AMBER Postdoctoral Fellowship: Development of AI-assisted sample optimisation workflows for cryo-EM

EMBL; Grenoble; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Generous stipend reviewed yearly

Private medical insurance

30 days annual leave plus public holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Résumé du poste

EMBL in Grenoble is offering a 3-year AMBER postdoc position focused on advanced biological imaging and machine learning. The role involves being the primary contact between Grenoble and EBI, engaging in biomedical projects, and developing imaging techniques.

The successful candidate will have a PhD, relevant experiences such as cryo-EM and AI, and a publication record. EMBL provides a generous benefits package including private medical insurance, flexible working arrangements, and 30 days annual leave.

Qualifications

• Maximum 8 years after a doctoral degree (PhD) required.
• At least one original publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Experience in cryo-EM, AI, and data science is essential.

Responsabilités

• Act as primary contact between Grenoble and EBI.
• Work on clinical and biomedical projects combining imaging techniques.
• Develop techniques for integrating data analysis with imaging.

Connaissances

Background in relevant methods (cryo-EM, AI, data science)

Publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Formation

Doctoral degree (PhD)

Description du poste

Overview

EMBL is Europe’s life sciences laboratory – an intergovernmental organisation with more than 110 independent research groups and service teams covering the spectrum of molecular biology. It operates across six sites in Heidelberg (headquarters), Barcelona, Cambridge, Grenoble, Hamburg and Rome. Our mission is to perform basic research in molecular biology, train scientists, students and visitors at all levels, offer vital services to scientists in the public and private sectors within the member states, develop new instruments and methods, and engage actively in technology transfer.

Program Context

The post‑doctoral position is part of the EU co‑fund research project AMBER (Advanced Multiscale Biological Imaging using European Research infrastructures). The project addresses scientific and technical gaps in biological imaging from molecular to organism levels, and is coordinated by the LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X‑ray Science. AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska‑Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme. Eight postdocs will be recruited in the final call, each fellowship lasting 36 months. AMBER’s core partners include Lund University/MAX IV, Sweden; the European Spallation Source (ESS), Sweden; the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL); Institut Laue‑Langevin (ILL), France; the International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMOL), Poland; and the Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, United Kingdom.

Your role

Recent developments in cryo‑EM workflows have highlighted the potential of machine learning in various stages of the pipeline. Precise application of these approaches to sample preparation and vitrification remains challenging due to a lack of automated, reproducible workflows. The EasyGrid instrument, developed at EMBL, is one of the most advanced automated sample preparation systems: it performs plasma treatment of sample supports, dispensing, spreading, jet vitrification and storage. A complementary quality‑control instrument (EasyGrid Control) generates nanometre‑scale thickness maps of prepared specimens.

The EasyGrid workflow is expected to be integrated into a closed‑loop system that optimises cryo‑EM sample‑preparation parameters without requiring immediate microscope access. A database is being developed to store all metadata associated with each prepared sample (chemical composition, preparation and vitrification parameters, pre‑screening atlases, storage conditions, and cryo‑EM screening data). Mining this dataset will enable the training of specialised AI models for automated, data‑driven optimisation of cryo‑EM sample preparation.

As the AMBER postdoc, you will act as the primary point of contact between Grenoble and EBI, supported by the EMPIAR and EMDB teams. Your work will include clinical and biomedical projects and technique development aimed at combining imaging techniques and data analysis to provide an integrated picture of life processes in health and disease.

Qualifications & Eligibility

• Maximum 8 years after a doctoral degree (PhD) as required by the project Grant Agreement.
• At least one original publication in a peer‑reviewed journal.
• A background in relevant methods (cryo‑EM, AI, data science).
• Strict compliance with the MSCA mobility rule (researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in the host organisation's country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the call deadline).

Contract

Duration: 3 years.

Benefits

• Financial incentives: monthly family and child allowances, generous stipend reviewed yearly, pension scheme, death benefit, and unemployment insurance.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid patterns.
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family.
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• Campus life: shuttle bus (Heidelberg), on‑site library, subsidised cafeteria, casual dress code, sports and social club activities.
• Family benefits: kindergarten (Heidelberg), child sick leave, paid maternity & parental leave, monthly family and child allowances.

Diversity & Inclusion

EMBL welcomes applicants of all genders, identities, nationalities and diverse backgrounds. International applicants may be offered visa exemptions.

Location & Relocation

All fellowships are based on‑site (at least part of each week). Relocation support is offered for overseas applicants.

Closing Date

24/08/2026