Leitung des Life Imaging Center (LIC) - Core Facility für Lichtmikroskopie (w/m/d)

Head of the Life Imaging Center (LIC) – Core Facility for Light Microscopy (f/m/d)

Permanent full-time position (up to salary grade E14/A14*). Application deadline: 6 September 2026. Start date: At the earliest possible date. Reference no.: .

The Life Imaging Center (LIC) (miap.eu/miap-unit/life-imaging-center/) is a core facility at the University of Freiburg, operated in collaboration with CIBSS – Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies and the Faculty of Biology. As a central unit of the university’s research infrastructure, the LIC provides cutting‑edge imaging services for life sciences and related disciplines.

The position is based in the Faculty of Biology and combines operational leadership with strategic development of the LIC. Independent research activities are welcome and actively supported.

Responsibilities

• Operational management of the LIC
• Ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations
• Coordinating and prioritising user access
• Establishing and refining quality standards and service concepts
• Personnel management
• Leading and coordinating scientific and technical staff
• Contributing to staff development and training
• Strategic development
• Conceptual advancement of the LIC as a central microscopy platform
• Integration of new methods and technologies
• Strengthening the LIC’s profile at university, national, and international levels
• Supporting infrastructure and major equipment proposals (e.g., DFG, SIBW, state/EU programmes) in a scientific and conceptual capacity
• Scientific advice & networking
• Advising users from diverse disciplines
• Supporting and co‑authoring scientific publications
• Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and community building
• Teaching microscopy techniques (5 SWS)
• Optional independent research
• Opportunity to acquire third‑party funding for scientific, methodological, or infrastructure‑related projects (compatible with LIC leadership duties)

Requirements

• Education & expertise
• Completed PhD in life sciences, computer science, physics, or a related field
• Proven scientific expertise in advanced light microscopy and/or image analysis
• Experience
• Training and instructing users/staff in microscopy techniques
• Managing complex research infrastructure or core facilities, including:
• Cost and budget planning
• Equipment procurement and maintenance
• Quality assurance
• Contributions to publications and/or grant applications
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of current methodological developments in imaging
• Skills & competencies
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills
• User‑and‑service‑oriented mindset
• Strategic thinking and ability to work interdisciplinarily
• Excellent English and good German language skills

We offer

• A permanent leadership position with high scientific and strategic responsibility
• Extensive scope for shaping the future of a core facility
• An excellent scientific environment with close ties to CIBSS, the Faculty of Biology, and other departments
• Support for professional and personal development
• Family‑friendly working conditions and flexible working hours (within university guidelines)

Subject to meeting the relevant civil service requirements, appointment to a tenured civil service position (A14) is possible. Alternatively, employment under public sector collective agreement (TV‑L E14) applies. The position is unlimited (permanent).

We particularly encourage applications from women.

Application address

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kleine‑Vehn, Faculty of Biology, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, ‑freiburg.de

Contact for inquiries

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kleine‑Vehn
Phone:

General Notes

• Full‑time positions may be split into part‑time roles where no legal or operational obstacles exist.
• Selection follows the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
• Applicants with severe disabilities receive preferential consideration if equally qualified.
• Unencrypted email communication may pose risks to confidentiality.