Smart Microscopy Protocol Engineer

Organization: IBDM (Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille)

Location: IBDM (Institute of Developmental Biology of Marseilles), UMR 7288 Case 907, Avenue de Luminy, Marseille, France

Available from: October 1, 2026

Position Information

Smart microscopy is an emerging control environment in the field of microscopy. It moves beyond linear acquisition sequences by introducing conditional logic based on artificial intelligence. These new experimental protocols are yet to be developed, and there are currently no apparent limitations to their range of applications. The protocols must therefore be coded and shared to advance the practice of “smart microscopy.”

The IBDM (Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille) is hiring an engineer to work on establishing a common methodology for developing smart microscopy protocols, starting with an assessment of the needs expressed by research teams within four institutes (IBDM, CIML, INMED, IMM). An effort to understand each experimental challenge will be required (in consultation with PICSL engineers) and translated into a new experimental setup utilizing Python libraries dedicated to microscope control.

Main missions

• Develop smart microscopy workflows across various interfaces (OAD, JOB, Inscoper, etc.) using Python;
• Integrate these architectures with deep learning models that are either pre-trained or require fine-tuning;
• Bring together a local community of smart microscopy users;
• Train users in smart microscopy;
• Conduct in-depth technology monitoring in the field of smart microscopy and open-source solutions.
  
  

Profile

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Python programming is required;
• Knowledge of machine learning and neural network architectures (autoencoders and generative models), as well as frameworks (TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch);
• General knowledge of biology;
• General knowledge of imaging and microscopy-type instrumentation.
  
  

Operational skills

• Strong motivation to develop software and write code to control an instrument;
• Ability to analyze requirements using “standard” terminology and propose solutions;
• Ability to present work (oral and written presentation skills);
• Teaching skills required;
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
  
  

General information

Contract duration: 24 month

Date of hire: 01/10/2026

Remuneration: From €2,002.82 to €2,170.15 gross per month

Application deadline: 24 July 2026 23:59

Apply here

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