Postdoc: Three-photon microscopy and advanced wavefront shaping / adaptive optics

European Molecular Biology Laboratory; Heidelberg, Hamburg; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements incl.hyb

Visa exemptions for international apps

Generous relocation package

Private medical insurance for you and/

Job summary

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Heidelberg to advance three-photon microscopy for deep-tissue imaging. You will design novel optical instruments, develop adaptive optics strategies, and push imaging depth and resolution in 3D biological tissues while collaborating with international partners and hosting visiting researchers.

The project is funded under Horizon Europe and offers an internationally active environment, with

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in physics, engineering or related field with optics/photonics background.
• Experience in nonlinear or multiphoton microscopy and/or adaptive optics is preferred.
• Strong hands-on experience building and aligning complex optical setups and programming hardware control (Matlab, Python, LabVIEW) and simulations (CAD, ZEMAX).

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical, optical, electronic and software components of custom three-photon microscopes for deep-tissue 3D imaging.
• Develop wavefront shaping and adaptive optics for heavy scattering tissue, including live animals.
• Integrate adaptive optics control and computational reconstruction into workflows and benchmark imaging performance across samples.
• Collaborate with biologists and international partners; lead cross-site method development and researcher exchanges.
• Disseminate results via publications and conferences.

Skills

Optics / photonics

Experimental physics

Programming (Matlab, Python, LabVIEW)

Live 3D biological samples handling

CAD / simulation tools

Education

PhD in physics, engineering, or related field

Tools

LabVIEW

ZEMAX

CAD software

Job description

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest ranked scientific research organizations in the world. The Headquarters Laboratory is located in Heidelberg (Germany) and the outstations are in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Monterotondo (Italy).

The Prevedel group in Heidelberg is seeking a postdoc with an applied physics and/or engineering background to work on advanced three-photon microscopy for deep-tissue imaging in complex 3D biological tissues. In particular, the candidate will work on the development of new optical instrumentation with a particular emphasis on advanced wavefront shaping and adaptive optics for aberration correction, to push the achievable imaging depth and resolution of three-photon microscopes in thick, scattering tissue. Additionally, the successful candidate will team up with biologists and international partners to apply these advances to current scientific questions in organoid biology and other deep-tissue biological systems.

This project is part of the recently funded EU Horizon Europe WIDERA Twinning grant. Within this international consortium, the candidate will lead the quantitative demonstration of the developed imaging methods and contribute to cross-site method development, including hosting and co-supervising visiting researchers from the partner institutions. The successful candidate is expected to take a strong lead on his/her project and start to develop independent ideas. Our multi-disciplinary lab provides an innovative, dynamic and constructive working environment for this purpose. More information about the Prevedel group can be found here: www.prevedel.embl.de

Specific responsibilities:

• Design of mechanical, optical, electronic and software components of novel, custom-built three-photon microscopes for deep-tissue 3D imaging.
• Development of advanced wavefront shaping and adaptive optics strategies (e.g. using spatial light modulators, deformable mirrors and/or digital micromirror devices) for aberration correction in thick, scattering tissue, including live animals (mouse/fish).
• Integration of adaptive optics control and computational reconstruction methods into the microscope's operation workflow, and quantitative benchmarking of imaging performance in a range of samples including organoid models.
• Demonstration of new imaging technologies in live biological samples in close collaboration with other team members, biologists, and the project's international partners, including cross-site experiments and researcher exchanges.
• Dissemination of research results in scientific publications and presentations at international conferences.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should have a PhD (or equivalent qualification) in physics, engineering, or an equivalent field of study, with a solid background in optics/photonics, preferably with prior experience in nonlinear/multiphoton microscopy and/or adaptive optics and wavefront shaping. The candidate should ideally have experience building and aligning complex optical setups, must be comfortable with complex technical equipment (including pulsed lasers, spatial light modulators, deformable mirrors and/or digital micromirror devices) and preferably possess advanced computer skills for programming hardware control (Matlab, Python, LabView, or similar) and/or simulation skills (CAD, ZEMAX, or similar). Prior experience working with live 3D biological samples (e.g. mouse, fish or organoid models) would be an advantage, as would enthusiasm for working within an international, multi-site collaborative project involving regular exchange with partner institutions abroad. A keen interest in biological applications of new optical technologies as well as experience in supervising students and laboratory organization would be an advantage.

Application Instructions

For questions, please contact directly Robert Prevedel ([e-mail]).

Contract: initially limited to 2 years; an extension is possible.

Stipend: Monthly stipend is 4.237,89 after tax , plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances. Excluding 12,99% personal pension and insurance.

The EMBL Fellows’ Career Service provides support and guidance to predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows across all six EMBL’s sites.

Working with a dedicated Careers Advisor, this invaluable service will help you to take informed decisions about your career planning both in the short and longer term. Whether your main interest is pursuing a career path in academia, exploring opportunities in industry or exploring an independent venture, the EMBL Fellows’ Career Service with provide you with a portfolio of activities and resources to help you.

To find out more please visit - EMBL-fellows-career-service

Why join us

Enjoy lots of employee benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family and child allowances, generous stipend reviewed yearly, pension scheme, death benefit and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working patterns
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year in addition to public holidays
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), on-site library, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, paid maternity & parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.
• Job location: All our fellowships are based on-site (for at least part of each week). If you are living overseas, you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here

Closing Date

09/11/2026