Research Associate (f-m-d) at the Faculty of Natural Sciences I / Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology & Biozentrum

Modern, interconnected, conscious of tradition: Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) is the oldest and largest university in the State of Saxony-Anhalt with a history dating back more than 500 years. Today more than 20,000 students are enrolled at the university. MLU’s core research areas are in the nanosciences and biosciences, the Enlightenment, as well as in social and cultural research. The university has excellent national and international ties, and works closely together with leading research institutes, industry, and more than 250 universities around the world.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences I / Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology & Biozentrum, Core Facility Microscopy at Martin Luther university is seeking a full time

Research Associate (f-m-d)

for a fixed term until 31 December 2027, starting as soon as possible.

Remuneration will be determined based on job duties and responsibilities and will be aligned with the fulfillment of listed personal requirements, up to pay grade 13 under the TV-L (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder – 'German Public Service Pay Agreement for the Federal States').

In the joint research project "Value Plant – Plant-Based Valuable Compounds and Optimization of Crop Productivity," innovative scientific methods are being developed to extract plant-based valuable compounds and enhance the stress tolerance of crops. By combining fundamental plant science research with applied biotechnology, sustainable solutions are created for the fields of nutrition, agriculture, and the bioeconomy.

Microscopic analysis plays a key role in this project, enabling the detailed characterization of cell structures, molecular processes, and biotechnological modifications in the studied plant models.

Job Responsibilities:

• Method Development & Imaging: Establishing, applying, and advancing light and electron microscopy techniques as well as correlative/multimodal approaches, including image analysis and quantitative evaluation of microscopic data
• Biological Application: Investigation of cellular and subcellular structures in biological, preferably plant-based, material, including in the context of visualizing biotechnological modifications
• User Support & Training: Advising, training, and supporting students, doctoral researchers, users, and project partners in microscopy methods and data analysis
• Scientific Communication: Documentation and publication of results in peer-reviewed journals; active participation in interdisciplinary project teams, including presentations at project meetings and conferences
• Room for Your Own Ideas: We explicitly welcome your own methodological and scientific ideas, provided they fit within the context of the collaborative project and/or the strategic development of the Core Facility.

We look forward to receiving applications from candidates who wish to contribute their own initiatives and actively help shape our work.

Requirements:

• completed university degree in the natural sciences or medicine
• a doctoral degree or comparable relevant professional experience is an advantage
• Practical experience in light and/or electron microscopy in the life sciences
• Expertise Experience in image analysis and evaluation of microscopic data
• Independent, structured way of working, strong organizational skills, team spirit, and initiative in day-to-day facility work
• Excellent communication skills in German and English (minimum B2/C1)
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage:
  • Correlative/multimodal microscopy, including common software packages
  • Working with plant-based material
  • 3D reconstruction techniques, including common software packages

We offer:

• Access to a diverse range of equipment (TEM, cryo-capable, CLSM, HPF/freeze substitution, among others)
• Interesting and varied fields of activity with creative freedom at the largest employer in the region
• the opportunity to support the education of young people through your work and to contribute to gaining new insights and answering important scientific research questions
• public service employment with remuneration according to the Tarifvertrag der Länder (TV-L) (‘Collective Agreement for the Public Service’) including an annual special payment and a company pension
• 30 days of annual vacation plus additional days off on December 24 and 31
• a family-friendly, diversity-oriented, and intercultural work environment at a certified family-oriented university, including holiday childcare
• comprehensive staff development throughout all career stages with diverse training and qualification opportunities, including educational leave
• a health management framework to promote and maintain good health, as well as a broad university sports program
• the opportunity to participate in diverse social communities (e.g. university sports teams, university choir or university orchestra)
• reduced-price meals in the cafeterias of the Studentenwerk (Student Services) Halle

Applications from disabled persons, including those of equal status (as certified by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit / Federal Employment Agency), will be given preferential consideration if they are equally suitable and qualified. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications from individuals of all nationalities are explicitly welcome. Applicants with a degree that was not obtained at a German university must submit a Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) (https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education) as proof of equivalence upon conclusion of the employment contract. You can find ways to apply for a financial grant for this under: https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/pro/anerkennungszuschuss.php#.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Dr. Stephanie Krüger , Tel.: 0345 55 -21610, Email: [email protected].

Please submit your full application exclusively as one pdf file including the usual documents (letter of motivation, CV, certificates, reference contacts and/or reference letters are explicitly desirable) with registration number 5-9945/26-D by 02.11.2026 via E-Mail [email protected].

Only complete application documents will be considered. This job posting is subject to potential budgetary restrictions. Application costs will not be reimbursed by Martin Luther University. Application documents will only be returned if a sufficiently stamped envelope is enclosed. Electronic applications are welcome.