Research Associate (m/f/x) Light Microscopy and Image Analysis Specialist

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

The Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life (PoL) offers a project position as

Research Associate (m/f/x) Light Microscopy and Image Analysis Specialist (subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)

starting as soon as possible. The position is limited until December 31, 2032. The period of employment is governed by § 2 (2) Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). (if part-time), (if temporary). (part-time sentence, if applicable). (qualification aim or qualification sentence, if applicable)

The position includes the following Tasks:

• scientific research and development activities
• providing expert support to users of advanced imaging systems, including confocal, FLIM, multiphoton, and light-sheet microscopes, as well as biophysical technologies and all other microscopes in the PoL Light Imaging and Biophysics Facilities
• set up and maintain computing infrastructure dedicated to data storage and analysis
• collaboration with research groups and staff at the facility in the design, planning, and implementation of customized imaging workflows leveraging tools like ImageJ, Python, and machine learning
• development of custom-made image analysis pipelines/code in collaboration with research groups
• training and supporting users in the operation of advanced microscopy systems and in the application of best practices for image acquisition
• help develop, deploy, and operate infrastructure for storing, analyzing, and visualizing research data
• maintaining, calibrating, and optimizing imaging equipment to ensure optimal performance and reliability
• support in defining the facility strategy and acquisition of new equipment

Requirements:

• university and PhD degree in biophysics, physics, biology, or a similarly suitable field
• extensive hands-on experience with optical microscopes, particularly light-sheet microscopy
• proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, ImageJ Macro, bash) and a willingness to expand your skills
• experience in developing image analysis custom code (e.g., for cell or organelle segmentation, cell tracking, etc.)
• ability to handle large datasets, especially from lightsheet microscopy
• familiarity with open-source and commercial tools, such as ImageJ/Fiji, ilastik, Napari, Imaris, and machine-learning libraries (e.g., scikit-image, scikit-learn, etc), and AI software such as Claude.
• experience in imaging support and/or microscopy sample preparation is a significant advantage
• excellent communication skills and fluent written and spoken English and German
• ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams
• a service-oriented attitude and willingness to support and collaborate with instrument users

We offer:

• a dynamic, international, and top-tier research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities
• professional development opportunities through training and collaboration with experts in advanced imaging, analysis, and biophysical technologies
• participation in the supplementary pension scheme for public sector employees via the VBL
• the option to purchase a VVO-job ticket

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The university is a family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Application: If you recognize yourself in this profile, we look forward to receiving your application, which we ask you to submit by June 11, 2026 (stamped arrival date or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal by sending it as a single pdf file to [email protected] or to:

TU Dresden, PoL, Dr. Li-Ling Yang, Arnoldstraße 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany.

Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: .

Company

TU Dresden

Excellence – A matter close to our hearts

Excellence? Elitism? Opportunity or risk? The Excellence Programme, initially launched in 2005 by the German government has aroused passionate debate right from the start and still has the potential to polarise opinion.

TU Dresden (TUD) looks at it this way: excellence is all about performance and having the right attitude. For everyone here at TU Dresden – one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany since 2012 – it is also a matter very close to our hearts. Firstly because of the extra motivation and impetus generated, and secondly, because of the way we handle this role.

Our vision for the future can be summed up as follows: “Let us become one of the leading centres for research and teaching, with our own individual character and a special talent for networking, able to attract the best minds in Germany and from further afield.” After all, it is a well-known fact that excellence in research and teaching presupposes excellent conditions. Or, to put it figuratively, for excellent crop yields, you need the right soil and weather.

TU Dresden is a comprehensive university with 18 faculties and works in close collaboration with its top performers: three Clusters of Excellence, including the “Centre for Tactile Internet” (CeTI) , the Cluster “Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter” (ct.qmat) and the Cluster “Physics of Life” (PoL) . The guiding principle here is that strong individual elements become even stronger when they work together.

The vision for the future takes this principle beyond the confines of the university: with the research network DRESDEN-concept ( D resden R esearch and E ducation S ynergies for the D evelopment of E xcellence and N ovelty), TU Dresden has been creating an alliance of research and cultural facilities in the city, an “excellent playground for excellent people”. This bond is unique in Germany and has evolved over many years. It is not necessary to create anything new here, as it is simply a matter of building further storeys on top of an already solid structure. The measures envisaged as part of the DRESDEN-concept contribute to the overall development of TU Dresden and form an integral part of the university strategy.

Excellence is understood and practised in Dresden as an opportunity for the entire university, and in this spirit, TU Dresden takes those measures that lead to excellence – by the university, for the university – in cooperation with colleagues here and all over the world. But at the same time neither elitist nor exclusive. TUD’s excellence comes from the heart – from and for our about 32,400 students, 600 professors and about 8,400 members of staff. In this way, excellence becomes the basis, the objective, the approach and the driving force. And that’s why being a top performer can also be so rewarding and enjoyable.

Campus Image © Nils Eisfeld

Company info

Location

Dresden
01069 Dresden
Germany