Postdoctoral Position (f/m/d) in Engineering Robotic Systems for Autonomous Biological Experimentation

Universität Heidelberg

The Ruperto Carola University in Heidelberg is one of Europe′s leading research institutions and the oldest university in Germany. The Neuenheimer Feld Campus of Heidelberg University is the largest campus for natural and life sciences in Germany, bridging engineering sciences, computational sciences, and life sciences. Heidelberg University invites applications for the following full-time postdoc position to begin as soon as possible.

Postdoctoral Position (f/m/d) in Engineering Robotic Systems for Autonomous Biological Experimentation

The Position:

• We are looking for a talented and motivated engineer or computer scientist to establish a robotic platform for autonomous experimentation in organoid culturing. You will work with life scientists to design, integrate, and establish the platform’s robotic and automation subsystems. We are searching an interdisciplinary scientist with a passion for translating their expertise into biological applications.
• You will engineer new sensing and control approaches and will integrate novel hardware (including electrode arrays, microdevices, analytical systems) into automated robotic pipelines
• You will also apply machine learning-based analyses to imaging and sensor data, with applications in disease modeling and the development of material science-based innovations. These efforts aim to optimize system performance and uncover novel biological insights in close collaboration with life scientists.

Your Role:

• Lead the integration of multiple automated subsystems, including liquid handlers, robotic arms, and imaging modules, into a functional robotic platform, with substantial autonomy to shape the design and integration strategy
• Design and prototype novel hardware and control systems for in vitro platforms
• Adapt and implement machine learning protocols for robotic decision-making in organoid and organ-on-a-chip culture optimization
• Collaborate with a diverse team of engineers, physicists, and biologists to refine and expand platform capabilities
• Utilize automated robotic approaches to assist with uncovering novel disease biology, with an initial emphasis on gastrointestinal organoids in collaboration with the Boutros group, while retaining flexibility to extend to other organoid and tissue models

Your Profile:

• PhD in electrical engineering, automation, robotics, computer science, or a related field, with evidence of innovative and impactful research
• Demonstrated experience in robotic systems and automation, ideally with applications in precision or laboratory environments
• Experience with machine learning (especially reinforcement learning in image analysis) is highly desirable, and familiarity with integrating AI into control or sensing workflows is a plus
• Strong creativity and problem-solving skills, with an interest in engineering novel biosensing, automation, or material-interaction platforms
• Motivation to collaborate closely with biologists and apply engineering expertise to biomedical challenges; previous experience in biology or interdisciplinary research is advantageous

This full-time position is temporarily funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung for up to two years (https://www.carl-zeiss-stiftung.de/en/project-overview/detail/precision-organoid-engineering-for-multi-organ-interaction-studies-poem) and remunerated according to TV-L.

Employment at Heidelberg University needs to follow the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). Applications should be sent as a single PDF no later than September 30^th 2025 by e-mail with subject “Application POEM 5” to Elvira Pashkovskaya (elvira.pashkovskaya@kip.uni-heidelberg.de). Please direct any informal inquiries to Wolfram Pernice (wolfram.pernice@kip.uni-heidelberg.de) or Kim Boonekamp (k.boonekamp@dkfz-heidelberg.de).

Please include a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a list of current research support (if applicable), a summary of teaching experience (if applicable), a research summary, a list with 3 or more referees, including contact information.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.