Postdoctoral position in automizing organoid manufacturing (f/m/d)

The Ruperto Carola University in Heidelberg is one of Europe′s leading research institutions and the oldest university in Germany, particularly known for its world-leading research in the life sciences and medicine. The Neuenheimer Feld Campus of Heidelberg University is the largest campus for natural and life sciences in Germany, where the Faculty of Engineering Sciences bridges material sciences, molecular biotechnology and computational sciences. The modern Campus harbors the buildings of the science faculties and institutes, in direct vicinity to the University Hospital Heidelberg, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Strong interactions exist via the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, the medical campus Mannheim, and the Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim. The life science and engineering campus at Heidelberg University offers a network of core technology platforms, with access to various technologies and industry contacts, for which the CellNetworks Core Technology Platform serves as an umbrella structure. Heidelberg University invites applications for the following full-time postdoc position to begin as soon as possible.

Postdoctoral position in automizing organoid manufacturing (f/m/d)

The position is funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (CZS)

Background:

• We aim to develop an autonomous platform for organoid culturing and analysis to address key challenges in organoid-based experiments. This interdisciplinary project will leverage robotic systems for high-throughput culturing, integrating multiple automated subsystems with image-based machine learning models. Our objective is to enable robotic decision-making through machine learning, paving the way for a standardized, scalable, and rapid next-generation system for organoid cultivation and assays.
• We are seeking a talented and highly motivated individual with a strong background in electrical engineering, computer science, automation science, or a related field, and convincing expertise in robotic hardware. Experience with machine learning and large language models is highly desirable. Prior experience in a biological setting, such as cell culture, is considered a plus.
• This position is offered as a joint postdoctoral appointment in the groups of Prof. Pernice at the Kirchhoff Institute for Physics and Prof. Boutros at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University. The two research groups will provide support for both the biological aspects and the computational and automation components of the project.
• The position is embedded in the collaborative research program “Precision Organoid Engineering for Multi-Organ Interaction Studies (POEM)”: www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/cctp-poem
• The POEM program aims to generate reproducible, micrometer-scale controllable, and cost-efficient disease models by bringing together experts in molecular systems engineering, machine learning, biomedicine, and disease modeling. Central to its objectives is the development of methods for culturing tailor-made organoids, assembloids and co-organoids for inter-organ communication towards AI-supported large-scale / high-throughput analyses.

Your Role:

• Lead the development of a functional prototype by integrating multiple automated subsystems, including liquid handlers, robotic transfer and imaging systems, into a fully autonomous platform
• Adapt machine learning protocols to enable robotic decision-making for targeted organoid growth
• Benchmark the platform against current standard culturing methods, either independently or in collaboration with consortium partners

Your Profile:

• Excellent PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field
• Proven track record of high-level research, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations
• Strong background in automation, robotics, or related areas of expertise
• Experience with machine learning and large language models is desirable
• Prior experience in a biological laboratory setting is desired

This full-time position will be funded non-permanently for a limited period of initially 2 years via the CZS 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 May 15th 2025 by e-mail with subject “Application POEM 5” to Dr. Alice Hesse (alice.hesse@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 .