Postdoc / Research Engineer - Microfluidics and Microbial Single-Cell Analysis

Forschungszentrum Jülich; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 45.000 - 55.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research center in Germany is seeking a passionate postdoc to develop microfluidic solutions for studying gut-microbes. This role involves interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative research in microfluidics, and opportunities for technology transfer. Candidates should have a relevant Master's degree or PhD, experience in live-cell imaging, and excellent communication skills. The position offers a full-time contract with flexible hours and extensive benefits.

Leistungen

State-of-the-art facilities

Comprehensive training courses

Extensive company health management

30 days of annual leave

Flexible working hours

Qualifikationen

• Demonstrated expertise in microfluidics design and fabrication.
• Experience with automated microscopy workflows.
• First journal publications.

Aufgaben

• Develop innovative microfluidic habitats for high-throughput assays.
• Conduct microbial co-cultivation experiments.
• Publish results in high-impact journals.

Kenntnisse

Microfluidics design

Live-cell imaging

Quantitative analysis

Programming (Python, MATLAB)

Interdisciplinary communication

Ausbildung

Masters degree with subsequent PhD

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Application Deadline 19 Jan 2038 - 03:14 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

IBG-1 - Biotechnologie

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Your Job:

This position is ideal for postdocs with a passion for innovation, interdisciplinary science, and entrepreneurial impact.

At the IBG-1 at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and within a multidisciplinary Helmholtz and University consortium (FZJ, HZI, Helmholtz Munich and HHUD), we are creating a unique platform to monitor and steer how living, therapeutic gut-microbes compete with multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this position as a postdoc you will develop innovative microfluidic habitats that generate precisely controlled oxygen and nutrient dynamics for high-throughput microbial invasion assays and live-cell imaging. Working at the interface of microfluidics, quantitative microbiology, and AI-assisted microscopy, you will transform these methods into a robust screening platform. Beyond fundamental discovery, your work will foster translational applications and commercialization pathways, paving the way for spin-off ventures in microbiome diagnostics, probiotic development, and microfluidic automation.

Your tasks in detail:

• Design and fabricate microfluidic cultivation chips emulating colon-like oxygen and nutrient dynamics and gradients for high-throughput operation. Therefore, develop and Implement dual-layer gas–fluid architectures (Kasahara et al., LOC 2025) and SLE-glass top layers to achieve fine oxygen control
• Conduct microbial co-cultivation experiments on model gut communities under controlled conditions and integrate chip systems with AI-assisted live-cell microscopy for autonomous feedback imaging and data analysis.
• Contribute to trainings, technology transfer and perform lab rotations across Helmholtz centers.
• Publish results in high-impact journals and present on international conferences.
• Explore funding opportunities for potential spin offs

Your Profile:

• Masters degree with subsequent PhD in microfluidics, bioengineering, biotechnology, biophysics, or closely related field, with demonstrated expertise in microfluidics design and fabrication.
• Proven experience with live-cell imaging, quantitative analysis, and automated microscopy workflows.
• Excellent interdisciplinary communication, teamwork, and presentation skills, with confidence engaging across biology, engineering, and data science.
• Scientific writing skills and first journal publications
• Experience in programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB) for experiment control and data analysis is advantageous.
• Self-motivated, organized, and open to collaborative, cross-institutional research.
• Fluent in English; German is a plus but not required.

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• State-of-the-art facilities for microfabrication (Helmholtz Nano Facility) and automated live-cell microscopy, and microbial physiology.
• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
• Opportunities to engage in technology translation and spin-off preparation within FZJ’s innovation ecosystem.
• Extensive company health management
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
• A full-time position (39h/week) with flexible working hours, and 30 days of annual leave
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euro can be found here: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: 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.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.