Engineering Technician for Optical and Force Microscopy

Applications are invited for a technician position (f/m/d; salary grade up to E11) in the lab of Kristian Franze. The successful candidate will be responsible for the microscopes at the Institute and interact closely with our multidisciplinary, international team. We are located at the new Max Planck Zentrum für Physik und Medizin with a state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting edge equipment.

The Franze lab is interested in how mechanical signals such as tissue stiffness or cellular forces regulate neuronal function during development and disease. The lab studies how cells feel their mechanical environment, and how mechanical and chemical signals are integrated by cells. Key microscopy techniques exploited by the lab include atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, calcium imaging, cLSM, FLIM and TIRF.

Your tasks include:

• Support and maintenance of our microscopes
• Training of laboratory staff and collaborators
• Support for research projects
• Microscope development
• Management of the online booking calendar and equipment documentation
• If desired, participation in scientific projects is possible, time permitting

Necessary qualifications:

• Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of microscopy
• Master's or Diploma degree in biology, physics, engineering sciences, or a related discipline
• Good knowledge of English
• A communicative and team-orientated way of working
• High personal motivation, flexibility and reliability

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience in AFM and/or optical tweezers
• Experience in handling biological tissues and cell lines
• Experience with image analysis
• Experience of working in S1/S2 safety areas