Six-year Microscopy Research Software & Instrumentation Engineer position at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), section for Glycobiology

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) at Faculty of Science, the University of Copenhagen, is looking for a highly motivated and technically skilled staff scientist (AC-TAP) to perform software and hardware integration at the new Multimodal & Modular Microscopy (M3) platform, starting from 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be for six years and is associated with the Plant Cellulose/Cell Biology research group (Professor Staffan Persson) at the Glycobiology Section.

About us
The Multimodal & Modular Microscopy (M3) platform is a newly established initiative at the Center for Advanced Bioimaging (CAB), Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), funded from a Villum Infrastructure grant. M3 brings together custom-built advanced imaging systems, including: Rotating Coherent Scattering (ROCS) microscopy, Brillouin microscopy integrated with digital holography, confocal interferometric scattering (iSCAT), into a unified multimodal imaging of living systems. The platform bridges optical physics and biological research, with a particular focus on mechanobiology and cell dynamics.

The successful candidate will work within a highly cross-disciplinary environment spanning experimental biophysics, biology, computational biology, and biochemistry, in close collaboration with researchers at PLEN, the Niels Bohr Institute, the Department of Biology, Department of Computer Science and CAB's existing microscopy infrastructure and the user community. The candidate will work closely with an Optical Microscopy Specialist (AC-TAP) on the same platform.

Tasks:

Your task will include:

• Support the integration of software, hardware, and electronics components into the custom-built optical microscopy systems within the M3 framework.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of instrument control software, including integration of vendor SDKs and driver-level communication with cameras, stages, lasers, and motorized components.
• Contribute to the long-term development and sustainability of the M3 platform (maintenance and documentation)
• Contribute to image and signal processing pipelines, including the deployment of machine learning and AI tools for image analysis and instrument automation.
• Support quality control workflows, calibration routines, and performance benchmarking of the M3 systems, and contribute to FAIR-aligned image data management and reproducibility practices.
• Contribute to data acquisition pipelines and timing-sensitive control of motion, imaging, and detection systems across the M3 instruments.
• Contribute to version control, code review, open-access software practices (GitHub, documentation, reproducibility).

We expect that:

• You have previous work experience in software development for scientific instrumentation, including hands-on integration of hardware components (cameras, stages, lasers, controllers) with software control systems.
• You have a PhD or MSc with significant relevant experience in computer science, electrical engineering, physics, biomedical engineering, or related fields, with a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience.
• You have working knowledge of low-level communication protocols (e.g. serial, I²C, GPIB) for instrument control, with experience in control of motion, vision, and data acquisition systems.
• You have practical experience with Python or C++ for instrument control, data acquisition, and image or signal processing, and working knowledge of version control (Git/GitHub) and open-access software development practices.
• You are interested in working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. 
• You actively follow developments in scientific software, instrumentation, and optical microscopy, and bring relevant tools into the platform.
• You have applied experience with bioimage analysis techniques, including the deployment of machine learning or AI models for image analysis, automation, or experimental control, and familiarity with imaging software ecosystems is a strong plus.
• Practical experience in building or prototyping electronics, microcontrollers, or CAD design for mechanical components is a plus.
• Track record of open-source contributions (GitHub portfolio, contributions to imaging software ecosystems) is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with optical microscopy data, holographic/interferometric scattering, fluorescence, or Brillouin imaging modalities is advantageous.
• Good English skills, written and spoken.

We offer:

•  A 6 years position.
• The possibility to engage in high-impact, multidisciplinary research.
• The opportunity to shape a brand-new platform from the ground up.
• A stimulating, diverse and international research environment and international collaborations.
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment, facilities, and infrastructure.
• A supportive scientific and social network, including mentoring and career development.
• A competitive salary and social benefits.

Terms of salary and employment
The position is limited in time until 30 Sep, 2031.

The employment and salary is made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Employment will be as academic employee (AC-TAP). The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working time are 37 hours per week on average. The working hours are flexible.

Copenhagen is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world, and the appointee can get extensive help from the International Mobility Center (https://ism.ku.dk/) for relocation purposes.

UCPH is in the process of designing a new shared administrative organisation at UCPH, which is expected to lead to changes within the next 12 - 18 months. The purpose of the administrative reform is, among other things, to strengthen cross-organisational cooperation, increase efficiency, and ensure good career paths for administrative staff members at UCPH. The reform will lead to cutbacks on administration. You are encouraged to contact Staffan Persson (staffan.persson@plen.ku.dk) or Guillermo Moreno Pescador (moreno@plen.ku.dk) to learn more about the connection between this position and the administrative reform.

Your application
If you find the job description interesting, please send an electronic application with attachment via Jobportalen (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than July 15th , 2026.

The application must include the following:

• Letter of application/motivation (max 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of relevant certificates/diplomas.

Interviews will take place end of July, 2026.

The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.

Further questions

Any questions about the position may be directed to Assistant Professor Guillermo Moreno Pescador (moreno@plen.ku.dk).

The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 12 departments. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion.

Learn more about The Faculty of Science at www.science.ku.dk