FZ Juelich Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning 2026

This position sits at the interface between electron microscopy and machine learning. We are looking for a microscopist or physicist with substantial computational practice who wants to shape how machine learning is developed for electron microscopy – someone who can identify the open questions in the domain and carry them through to new methods. You will work in a team of data scientists and software developers, together with the doctoral researchers of the group, and in close collaboration with the Ernst Ruska-Centre (ER-C). Your tasks will include:

• Conducting research at the interface of electron microscopy and machine learning, including the application and adaptation of established methods, data analysis, and dissemination of results
• Identifying open questions in electron microscopy where progress is limited by analysis rather than by instrumentation, and where new machine learning methods therefore offer genuine scientific gain
• Developing, training and evaluating deep learning models for microscopy data – real-space imaging, 4D-STEM diffraction and in-situ time series – including the construction and characterisation of the experimental and simulated datasets your research requires
• Establishing what physically meaningful evaluation means for such models: what constitutes a correct answer, when an output is an artefact of the measurement, and which failure modes matter for the underlying materials science
• Conducting and interpreting simulation studies (e.g. multislice, Bloch-wave methods) that connect experiment, theory and model behaviour
• Participation in the scientific agenda of our collaboration with the ER-C: bringing microscopy questions into our method development, and turning model results into statements that are meaningful to microscopists
• Publishing in microscopy and materials science journals as well as at machine learning venues, and contributing to open datasets, benchmarks and software
• Co-supervising doctoral and master students, and contributing to proposal writing and to the group’s third-party funded projects

• Table of Content
• About Forschungszentrum Julich
• Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning Fellowship
• Requirements for Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning Fellowship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning Fellowship

• Meaningful tasks: The opportunity to conduct exciting research in an international and multidisciplinary environment with outstanding infrastructure and to strengthen your reputation in a dynamic and highly active research field
• Work Environment: A creative work environment at a leading research facility, located on an attractive research campus at the TZA Aachen and the Forschungszentrum Jülich
• Work Location: The work location may vary between Aachen and Jülich. Initially, the work will primarily take place in Aachen
• Scientific Exchange: The opportunity to attend national and international conferences
• Work-life balance: Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly company policy. The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year's)
• Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
• Knowledge & further training: Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive occupational health management program with a wide range of offerings - e.g., a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes, and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counseling team are available to assist you on site
• Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks.
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 69 ff. of the PDF download
• Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits
• Perspective: After a 2-year fixed-term contract, our goal is to hire you on a permanent basis. Let's use this time to find out how well we fit together or
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
• Career Center: You will receive explicit support with regard to your career development opportunities

Requirements for Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Electron Microscopy and Machine Learning Fellowship Qualification

FZ Juelich is looking for a highly motivated colleague who is excited about new scientific endeavors with interdisciplinary approaches. For this you have:

• Completed Master's degree and PhD in Physics, Materials Science or a closely related field
• In-depth working knowledge of electron microscopy, including image formation and contrast mechanisms, electron diffraction, and substantial experience in at least one of the following: 4D-STEM, in-situ or operando microscopy, or quantitative HR(S)TEM.
• Experience with electron microscopy simulations (e.g. multislice or Bloch-wave methods), or with developing quantitative data analysis pipelines for microscopy data, which would be a strong asset.
• Practical, hands-on experience in training deep learning models, solid programming skills in Python, and working proficiency with PyTorch or an equivalent framework.
• A clear interest in developing methods rather than merely applying them, as well as the motivation to substantially deepen your machine learning expertise within the group.
• Excellent communication skills across disciplinary boundaries; much of the value of this role lies in enabling two research communities to understand one another.
• Strong analytical skills, creativity
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit FZ Juelich webpage.