Research Associate - Advanced Core for Microscope Engineering

Research Associate - Advanced Core for Microscope Engineering

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Open Date: Aug 08, 2025
Deadline: Aug 08, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Overview: The newly established Advanced Core for Microscope Engineering (ACME) (https://www.med.upenn.edu/cdbacme/) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine will provide custom built ad hoc optical microscopy solutions, advanced image analysis, and consultation services to researchers across the Penn campus and beyond. The core will take advantage of modular hardware and software technology being developed in the Mir Lab (mir-lab.com) which will allow for rapid prototyping and construction of instruments. This is inherently a new type of core model which combines engineering new technologies in response to desired experimental designs instead of working within the bounds of commercially available technology. The core is co-directed by Dr. Mustafa Mir (mir-lab.com), Dr. Melike Lakadamyali (lakadamyali-lab.com/), Dr. Yihui Shen (https://www.imaging-systems-metabolism-lab.com/), and Dr. Andrea Stout (https://www.med.upenn.edu/cdbmicroscopycore/).

The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seeks candidates for a Research Associate position for the Advanced Core for Microscope Engineering. Expertise is required in the specific area of physics, computer science, engineering or related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience. PhD is required.

Responsibilities may include designing and implementing optics hardware (ideally microscopes), leveraging Python and/or LabView, and use of digital and analog signal processing.

The successful applicant will have an opportunity to support the mission of the core. The role will include developing and implementing new microscope hardware, control software, customized analysis pipelines as well as collaborating with core users. We anticipate initial applications will include light-sheet microscopy, super-resolution imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and single-molecule tracking. Additionally, the ideal candidate for this role is curious, hard-working, detail oriented, and well-organized with the capability to work on multiple projects at a time with collaborators. Previous experience working in the field of biomedical imaging is highly desired. There will be ample opportunities to publish in this position.

Responsibilities:

• Design hardware using CAD (Autodesk Inventor, Zemax)
• Write software (primarily in Python)
• Work with core collaborators to understand experimental needs and iterate on designs prior to implementation
• Implement and test hardware and train others to use it
• Develop ideas for new hardware and analysis approaches for microscopy
• Develop content for grant proposals and manuscripts

Qualifications
PhD and 3-5 years previous experience in designing and implementing optics/microscopy experiments. Highly motivated individual, must have strong organizational skills, good oral and written communication skills, and be able to work independently and be a team player. Ability to coordinate multiple projects independently. Competitive pay based on experience.

Application Instructions
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/171836