Job Description
Do you enjoy using advanced electron microscopy to help scientists answer their biological questions? Then join the Electron Microscopy Core Facility (EMCF) at EMBL Heidelberg.
We specialise in cellular electron microscopy. Our work covers the full workflow, from sample preparation to imaging. We have a particular focus on correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and volume electron microscopy (vEM).
Our mission is to enable research. We support research groups from all EMBL sites, as well as external academic and industry users. Some users ask us to carry out their experiments. Others are trained to book and use our instruments themselves.
We are a team of five operational staff, led by the Head of the facility. We have complementary expertise and work together as one team. We are now looking for a new colleague to join us.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform EM experiments for users, from sample preparation to imaging and analysis
- Meet users before their projects start and advise them on the best approach
- Guide users through their experiments and train them on our workflows and instruments
- Analyse data and report results clearly to users
- Organise and teach in courses and workshops
- Help develop and introduce new methods in correlative and volume EM
- Operate our electron microscopes and carry out first-line maintenance
- Contribute to the day-to-day running of the facility
Qualifications
- A degree in biology, life sciences, biophysics or a related field, or an equivalent technical qualification (e.g. BTA/MTA)
- Substantial hands-on experience in electron microscopy for the life sciences
- Expertise in several of the following:
- Sample preparation: chemical fixation, cryo-fixation, resin embedding and ultramicrotomy
- Transmission electron microscopy
- Volume EM: electron tomography, FIB-SEM, SBF-SEM or array tomography
- Correlative imaging: CLEM or CXEM
- Experience with EM software for acquisition, processing or analysis, such as SerialEM, SBEMimage, IMOD, MIB, Amira or Dragonfly
- A service mindset. You enjoy helping users succeed and can explain techniques clearly.
- Good organisational skills. You can manage several projects at once.
- Good communication skills in English. You are a team player who likes to share knowledge.
Skills Required
- You might also have:
- Research experience involving electron microscopy on biological samples
- Experience working in a core facility or another service environment
- Experience maintaining electron microscopes
- Programming skills (e.g. Python, Java) to automate workflows
- Experience developing new EM or correlative methods
- Experience teaching practical courses
Additional Information
| Company | European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) |
|---|---|
| Location | Heidelberg |
| Job Type | Full-time · 3-year contract (renewable up to 9 years) |
| Experience Level | Research Technician / Scientific Officer |
| Salary / Stipend | Grade 5 or 6 – monthly salary from EUR 4,147.92 net of tax + EMBL benefits |
| Application Deadline | 2026-11-17 |
| Posted Date | 2026-10-20 |
| Company Website | https://www.embl.org/ ↗ |
| Source | Official Career Page ↗ |
| Facility | Electron Microscopy Core Facility (EMCF), EMBL Heidelberg |
| Level | can be filled at Research Technician or Scientific Officer level; duties are the same, grade depends on qualifications and experience |
| Contract duration | 3 years (renewable up to 9 years) |
| International applicants | visa exemptions offered |
| How to apply | cover letter and CV through the online system; applications close at 23:59 CET on the closing date |
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