Optical Engineer/Research Scientist

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

The Research Scientist will join the Prevedel group at EMBL Heidelberg. The goal of the lab is to develop next-generation, innovative optical imaging techniques to push the frontier of deep tissue and in vivo microscopy, with direct applications in biology and neuroscience. The primary role is to support the group by contributing to its research projects and day-to-day laboratory management.

The successful candidate will directly participate in the group’s research projects and will be responsible for training and providing technical assistance to students and postdoctoral fellows. They will also be in charge of general lab organisation (Lab manager), including ordering of supplies and equipment and maintenance of databases.

Your role

• Design of mechanical, optical, and electronic components of cutting-edge, custom light microscopes for three-dimensional imaging inside scattering biological tissue.
• Construction, alignment, and adaptation of custom microscopy setups for specific life science applications and imaging conditions.
• Development and maintenance of hardware control and data acquisition software (LabView, Python, Matlab, or similar), including automation of imaging workflows and post-processing pipelines.
• Maintenance and development of the group’s codebase and GitHub repositories, and providing cluster computing support for large-scale data analysis.
• Programming and customisation of computational data analysis packages, including three-dimensional visualisation and quantitative analysis of imaging data.
• CAD-based design of custom optomechanical components for microscope construction and sample interfacing.
• Working in close collaboration with biologists and the EMBL instrumentation workshops to ensure practicality and usability of the microscopes, including custom sample mounts and environmental control.
• Ensuring a continuous technology watch to keep the group’s microscopes at a cutting-edge level in terms of both hardware and software.
• Training and providing technical assistance to students and postdoctoral fellows in the group.
• Representing the lab in the Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit’s lab manager network, participating in joint weekly meetings, and contributing to cross-unit technical coordination.
• General lab organisation, including ordering of supplies and equipment, maintenance of databases, and oversight of laser and chemical safety protocols.

You have

• 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 one or more of: 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.

You may also have

• Experience with computational optics, image analysis, or large-scale data processing on compute clusters.
• Familiarity with laser, biological and chemical safety regulations in a research laboratory environment.
• Prior experience with biological sample preparation and handling.
• Experience supervising students or junior researchers in a technical setting.
• A keen interest in the biological and neuroscientific applications of novel optical technologies.

Contract length

The initial contract is for a period of 3 years with the possibility of a fixed-term extension depending on individual performance.

Salary

Grade 5 or 6; depending on experience and qualifications (monthly salary starting from € 4.147,92 - 4.713,20 after tax, before German social security contribution)

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays
• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), 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, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.
• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.
• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
• 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.

Closing Date

14/09/2026