EMBL Grenoble specializes in fundamental research in structural biology, and in developing state-of-the art instrumentation, methods and services. The site is located on the dynamic European Photon and Neutron science campus (EPN campus), together with other international and French research institutions. These are exciting times at EMBL Grenoble. We are looking to complete our development team with an enthusiastic automation software engineer. The Instrumentation Team (https://www.embl.org/groups/papp/) develops high precision instruments dedicated to Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography (MX), Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Cryo-Electron Microscopy/Tomography techniques. These long-term development projects encompass the mechanical & electrical design of the machines, the manufacturing, cabling and the development of the high- & low-level control software. The machines are deployed at high-end research facilities and their maintenance is insured by the team members. To complete our development team, we are now seeking to recruit a software engineer.

Your role

You will join a diverse team of scientists, engineers and technicians. Under supervision of the team leader, you will contribute to the development, upgrade and maintenance of scientific instruments. In the frame of ongoing collaborations with EMBL@Petra III at Desy and EMBL-HD Imaging Centre, short periods of work at the EMBL Hamburg and Heidelberg sites will be required. The mission includes the development of software to control robotized instruments and the upgrade and support of the instruments already installed. This will require strong interaction with the developers of advanced instrumentation and with scientists in need of novel software for cutting-edge experiments. Meeting deadlines while producing industrial quality work will be a permanent challenge.

You have

The following technical skills:

• Advanced degree in computer science and/or in robotics
• A solid knowledge of an object-oriented programming language (Java)
• Experience in developing instrument control software
• Comfortable with Windows and Linux platforms
• Programming of embedded systems and graphical user interfaces
• Source code versioning system (GIT)

At least one of the following technical skills

• Experience in image & signal processing
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Ethercat, RS232, RS485)
• Experience in precision axis control (Pmac, Beckhoff)
• PLC programming
• Industrial 6 axis robotics (Staubli)

The following soft skills:

• Proactive and self-motivated
• Able to present and defend its work
• Team player
• Good communication skills in English

You may also have

• Basic knowledge in web development
• Basic knowledge in deep learning
• Basic knowledge in electronics
• Experience in GPU and or FPGA programming
• Basic knowledge in physics
• Basic knowledge in optics
• Basic knowledge in mechanics
• Good working knowledge of French

Contract length: 3 years (renewable up to 9)

Salary: Grade 5 or 6; depending on qualifications and experience

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team - we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, monthly family and child allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (select sites), on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities.
• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date
16/11/2025