Job Description
The Prevedel group at EMBL Heidelberg is seeking a postdoc with an applied physics and/or engineering background to work on advanced three-photon microscopy for deep-tissue imaging in complex 3D biological tissues. The candidate will develop new optical instrumentation with an emphasis on advanced wavefront shaping and adaptive optics for aberration correction, to push the imaging depth and resolution of three-photon microscopes in thick, scattering tissue, and will team up with biologists and international partners to apply these advances to questions in organoid biology and other deep-tissue biological systems.
The project is part of a recently funded EU Horizon Europe WIDERA Twinning grant. Within this international consortium, the candidate will lead the quantitative demonstration of the developed imaging methods and contribute to cross-site method development, including hosting and co-supervising visiting researchers from partner institutions. The successful candidate is expected to take a strong lead on the project and start to develop independent ideas.
Key Responsibilities
- Design mechanical, optical, electronic and software components of novel, custom-built three-photon microscopes for deep-tissue 3D imaging
- Develop advanced wavefront shaping and adaptive optics strategies (spatial light modulators, deformable mirrors and/or digital micromirror devices) for aberration correction in thick, scattering tissue, including live animals (mouse/fish)
- Integrate adaptive optics control and computational reconstruction methods into the microscope workflow, and benchmark imaging performance in samples including organoid models
- Demonstrate new imaging technologies in live biological samples with biologists and international partners, including cross-site experiments and researcher exchanges
- Disseminate results in scientific publications and at international conferences
Qualifications
- PhD (or equivalent) in physics, engineering or an equivalent field
- Solid background in optics/photonics, preferably with experience in nonlinear/multiphoton microscopy and/or adaptive optics and wavefront shaping
- Fluency in English
Experience
Ideally experience building and aligning complex optical setups and working with pulsed lasers, spatial light modulators, deformable mirrors and/or DMDs. Experience with live 3D biological samples (mouse, fish or organoids), supervising students and lab organisation is an advantage.
Skills Required
- Optics/photonics, multiphoton microscopy, adaptive optics
- Hardware-control programming (Matlab, Python, LabView or similar)
- Simulation/CAD skills (CAD, ZEMAX or similar)
- Independent, well-organised, reliable team worker
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
Additional Information
| Company | European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) |
|---|---|
| Location | Heidelberg |
| Job Type | Full-time · Postdoctoral fellowship |
| Experience Level | Postdoctoral |
| Salary / Stipend | Monthly stipend EUR 4,237.89 after tax + benefits and allowances |
| Application Deadline | 2026-11-09 |
| Posted Date | 2026-10-13 |
| Company Website | https://www.embl.org/ ↗ |
| Source | Official Career Page ↗ |
| Group | Prevedel group (www.prevedel.embl.de) |
| Reference | JR4654 |
| Contract | Initially 2 years; extension possible |
| Stipend | EUR 4,237.89/month after tax, plus allowances |
| Funding | EU Horizon Europe WIDERA Twinning grant |
| Career support | EMBL Fellows' Career Service |
| How to apply | Cover letter + CV via EMBL online system (closes 23:59 CET) |
| Informal queries | Robert Prevedel |
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