Lab Mechatronics / Programmer/ Research and Admin Assistant (m/f/d)

Max Planck Group; Tübingen; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International environment

Further education opportunities

Public sector salary (TVöD Bund)

Job summary

The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics invites applications for a Lab Mechatronics / Programmer/ Research and Admin Assistant (m/f/d). You will provide hardware, software, data taking, and managerial support across brain and neuroscience research activities in an interdisciplinary department.

Responsibilities include programming, troubleshooting, equipment setup, inventory, and training new users. Fluency in English is required; German desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or higher in a relevant scientific or engineering field.
• Broad technical skills and curiosity about neuroscience research topics.
• Good teamwork, resilience, and professionalism.
• Ability to anticipate problems and manage projects/communication.
• Strong command of English; German is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide hardware, software, data taking, and managerial support for neuroscience research activities.
• Program and debug new equipment or experimental platforms.
• Support data acquisition processes and train new equipment users.
• Carry out hardware repairs and troubleshooting.
• Maintain equipment inventory and system upkeep.
• Set up and manage the knowledge/data database for projects and activities.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

JavaScript

EEG data collection

eye tracking

optics

electronics

Education

Relevant degree in physics, cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, mechatronics, electronics, computer science, or related discipline

Tools

Windows

Linux

Job description

Lab Mechatronics / Programmer/ Research and Admin Assistant (m/f/d)

Job Offer from January 02, 2026

The Department for Sensory and Sensorimotor Systems of the Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics studies the processing of sensory information (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory) in the brain and the use of this information for directing body movements and making cognitive decisions. The research is highly interdisciplinary and uses theoretical and experimental approaches in humans. Our methodologies include visual psychophysics, eye tracking, fMRI, EEG, TMS in humans. For more information, please visit the department website: www.lizhaoping.org
We are currently looking for a

Lab Mechatronics / Programmer/ Research and Admin Assistant (m/f/d) 100%

to join us, this position is open until it is filled.
The position
You will provide hardware, software, data taking, and managerial support for a diverse set of brain and neuroscience research activities. This includes:

• Computer and IT support of Windows and Linux systems
• Programming and debugging of computer code, especially at the stage of setting up new equipment or new experimental platforms
• Provide technical, administrative, and operational support in the research data taking process. (The position holder should either have previous experience in visual psychophysics, or have the ability to quickly learn the data taking processes involved in the labs.)
• Carry out or arrange for hardware repairs and troubleshooting
• Equipment inventory and maintenance
• Supervising and training of new equipment users
• Setting up, updating and managing the database of knowledge and data from research projects, personnel and activities

Our department is interdisciplinary, with research activities including human visual psychophysics, eye tracking, fMRI, EEG, TMS. We are looking for a person with a broad technical knowledge base, who loves working in a scientific environment and who is curious, open-minded, and able to adapt and learn new skills and solve new problems quickly. The set of skills that the individual should either already have or can quickly learn includes: MATLAB/Psychotoolbox, Python/OpenCV, Javascript, graphics and display technologies, EEG data taking techniques and similar, eye tracking, optics, electronics/controllers/sensors, etc.
Your profile

• Relevant degree in the field of physics, cognittive science, psychology, neuroscience, mechatronics, electronics, computer science, or related discipline. Scientific experience is a plus
• Evidence or track record of broad technical skills and/or experienceCuriosity about our research topics
• Good teamwork skills
• A high level of resilience and professionalism
• Ability to anticipate problems and skills in project management and communication
• Strong command of English; fluency in German is highly desirable

We offer
We offer highly interesting, challenging and varied tasks; you will work closely and collaboratively with scientists, students, programmers, administrative staff, and central IT and mechanical/electronic workshop support to help achieve the scientific goals of the department. An international environment with regular opportunities for further education and training awaits you. The salary is paid in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD Bund), based on qualification and experience and will include social security benefits and additional fringe benefits in accordance with public service provisions. This position is initially limited to two years, with the possibility of extensions and a permanent contract.
The Max Planck Society seeks to employ more handicapped people and strongly encourages them to apply. Furthermore, we actively support the compatibility of work and family life. The Max Planck Society also seeks to increase the number of women in leadership positions and strongly encourages qualified women to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity.