join us

• Job Announcement // Scientific Project Manager/ Lab Operations Lead

  As part of the Attoworld of Prof. Ferenc Krausz at the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Garching near Munich, the Field-resolved Infrared Spectroscopy team (www.attoworld.de/fris) combines cutting-edge femtosecond laser technologies [1-3] with detection by electro-optic sampling to advance a new type of mid-infrared spectroscopy on the electric-field level [4]. The new systems are developed and utilized by a highly interdisciplinary team of physicists, data scientists, biologists and clinical personal to identify, via minuscule variations in the infrared response of human blood samples, medical conditions such as cancer [5].

  … more
  

  We are looking for postdoc-level candidates with background in experimental physics and optics/lasers, and with strong project management, organization and communication skills. The successful candidate will support the laser team with project management for the development of next-generation field-resolved spectrometer systems and support the team leader with coordinating requirements and communication between teams located in Garching near Munich, Budapest and Szeged. The position also involves the organization of laser laboratory and laser safety requirements, the coordination of orders, and the support of the team leader with scientifically related administrative tasks.
  The position will be located in Garching near Munich.

  Qualifications and Skills:

  1. PhD in physics or a related discipline, or master degree in physics or a related discipline and at least 3 years of experience in a technology-development company;
  2. Experience in project management and management skills;
  3. Experience in experimental physics; ideally experience in the fields of optics, nonlinear optics or ultrafast lasers;
  4. Strong communication skills;
  5. Strong organizational skills;
  6. Interest in interdisciplinary work with interface to biomedical applications.
  7. Willingness to travel;
  8. Good command of the English language.

  Tasks:

  1. Project management for the development of laser-based spectroscopy systems;
  2. Optimization of communication and coordination of requirements in an interdisciplinary team across different locations;
  3. Organization of laser laboratory and laser safety requirements;
  4. Coordination of orders by the team;
  5. Support of the team leader with organizational and scientifically related administrative tasks.
  6. Support with onboarding of new team members and interaction with the communication team of Attoworld.
  7. Coordination and overlooking the detailed documentation of new (next-generation) instrumentation and modifying existing ones.

  References:

  [1] M. Kowalczyk, N. Nagl, P. Steinleitner et al., Optica 10, 801-811 (2023).
  [2] P. Steinleitner, M. Kowalczyk, N. Nagl, Nat. Photon 16, 512 (2022).
  [3] A. Weigel, P. Jacob et al., Optica, 11, 726-735 (2024).
  [4] I. Pupeza, M. Huber et al., Nature 577, 52 (2020).
  [5] K.V. Kepesidis et al., ACS Cent. Sci. 2025, 11, 4, 560-573.

  Please send a brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position, your CV and contact information of two references to Dr. Alexander Weigel.
  Visit www.attoworld.de/fris for more information.

  Contact:

  Dr. Alexander Weigel
  Email: alexander.weigel@mpq.mpg.de

  less

• Job Announcement // High-throughput microfluidic system automatization engineer

  Location of the workplace: The Campus Garching (Hochschul- und Forschungszentrum Garching), north of Munich, Germany
  
  The Field-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy Team of the ATTOWORLD (www.attoworld.de/fris) and the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF, www.cmf.hu) ) are developing cutting-edge femtosecond laser technologies to advance electric-field molecular fingerprinting techniques based on field-resolved infrared spectroscopy. The laser spectrometers developed will be utilized in large-scale clinical studies to target disease detection (www.lasers4life.de and www.h4h.hu). To this end, human samples along with clinical information have been collected to perform high-throughput measurements that will encompass several tens of thousands of sample measurements per year within the CMF laboratories. The research is performed in close collaboration with the ATTOWORLD laboratories (www.attoworld.de) led by the Nobel laureate Prof. Ferenc Krausz at the Ludwig Maximillians Universität München (LMU) and the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ). The CMF operations aim to apply next-generation laser spectrometers for the analysis of human blood samples to detect disease and monitor health status non-invasively.

  … more

  We are seeking candidates interested in the development and implementation of automated sample handling microfluidics-based platforms for high-throughput and reproducible sample screening in microscale flow-through channels/chambers (microfluidic devices), as well as their integration with infrared spectroscopy-based measuring systems. This will allow infrared spectroscopy to be effectively applied to obtain label-free chemical information about the sample to investigate human blood-based bioliquids and cellular metabolites.

  

  The overall goal of this position is to automate sample handling of microfluidics-based platforms and integrate them into laser-based measurement systems. A special focus lies on the high-throughput, reproducibility, automation, reliable data acquisition and user-friendly operation.

  The professional will work in a highly international and interdisciplinary team in direct collaboration with laser scientists and engineers from CMF and LMU at the Laboratory for Extreme Photonics on the research campus in Garching, north of Munich.

  Responsibilities:

  1. The main subject will be to develop and implement automated sample handling of microfluidics-based platforms for high-throughput and reproducible sample screening, as well as to integrate these platforms into devices for laser-based field-resolved spectroscopy.
  2. The first task will be focused around establishing a new robotic positioning system for sample aspiration.
  3. Writing reports and presenting the results of work.
  4. Integrate software with a variety of lab instruments (oscilloscopes, power supplies, DAQ modules, sensors, etc.).
  5. Identification and establishment of potential contacts/collaborations necessary for reaching the goals.
  6. Traveling to collaboration partners, which will be required for the sample handling systems installation and support.

  Qualifications and Skills:

  1. Master’s degree or equivalent in automation, mechatronics, electrical engineering, microfluidics engineering, or related fields.
  2. Affinity to technical development and goal-oriented problem solving.
  3. Experience with microelectronics control.
  4. Experience with automation hardware and software.
  5. Computer skills sufficient for being able to process and present acquired results.
  6. Experience with sample handling/positioning systems is advantageous.
  7. Experience with automation and sample handling/microfluidics/chromatography/flow cytometry platform development and implementation is advantageous.
  8. Experience with microvalves, pressure-driven systems, flow and pressure sensors is advantageous.
  9. Experience with NI LabVIEW and/or programming languages (Python/C++) is advantageous.
  10. Experience with CAD modelling is advantageous.
  11. The ability to work in an international and multicultural team.
  12. Strong motivation and ability to work independently, but also well-equipped for collaboration to achieve goals, as well as respect timelines and management structure.
  13. Team-spirited and like to share your results and current challenges with the team.
  14. Quick learning and good communication skills, excellence in expressing in English, both orally and in written form.
  15. Excellent planning skills, with a responsible mindset while keeping a high level of flexibility due to a changing environment.

  We offer:

  1. A broad range of activities in a dynamically evolving second-to-none endeavor and professional environment.
  2. Long-term opportunity with highly qualified and motivated professionals.
  3. A versatile range of work packages (cafeteria, performance incentives, professional training, guaranteed 30 days of annual vacation days for the whole year).
  4. Occasional home office.
  5. Work in an international and multicultural environment and the opportunity for professional development.
  6. Solution-oriented atmosphere and the opportunity to participate in the success of a dynamic and growing organization

  If you are interested in this opportunity, please send us your CV and study transcripts. Additionally, please include a short statement about your motivation.

  Contact:

  Dr. Igor Kukhtevich
  Email: igor.kukhtevich@lmu.de

  less

• Post-Doc // Time-domain Field-resolved Far-Infrared and THz Spectroscopy

  As part of the Attoworld of Prof. Ferenc Krausz at the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Garching near Munich, the Field-resolved Infrared Spectroscopy team (www.attoworld.de/fris)combines cutting-edge femtosecond laser technologies [1-3] with detection by electro-optic sampling to advance a new type of mid-infrared spectroscopy on the electric-field level [4]. The new systems are developed and utilized by a highly interdisciplinary team of physicists, data scientists, biologists and clinical personal to identify, via minuscule variations in the infrared response of human blood samples, medical conditions such as cancer [5].

  … more
  

  We are looking for an experienced postdoc-level scientist to work together with PhD students on the extension of the spectral coverage of field-resolved spectroscopy to longer wavelengths in the far infrared and THz regime. The goal is to reach seamless spectral coverage over the range 1-100 THz with sufficient signal/noise to perform analysis biologically relevant samples. Profound experimental experience and theoretical background of ultrafast laser technology and nonlinear optics is required for this position.

  Qualifications and Skills:

  1. PhD in physics or a related discipline;
  2. Experience with ultrafast lasers and nonlinear optics;
  3. Ideally, experience with infrared and/or THz spectroscopies using pulsed laser sources;
  4. Ideally, experience with signal processing and programming (for example with Labview);
  5. Interest in interdisciplinary work with interface to biomedical applications;
  6. Good command of the English language.

  Tasks:

  1. Supervision and support of PhD students on a daily basis;
  2. Development of efficient mid-infrared generation and high-dynamic-range electro-optic sampling in the range 3-20 µm (15-100 THz);
  3. Development of ultrabroadband THz generation and high-dynamic-range time-domain detection in the range 1-30 THz;
  4. Exploration of the spectroscopic information in proof-of-principle experiments on biologically relevant test samples, and on human blood samples;
  5. Support of the team leader with proposals and project planning;
  6. Presentation and publication of scientific output.

  References:

  [1] M. Kowalczyk, N. Nagl, P. Steinleitner et al., Optica 10, 801-811 (2023).
  [2] P. Steinleitner, M. Kowalczyk, N. Nagl, Nat. Photon 16, 512 (2022).
  [3] A. Weigel, P. Jacob et al., Optica, 11, 726-735 (2024).
  [4] I. Pupeza, M. Huber et al., Nature 577, 52 (2020).
  [5] K.V. Kepesidis et al., ACS Cent. Sci. 2025, 11, 4, 560-573.

  Please send a brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position, your CV and contact information of two references to Dr. Alexander Weigel.

  Contact:

  Dr. Alexander Weigel
  Email: alexander.weigel@mpq.mpg.de

  less

• Job Announcement // Professional Software Developer / Architect

  Location of the workplace: Center For Molecular Fingerprinting in Budapest, Hungary

  ATTOWORLD and the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting(CMF) are developing cutting-edge femtosecond laser technologies to advance electric-field molecular fingerprinting techniques based on field-resolved infrared spectroscopy. The laser spectrometers developed at CMF will be utilized in large scale clinical studies to target disease detection (www.lasers4life.de and www.h4h.hu). To this end, human samples along with clinical information have been collected to perform high-throughput measurements that will encompass several tens of thousands of sample measurements per year within the CMF laboratories. The research is performed in close collaboration with the attoworld laboratories (www.attoworld.de/fris) led by the Nobel laureate Prof. Ferenc Krausz at the Ludwig Maximillians Universität München (LMU) and the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ). The aim of the CMF operations is to apply next-generation laser spectrometers for the analysis of human blood samples to non-invasively detect disease and monitor health.

  … more

  The professional will work in a highly international and interdisciplinary team in direct collaboration with laser scientists and engineers from CMF and LMU at the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting in Budapest, Hungary. We are seeking an experienced software developer/architect to join our team to support the automation of measurements and the reliable, high-throughput operation of ISA 3.1. The ideal candidate will design, implement, and maintain scalable software solutions that optimize resources, ensure data integrity, and minimize manual intervention.

  Key Responsibilities:

  • Design, implement, and maintain scalable measurement software with minimal manual intervention
  • Optimize algorithms and resource usage to maximize system performance and throughput.
  • Develop data management, sharing, and security mechanisms in alignment with best practices.
  • Collaborate with hardware and R&D teams to integrate software with the laboratory instruments.
  • Implement testing, monitoring, and debugging workflows to maintain high software quality.
  • Support continuous integration, deployment pipelines for efficient development cycles.

  Required qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
  • Professional knowledge of software development principles: data structures, algorithms, complexity, system design, testing.
  • Extensive experience in at least one text-based programming language (Python or C++ preferred).
  • Experience with SQL databases (ideally PostgreSQL).
  • Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).
  • Experience with or willingness to learn CI/CD pipelines and containerization.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced R&D environment.

  Preferred skills:

  • Strong experience in Labview and Python.
  • Experience in developing high-throughput or automated measurement systems.
  • Knowledge of software architecture for large-scale laboratory instruments.
  • Agile, experimental, and iterative approach to software development.
  • Strong problem-solving, debugging, and optimization skills.
  • Familiarity with data security and sharing protocols.

  We offer:

  • Work in state-of-the-art research laboratories.
  • Help develop the next generation laser spectrometer for human health monitoring.
  • Interdisciplinary research group with international atmosphere.
  • Close collaboration with Research Center Garching, Faculty of Physics at LMU, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching
  • Regular home office option
  • Competitive salary and extensive benefits package

  If you are interested in this exciting opportunity to contribute to advanced measurement automation, please send us your CV and study transcripts. Additionally, please include a short statement about your motivation.

  Contact:

  Dr. Alexander Weigel
  Email: alexander.weigel@mpq.mpg.de
  Csaba Liber
  Email: csaba.liber@cmf.hu

  less