Optical Engineer — Custom Microscopes & Lab Lead

European Bioinformatics Institute; Hinxton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance for you and/

Relocation package

Flexible working arrangements

Campus life and on-site facilities

Generous annual leave

Job summary

EMBL Heidelberg invites applications for a Research Scientist in the Prevedel group. The role centers on designing and building advanced light microscopes for 3D imaging inside tissue, and developing associated hardware and software for automated imaging workflows.

You will train students, maintain databases, and collaborate with biologists and workshops to ensure usable, state-of-the-art systems. Strong English, hands-on problem solving, and project organisation are essential.

Qualifications

• MSc, or preferably a PhD, in optical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with advanced optical systems, including alignment and characterisation of complex microscopy or spectroscopy setups and pulsed laser systems.
• Strong programming skills in LabView, Python, Matlab, or similar.
• Proficiency in CAD software for the design of optomechanical components.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks independently and reliably.
• A pragmatic, hands-on mindset — focused on finding practical solutions and getting things to work.
• Fluency in English and strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical, optical, and electronic components of custom light microscopes for 3D imaging in scattering tissue.
• Construct, align, and adapt microscopy setups for specific life science applications.
• Develop and maintain hardware control and data acquisition software (LabView, Python, Matlab).
• Maintain codebase and GitHub repositories; provide cluster computing support for data analysis.
• Program and customise computational data analysis packages including 3D visualization.
• CAD-based design of optomechanical components for microscope construction.
• Collaborate with biologists and EMBL workshops to ensure practicality and usability.
• Keep technology watch to maintain cutting-edge hardware and software.

Skills

LabView

Python

Matlab

Education

PhD in optical engineering or related field

MSc in optical engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

electronics alignment

Job description

EMBL Heidelberg invites applications for a Research Scientist in the Prevedel group. The role centers on designing and building advanced light microscopes for 3D imaging inside tissue, and developing associated hardware and software for automated imaging workflows.

You will train students, maintain databases, and collaborate with biologists and workshops to ensure usable, state-of-the-art systems. Strong English, hands-on problem solving, and project organisation are essential.