Research Technician / Scientific Officer (Electron Microscopy)

Location: Campus-based position in Heidelberg, Germany

Salary: Grade 5 or 6, starting from 4,147.92 EUR net of tax per month, excluding health insurance and pension contributions

Company

hirify.global is an international, curiosity-driven research organisation supporting biological research through its facilities and scientific programmes.

What you will do

• Perform electron microscopy experiments for users, covering sample preparation, imaging, and data analysis.
• Meet users before projects, advise on experimental approaches, guide experiments, and train users on workflows and instruments.
• Analyse data and report results clearly to users.
• Organise and teach courses and workshops.
• Help develop and introduce new methods in correlative and volume electron microscopy.
• Operate electron microscopes, carry out first-line maintenance, and contribute to the day-to-day running of the facility.

Requirements

• Degree in biology, life sciences, biophysics, or a related field, or an equivalent technical qualification such as BTA/MTA.
• Substantial hands-on experience in electron microscopy for the life sciences.
• Expertise in several relevant areas, including chemical fixation, cryo-fixation, resin embedding, ultramicrotomy, and transmission electron microscopy.
• Expertise in volume electron microscopy, such as electron tomography, FIB-SEM, SBF-SEM, or array tomography.
• Expertise in correlative imaging, such as CLEM or CXEM.
• Experience with EM acquisition, processing, or analysis software such as SerialEM, SBEMimage, IMOD, MIB, Amira, or Dragonfly.
• Service mindset, with the ability to help users succeed and explain techniques clearly.
• Good organisational and communication skills, including the ability to manage several projects at once.
• Good communication skills in English and a collaborative approach to sharing knowledge.

Nice to 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 in Python, Java, or similar languages for workflow automation.
• Experience developing new EM or correlative methods.
• Experience teaching practical courses.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive, flexible, international, curiosity-driven, and community-oriented working culture.
• Three-year contract, renewable up to nine years; the position may be filled at Research Technician or Scientific Officer level depending on qualifications and experience.
• Salary free of income tax, annual salary review, pension scheme, insurance coverage, and family, child, and non-resident allowances.
• Private medical insurance for the employee and immediate family, including prescriptions and dental and optical coverage.
• 30 days of annual leave in addition to public holidays.
• Relocation package, campus shuttle bus, subsidised cafeteria, library, sports and social clubs, kindergarten, parental benefits, and support for international newcomers.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter and CV through the online application system.
• Applications close at 23:59 CET on 17 November 2026.
• A response is expected within two weeks after the closing date.