PostDoc position (f/m/d) on the development of microbiopsies for soft X-ray imaging

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation.

The Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) offers as of February 1, 2026, limited up 2 years, a

PostDoc position (f/m/d) on the development of microbiopsies for soft X-ray imaging
PhD in engineering, physics, microsystems engineering or biomedical engineering

The ERC-funded Synergy project “NanoX: Nanoscale X-ray tissue imaging: understanding the pathophysiology of hepatitis E infection” combines the expertise of a diverse team with synergistic skills in infectious disease, physics, engineering, and structural biology to pioneer several technological innovations. At the heart of the project is the development of a targeted micro-biopsy tool for rapid tissue extraction, which is compatible with soft X-ray tomography and can be used in high biological risk facilities.

You will have the following tasks:

• Development and optimization of micromanipulators and automated systems for microbiopsy together with the PhD student
• Integration of microbiopsy system into soft X-ray microscope, testing its performance under cryogenic conditions and X-ray irradiation
• Optimisation of protocols for tissue handling, integration of mechanical and biological data, testing outcomes, and system performance
• Implementation of the developed technology at project partner laboratories
• Establishing collaboration with industrial partners to implement practical solutions and facilitating technology transfer

Personal qualification

• A successfully completed PhD in engineering, physics, microsystems engineering, biomedical engineering, or a related field is required
• Solid knowledge and practical experience in micromanipulation, automation technology, and high-throughput microscopy
• Experience in the development and implementation of complex technical systems, ideally with an interdisciplinary background
• Excellent analytical skills and experience in experimental data analysis

If you enjoy solving challenging technical puzzles and want to collaborate with colleagues from around the world, we look forward to receiving your application.

Become a member of staff of the only German University of Excellence that conducts large-scale research on the national level. Work under excellent working conditions in an international environment and be active in research and academic education for our future. Benefit from specific train-ing when starting your job and from a wide range of further qualification offers. Use our flexi-ble working time models (flexitime, work from home), our sports and leisure offers, as well as our child and holiday care services. We also pay a share of EUR 25/month in the Job Ticket Baden-Württemberg. Enjoy a large variety of dishes, snacks, and beverages at our canteens.

We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.

Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.

Please apply online until November 16, 2025 using the vacancy number 423/2025 to Ms Gätcke, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Human Resources, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Weinhardt, email: venera.weinhardt@kit.edu.

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KIT – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association