The Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen is a world-renowned research institute and part of the German Max Planck Society. The Department of Algal Development and Evolution is seeking a:

Research Technician for Advanced Optical Microscopy (f/m/d)

About the project

Our laboratory is developing state-of-the-art genetic engineering and synthetic biology tools for the multicellular brown alga Ectocarpus. A central challenge is the visualization of gene expression, protein localization, genome editing events, and cellular phenotypes in highly auto fluorescent tissues.

Your responsibilities

• Perform fluorescence imaging workflows for living and fixed algal samples, improve imaging strategies to overcome autofluorescence and maximize signal-to-noise ratios.
• Conduct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH/RNA-FISH) protocols.
• Image fluorescent reporter lines generated through transformation and genome editing.
• Perform quantitative phenotyping of CRISPR/Cas-generated mutants.
• Perform advanced microscopy approaches, including super-resolution microscopy (STED, SIM or Airyscan), FLIM, expansion microscopy, or related techniques.
• Work closely with molecular biologists to integrate advanced microscopy into the institute's synthetic biology programme.

Your profile

• A degree or equivalent professional qualification in biology, biotechnology, bioimaging, biophysics, optical technologies, or a related field. Applicants with specialised training or substantial practical experience in advanced light microscopy are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Practical experience in fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis is required
• Experience with live-cell imaging and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and imaging auto fluorescent specimens (e.g. plants, algae, fungi, photosynthetic organisms, or tissues) is desirable.
• Experience with ImageJ/Fiji and quantitative image analysis; Python, Napari, or machine-learning-based image analysis is an advantage.
• Interest in new imaging methodologies and solving microscopy problems.
• Previous experience with algae is not required.

We offer

• Access to cutting-edge microscopy facilities and close collaboration with imaging experts.
• The opportunity to develop novel imaging approaches for one of the first synthetic biology platforms in multicellular marine algae.
• An international, collaborative, and interdisciplinary working environment

The position is available from January 2027 and is limited for 2 years with the possibility of extension.

Salary will be according to the German public service pay scale (TVöD), depending on qualifications and experience.

Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their motivation for the position, a CV, and relevant certificates via our job portal   https://jobs.tue.mpg.de/jobs/283 by 31. October 2026. Applications should be written in English.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourages women to apply.

The Max Planck Society strives to employ more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.