PhD Candidate in Optoacoustic Tomography (f/m/x)

Helmholtz Zentrum München; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 54,806 - 68,508; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scientific Training: Helmholtz Munich

Career Center for PhD candidates

State-of-the-art infrastructure

Health promotion initiatives

International staff relocation support

Job summary

Helmholtz Munich is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to develop the next generation of hand-held multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) systems for clinical imaging. You will join a multidisciplinary team spanning optics, acoustics, electronics, computation, engineering, physics, and medicine at Neuherberg near Munich.

The position focuses on advanced hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging with unprecedented image quality and quantitative performance, contributing to EU and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, medical technology, optics, mechatronics, computer engineering, or a related discipline.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Programming experience in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Experience in electronics, optics, ultrasound, sensors or CAD is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop next-generation hand-held hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging systems with high image quality and quantitative performance.
• Advance clinical imaging solutions for cancer diagnosis, therapy monitoring, and disease evaluation.
• Develop optical, acoustic, electronic, and computational technologies for clinical optoacoustic imaging.
• Collaborate with clinical partners and a MedTech start-up to translate technology to healthcare.
• Publish in leading journals and present at international conferences.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation.

Skills

Problem solving

Interdisciplinary research

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in physics, electrical/mechanical/biomedical engineering or related discipline

Tools

MATLAB

Python

CAD

Job description

PhD Candidate in Optoacoustic Tomography (f/m/x)

Full time, 39 hrs./week, Neuherberg near Munich

At Helmholtz Munich, we develop groundbreaking solutions for a healthier society in a rapidly changing world. We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. Through strong partnerships, we accelerate the transfer of new ideas from the lab to real-life applications, improving lives.

The Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI) at Helmholtz Munich and the Chair of Biological Imaging (CBI) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) form one of Europe's leading centers for biomedical imaging and sensing innovation. Our mission is to create transformative technologies that reveal previously inaccessible biological information and accelerate breakthroughs in medicine, biology, and environmental health.

Our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers from more than 25 countries develops technologies that bridge fundamental research, clinical translation, and real-world healthcare impact. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, strong industrial partnerships, and a proven track record of innovation, IBMI offers an exceptional environment for ambitious researchers seeking to work at the forefront of bioengineering.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD Candidate (f/m/x) to develop the next generation of hand-held multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) systems for clinical imaging. This project aims to establish advanced hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging technologies with unprecedented image quality and quantitative performance.

As part of a multidisciplinary team spanning optics, acoustics, electronics, computation, engineering, physics, medicine, and clinical translation, you will contribute to technologies that expand the capabilities of clinical optoacoustic imaging and accelerate their translation toward real-world healthcare applications.

Join us in shaping the future of biomedical imaging

Your tasks

• Develop next-generation hand-held hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging systems with unprecedented image quality and quantitative performance.
• Advance clinical imaging solutions for cancer diagnosis and therapy monitoring, treatment-related toxicity assessment, and cardiometabolic disease evaluation.
• Develop innovative optical, acoustic, electronic, and computational technologies and components for clinical optoacoustic imaging.
• Contribute to internationally visible research programs funded by the European Union and the German Government.
• Collaborate closely with clinical partners and an innovative MedTech start-up to accelerate technology translation toward healthcare applications.
• Publish in leading journals, present at international conferences, and contribute to intellectual property generation.
• Help redefine how advanced imaging technologies support diagnosis, therapy monitoring, and precision medicine.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, medical technology, optics, mechatronics, computer engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong motivation, scientific curiosity, and commitment to scientific excellence.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: electronics and microelectronics, optical systems and lasers, ultrasound or sensor technologies, precision instrumentation, mechanical design and Computer-Aided Design (CAD), biomedical imaging systems.
• Programming experience in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with optoacoustics, ultrasound imaging, embedded systems, electronics, image reconstruction, or scientific software development.

This position is embedded within major research and innovation programs funded by the European Union and the German Government and offers exceptional opportunities for scientific visibility, professional growth, and future leadership.

It provides the opportunity for you to build specialist knowledge whilst developing key professional experience, both of which will help you to make strides in your scientific career.

Remuneration and social security benefits are based on the German Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees at Federal Level (EG 13 50%TV EntgO Bund). In addition, there is also the possibility of receiving an allowance if the applicable conditions are met. The position has an (initial) fixed term of three years but may be extended under certain circumstances.

Managing Director Mike Frieser:

„We believe that diversity is the key to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions. Our flexible working models and remote options create a supportive environment for balancing work and family life. For us, contributing to a healthier society in such an inspiring workplace is truly meaningful.“

We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and welcome applications from talented people regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical abilities, religion or age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.

Benefits

• Scientific Training: Helmholtz Munich Graduate School
• Career counseling: Career Center for PhD candidates
• Scientific Resources: State-of-the-art infrastruture and Core Facilities
• Health Promotion: Sports, company doctor, mental health initiatives
• International Staff Service: Support with the relocation and integration process in Germany

Learn more about diversity at Helmholtz Munich

Helmholtz Munich

Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)

Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging

Ingolstädter Landstraße 1

85764 Neuherberg