PhD Student or part-time Postdoc in Advanced Optical Microscopy Development (f/m/d)

Become part of our strong team! Aalen University is one of the most research-intensive universities of applied sciences in Germany. Regionally, nationally and internationally, Aalen University has been a reliable partner for over 50 years - for students, staff and lecturers, for local communities, the economy and more than 130 international cooperation partners. We attach great importance to modern and future-oriented teaching because the combination of theory and practice is crucial for us.

The Group of Prof. Dr. Walter at the Centre of Optical Technologies (ZOT) aims at developing novel correlative microscopy solutions to facilitate imaging across scales in life sciences – in close collaborations with regional industrial partners - We plan to combine advanced fluorescence microscopy with electron microscopy to visualize molecules within their subcellular context at high resolution using Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM). Specifically, we envision a unique advanced super-resolution and volume CLEM workflow under cryo-conditions (Correlative Cryo-Super-Resolution Light and Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy) that overcomes the current limitations, pushes correlative microscopy further and allows us, together with our collaboration partners, to tackle specific biomedical research questions that could not be answered before due to the lack of accessible solutions. This is a highly interdisciplinary project between physics, engineering, optics, life and computer sciences, and we are looking for

a PhD Student or part-time Postdoc in Advanced Optical Microscopy

Development (f/m/d)

- part-time 60% (23,7 h/week) –

to help us tackle several biomedical showcase projects (from nanoplastics to cell infections) by building and applying novel CLEM techniques.

Your future area of responsibility

For the implementation of the project, according to your skill set and interests, your main task is to (1) build a first cryo-super-resolution microscope (Structured Illumination Microscopy). You will also work on (2) establishing Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIBSEM) for biological samples at Aalen University, and (3) setting up correlative (automated) workflows between the two imaging techniques.

Your primary responsibilities will include

• Building a super-resolution microscope at room temperature, including hardware control and image analysis Implementation at cryogenic conditions Application to biomedical research questions FIBSEM data acquisition at a few nanometers’ resolution Correlative imaging using light & electron microscopy Optimization of electron microscopy sample carriers by micropatterning Close collaboration with Carl Zeiss GmbH & Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology Confocal microscopy Sample preparation and optimization Cell culture

Your profile

• Master’s degree in physics, biomedical engineering, or similar Proven experience in advanced fluorescence microscopy and optical alignment Proven experience in image processing and programming Highly proactive, driven-, and an independent team player

In addition, it would be beneficial to have experience in

• Cell biology, cell culture, and tackling biomedical research using bioimaging Hardware control Electron microscopy Cryo-microscopy Correlative light and electron microscopy

We offer you

• A crisis-proof job An exciting and varied field of activity Cooperation in a friendly and motivated team Flexible and family-friendly working hours A company pension scheme (supplementary pension) Attractive company health management offers Modern office equipment Regular opportunities for further training A Job ticket from the state of Baden-Württemberg Childcare spots in the Einsteinchen day care centre at Aalen University of Applied Sciences

The position is limited to three years.

The position will be classified in pay group 13 of the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L), provided that the legal and personal requirements are met. Severely disabled applicants who qualify will be given special consideration. Further information can be found at http://www.hs-aalen.de/sbv.

Aalen University aims to increase its proportion of women and therefore expressly encourages qualified women to apply. For further information, please contact the Equal Opportunities Officer, Ms. Sabine Gold http://www.hs-aalen.de/chancengleichheit/.

Ask us! Would you like to know more about this position? Feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, andreas.walter@hs-aalen.de

Are you interested?

If you are interested in R&D in advanced microscopy with different radiations (from light to electrons), biophotonics, biomedicine, and image & data processing and want to help push the frontiers in cell biology, we look forward to receiving your application (motivation letter, CV, 2 reference letters or contact list of referees, and any other relevant information).

Then we look forward to receiving your application (reference number 22-09-04) by 03.10.2022 via our online application portal at www.hs-aalen.de/stellen.