Master Thesis – Development of a microfluidic system for single-cell analysis of photoautotrophic organisms

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich; On-site; EUR 10,000 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Campus experience

Flexible working hours

Health & well-being

Meaningful Tasks

Practical relevance

Onboarding & teamwork

Work-life balance

Job summary

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH in Jülich, Germany seeks a Master’s student to develop microfluidic platforms for single-cell analysis and to take ideas from CAD through fabrication and testing. You will shape the entire development process with your own ideas and technical solutions.

The role emphasizes literature research, deep learning-based image analysis, and rigorous data interpretation in an international, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree programme in engineering or a comparable discipline.

Responsibilities

• Independent conception and development of innovative microfluidic cultivation systems for single-cell analysis
• Developing and implementing your own new technical solutions, including experimental set-ups and control concepts
• CAD design and fabrication of microfluidic chips in the laboratory
• Literature research on the research topic
• Computer-assisted image analysis using the latest techniques based on deep learning methods
• Quantitative analysis, visualisation and interpretation of experimental data

Skills

Microfluidics

CAD

Microscopy

Single-cell analysis

Prototyping

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Image analysis software

Job description

Master Thesis – Development of a microfluidic system for single-cell analysis of photoautotrophic organisms

At the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences - Biotechnology (IBG-1), interdisciplinary teams are working on the development of biotechnological processes for the industry of tomorrow. In doing so, IBG-1 is focusing on the development of increasingly automated and miniaturised experiments. To this end, the ‘Microscale BioEngineering’ research group has been carrying out pioneering work since 2010: individual cells can be studied in microfluidic cultivation systems on a picolitre scale. This methodology offers highly controlled environmental conditions, a high degree of parallelisation and low media consumption. We are only at the beginning of an exciting development: by combining state-of-the-art microfluidics, high-resolution live-cell microscopy and automated image analysis, we expect to gain new insights into fundamental biotechnology research and the behaviour of individual microorganisms. Find out more at: www.fz-juelich.de/ibg/ibg-1/microscale

Your Job

Join the ‘Microscale BioEngineering’ working group! As part of your thesis, you will develop innovative microfluidic platforms for cultivation and analysis at the single-cell level. From the initial idea through to CAD design, fabrication and experimental testing, you will help shape the entire development process. We are particularly keen to hear your own ideas and technical solutions. The systems developed will then be validated and further optimized as part of our “1+1=1” research project.

Your main areas of focus will be:

• Independent conception and development of innovative microfluidic cultivation systems for single-cell analysis
• Developing and implementing your own new technical solutions, including experimental set-ups and control concepts
• CAD design and fabrication of microfluidic chips in the laboratory
• Literature research on the research topic
• Computer-assisted image analysis using the latest techniques based on deep learning methods
• Quantitative analysis, visualisation and interpretation of experimental data

Your Profile

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree programme in engineering, e.g. bioprocess engineering, biotechnology, microsystems engineering or a comparable discipline.
• An interest in the development, design and practical implementation of new technical solutions.
• Knowledge of microfluidics, CAD, microscopy, single-cell analysis, biotechnology or bioprocess engineering would be an advantage.
• Practical skills and a passion for experimental development, prototyping and optimization.
• An interdisciplinary mindset and the ability to collaborate constructively.
• An independent and reliable approach to work.
• Very goodcommand of written and spoken English isrequired(at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level.

Our Benefits for You

• Meaningful Tasks: Your thesis deals with a future-oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
• Practical relevance: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
• Scientific environment: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
• Onboarding & teamwork: You can look forward to working in a dedicated, international, and collegial team. It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Flexibility: Flexible working hours make it easier for you to balance work and study
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• Campus experience: Our research campus in the countryside creates ideal conditions for collegial exchange and sporting activities right on site. Our cafeteria offers a wide range of options—you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break with a lake view

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey. International applicants can find more information here: https://go.fzj.de/job-journey-internationals

Place of Employment: Jülich

Start Date: To the next possible date

Salary: We will pay you an appropriate remuneration for your thesis

Application Deadline: 2026-11-12

Index number: 2026M-0819