

If you have any questions, please contact: Jonas Ries [e-mail]

We look forward to new personalities in our team!

Application deadline: 11/15/2026