Imaging Scientists in the Advanced Light Microscopy Unit (ALMU)
The Institute
The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.
In April 2021, the CRG received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).
The role
The postholder will be working with the team at the Advanced Light Microscopy Unit (ALMU) to train, manage and support the imaging needs of ALMU’s research community. The postholder will be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and quality control of system performance, troubleshooting, and enhancing optical imaging systems, including widefield, confocal, multiphoton, super-resolution, and other advanced microscopy platforms. The successful candidate will design and implement imaging solutions, optimize data acquisition workflows, and develop optical techniques tailored to specific experimental needs. She/he will provide training and technical guidance to researchers on microscopy techniques and best practices, teach at courses and workshops, and occasionally collaborate in research projects. Report and document equipment issues and initiate repairs using ALMU’s RT system. Ensure that all users adhere to ALMU and CRG policies and procedures. Interact with requests and bookings through ALMU’s booking system. Order with CRG’s purchasing system. Prepare standard samples and join the team in maintaining the wet lab area.
ALMU has over 200 users from CRG and beyond, mainly from the Barcelona area and nearby cities. As such, the role will involve addressing research questions from a broad field, ranging from cell biology, cancer biology, marine biology, plant biology, neuroscience, biophysics and cellular biomechanics. The postholder will be expected to operate a broad spectrum of instrumentation at ALMU covering technical capabilities for live-cell imaging, 2-photon, spectral imaging, TIRF, FRET, FLIM, photomanipulation and FCS, as well as super-resolution technologies such as airyscan, STED, STED/FLIM and STORM/dSTORM, bioimage processing, analysis and data visualization. More information about instrumentation at ALMU here.
About ALMU
ALMU is a walk-in core unit, part of CRG’s Core Technologies Programme and member of Core for Life and EU-LIFE, an excellence alliance of core facilities and research institutes in Europe, and part of the Spanish Euro-Bioimaging Nodes: Super-resolution Light and Nanoscopy Node and Live and Intravital Advanced Light Microscopy Node. We are located in the level -1 of the PRBB building and together with our neighbours the Mesoscopic Imaging Facility (MIF) of EMBL Barcelona, we provide support and access to the full spectrum of light microscopy. We also collaborate with other research institutes in Barcelona, nationally and internationally.
The ALMU team consists of 4 dynamic and enthusiastic Imaging Scientists dedicated to assisting the research community with all aspects of Quantitative Bioimaging, including experimental design, sample preparation, acquisition, bioimage data analysis, automation and data visualization.
Our unit consists of microscope systems specifically designed for fluorescence microscopy and cover different modalities ranging from widefield and confocal to super-resolution technologies and use primarily open-source software for bioimage data analysis, including AI-based bioimage analysis. We also run teaching courses and workshops in collaboration with CRG Training for the internal, local and international scientific community. ALMU also develops new imaging-based methods and technologies and collaborates with the scientific community and our partner microscopy companies.
More information about ALMU here.
Whom would we like to hire?
Professional experience
Must Have
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In-depth understanding of optical microscopy
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Possess a minimum of three years of experience in a research environment utilizing advanced light microscopy
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Skilled in confocal microscopy and single molecule localization microscopy techniques, such as STORM/dSTORM
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Have at least one year of experience interacting with users and maintaining microscopes
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Experienced in custom microscope development and hardware-software integration, or willing to engage in these tasks
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Familiar with Python. Knowledge of R, LabVIEW and/or micromanager would be an asset
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Experience in quantitative imaging: sample preparation (live and fixed), acquisition and analysis
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Familiar with advanced light microscopy techniques: TIRF, FRAP, FRET, FLIM. Familiarity with PALM, DNA-PAINT/oligo-PAINT, single molecule tracking methods would be an asset
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Familiar with two or more bioimage processing and analysis tools: Fiji/ImageJ, CellProfiler, napari, ilastik, cellpose or Huygens
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Experience with using OMERO would be an asset
Education and Training
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Master’s degree in physics, biophysics, biotechnology or a related field. Ph.D. is preferred but not required
Languages
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Strong verbal and written communication in English
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Knowledge of Spanish and/or Catalan is not required, but would be an asset
Competences
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Possess a strong problem-solving mindset
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Ability to work independently and efficiently or as part of a team
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Strong interpersonal skills for working with Unit users and potential new users
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Effectively communicate complex ideas and technical concepts to those new to the field or to non-experts.
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Highly organized with strong attention to detail
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Proficient in handling diverse daily tasks in a dynamic environment with frequently changing priorities
The Offer – Working Conditions
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Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract linked to a project duration (at least 12 months)
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Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
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Target start date: July 2025.
We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.
We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.
Application Procedure
All applications must include:
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A motivation letter addressed to Dr. Nadia Halidi.
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A complete CV including contact details.
All applications must be addressed to Dr. Nadia Halidi and be submitted online through the "Apply" button below.
Selection Process
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Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVs. It will be merit-based.
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Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.
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Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.
Deadline: Please submit your application by June 16, 2025.
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