Job Offers

The Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging (RVZ) is an interdisciplinary research center of the University of Würzburg (Bavaria, Germany) located at the heart of the medical campus of the University Hospital. It has a strong focus on biomedical research and imaging in the widest sense, ranging from the atomic and molecular scale to the tissue and organ level. Scientists at the RVZ use state-of-the-art technologies to investigate molecules that regulate key cellular functions with the overall aim to advance our understanding of the aetiology, diagnosis or treatment of diseases.
We are inviting applications for a
Junior Group Leader (f/m/d) in Microbiology
Appointments will be made for a period of up to five years starting Jan 1st, 2024, with a mid-term evaluation after 2.5 years. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary depending on training and experience (according to salary agreement TV-L), a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits.
Position overview
You will lead a group to pursue an original research program in microbiology, preferentially using advanced imaging methods. Your group will be funded by the Bavarian Distinguished Professorship Programme, which supports the newly created chair on “High resolution optical microscopy” headed by Prof. Christophe Zimmer.
In general, the RVZ appoints group leaders early in their career and provides them with a supportive, collaborative environment and a competitive package.
You are expected to conduct independent research, but also to collaborate with and complement ongoing research activities at the center.
Qualifications
- A PhD in microbiology or a related field
- A distinguished track record of research accomplishments, typically demonstrated by high-profile publications
- A collaborative mindset with a keen interest in interdisciplinary research
- Excellent communication skills
Why join us
The RVZ is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits commensurate with an internationally leading biomedical research institute with a very cooperative and family-friendly working environment. We are embedded in a stimulating environment that includes the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, the Max Planck Research Group in Systems Immunology, the Institute of Molecular Infection Biology and the Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the Biocenter, and the University Hospital in Würzburg. The university furthermore offers comprehensive administrative and practical support, e.g. the Welcome Centre (moving to Würzburg), the International Office, the Family Services as well as the JMU Research Academy (professional support and development - see www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/rvz/news/jobs-and-career/). JMU also offers an excellent childcare facility. The RVZ is committed to achieving gender balance and strongly encourages applications from women. Disabled applicants will be considered preferentially in case of equivalent qualifications. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
Contact for informal inquiries:
- christophe.zimmer@uni-wuerzburg.de
- m.sauer@uni-wuerzburg.de
Application
Candidates should submit their application preferably via email to personal@virchow.uni-wuerzburg.de as a single PDF including, in this order:
- A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying and how your profile aligns with the position (1 page).
- A CV highlighting research achievements, leadership roles, and collaborations
- A complete list of publications highlighting five key publications and including concise statements about their significance and your contributions
- A 3-page research project that concisely describes the background and status of the questions to be addressed, the experimental strategies and methods that will be employed as well as the ultimate goals.
- Contact information for at least three references
Deadline: October 15th, 2023
Rudolf Virchow Center
University of Würzburg
Prof. Dr. Christophe Zimmer
Josef-Schneider-Str. 2 / Haus D15
97080 Würzburg, Germany
Email: personal@virchow.uni-wuerzburg.de
Phone +49-931-31 80348
We very much look forward to receiving your application.

The Chair of High-Resolution Optical Microscopy
in the Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging
at the University of Würzburg, Germany,
invites applications for
Postdoctoral and PhD positions (f/m/d)
in the areas of advanced imaging and artificial intelligence for biomedical research.
At Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, more than 30,000 people from over 100 countries come together to study, research, teach and work. As a central institution of the University, the Rudolf Virchow Center is a modern research center with more than 100 international scientists investigating the molecular causes of health and disease. It has been established as a unique institution for translational bioimaging combining all existing imaging core structures and microscopy facilities.
All positions are embedded in the research group of Prof Christophe Zimmer. His interdisciplinary laboratory will combine advanced imaging and artificial intelligence to overcome important technical challenges to life science research and directly address key biomedical questions. The positions are funded in part by the Rudolf Virchow Center of Julius Maximilian University Würzburg and by the Bavarian Distinguished Professorship Programme (Spitzenprofessurenprogramm, High Tech Agenda Bayern).
Qualification profile
As a PhD applicant you have completed a university degree (Diploma, MSc, or equivalent) in:
- life sciences or related fields (1 PhD position)
- in computer science, AI, physics or related fields (2 PhD positions)
As a Postdoctoral applicant you have completed a Doctoral degree in:
- microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology or related fields (1 Postdoc position)
- biophysics, single molecule microscopy, optics, or related fields (1 Postdoc position)
- computer science, AI, physics, or related fields (1 Postdoc position)
- drug discovery, high content screening or related fields (1 Postdoc position)
Essential:
- Strong background in one of the above-mentioned or related fields
- Strong motivation, excellent work ethic and dedication to interdisciplinary research
- Excellent team spirit
- A good command of English is mandatory as you will be working in an international team.
Optional:
- Prior experience in deep learning, single molecule microscopy, high throughput imaging or drug discovery is not essential, but is a significant plus
- For candidates with a background in biology, computational expertise is a plus
- For candidates with a computational or physics background, expertise in biology is a plus
The University of Würzburg is an equal opportunity employer. As such, we explicitly encourage applications from qualified women. Severely handicapped applicants will be given preferential consideration when equally qualified.
What we offer
The Rudolf Virchow Center is a highly competitive international research institute with an outstanding infrastructure. We have in-house access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and to an extensive range of modern biophysical and cell biological equipment. We are integrated into a stimulating cross-disciplinary environment that includes our partners at the Biocenter, the physics department, the Max Planck Research Group in Systems Immunology, the Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) and the University Hospital in Würzburg.
Würzburg is located in the beautiful, wine-growing area of Franconia, in proximity of Frankfurt (1 hour by train) and Munich (2 hours).
We offer a three-year position starting on or after 1st of January 2024, which will be initially funded for one year and extended upon positive evaluation. The salary is commensurate with training and experience according to Collective Agreement for the Public Service of German Federal States TV-L.
The successful doctoral applicants will enroll in the Graduate School for Life Sciences (GSLS) in Würzburg and benefit from its extensive transferable skills program, travel funds and administrative support.
You will have access to both national and public-service pension schemes (VBL), health care, and are entitled to 30 days of holiday in addition to 13 annual public holidays in Bavaria. Our Welcome Center supports international candidates in finding accommodation as well as in administrative matters - and the University of Würzburg offers support for researchers with children, including flexible working hours and childcare.
INTERESTED?
Applications including a cover letter, a detailed CV (2 pages max), a short summary of past research projects with publications (3 pages max), copies of certificates, and the contact information of two referees, should be sent via email as a single pdf file (not exceeding 10 MB) to christophe.zimmer@uni-wuerzburg.de.
Deadline: 1st of October 2023
Applications received before 1st of October 2023 will be examined together, and on a rolling basis thereafter.
Alternatively, application documents may be sent as hard copies to:
Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum
Universität Würzburgz.H. Prof. Christophe Zimmer
Josef-Schneider-Str. 2/ Haus D15
97080 Würzburg
Germany
Note: Please send only copies. For financial reasons, application documents cannot be returned. They will be destroyed shortly after completion of the selection process. If you enclose a postage-paid envelope, the application documents will be returned to you three months after completion of the selection process.