Laboratory Engineer/ Technical Staff Member (m/f/d) Scientific Instrumentation and Laboratory Opera

Laboratory Engineer/ Technical Staff Member (m/f/d) – Scientific Instrumentation and Laboratory Operations (Full-time or Part-time)

The Chair of Complex Soft Matter at the TUM School of Life Sciences, Campus Weihenstephan, is seeking to fill the position of Laboratory Engineer (m/w/d)/ Technical Staff Member (m/f/d) for Laboratory Operations as soon as possible. The position is designed as a highly responsible technical role with substantial independence in the establishment, operation, and strategic development of laboratory infrastructure and advanced scientific instrumentation. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of complex measurement systems within an interdisciplinary research environment.

About Us

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of Europe's leading academic institutions. At the School of Life Sciences, Prof. Stefan Guldin has recently been appointed to the Chair of Complex Soft Matter. The research group investigates molecular self-assembly, structure formation, and interactions of bio-based and bio-integrated materials at the nanoscale, with diverse applications in life sciences. To support the successful establishment of laboratory infrastructure and the sustainable operation of our high-resolution measurement techniques, we are creating this technical position for the first time.

• Setup, installation, and commissioning of the laboratory, including designing efficient workflows and lab organization
• Independent operation and further development of scientific instrumentation (including maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordination of external service providers)
• Design and further development of sustainable laboratory operations, including a cost/billing system
• Installation, calibration, and qualification of complex measurement systems
• Organization and assurance of safe, efficient, and compliant lab operations (including occupational safety, hazardous materials management, and regulatory compliance)
• Technical support and training of scientific staff and students in the use of equipment and experimental methods
• Development, documentation and standardization of operational, maintenance, and safety procedures
• Participation in procurement of equipment and consumables, as well as coordination with suppliers and technical service providers
• Coordination of technical processes and acting as an interface between research, administration, and external partners
• Close collaboration with the chair, scientific staff, and central facilities

• Completed university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent from university/ university of applied sciences) in materials science, physics, chemistry, biotechnology, or a comparable scientific or engineering discipline
• Several years of relevant professional experience in the setup, operation, and optimization of scientific laboratories and complex instrumentation
• Demonstrated ability/ experience in independently organizing and improving/optimizing laboratory processes, as well as a high degree of responsibility for ensuring safe and efficient laboratory operations.
• Experience with at least one characterization technique (e.g., AFM, IR spectroscopy, ellipsometry, QCM-D, or similar) is highly desirable
• Strong technical problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze, diagnose, and resolve complex technical issues
• Experience working with external service providers and contributing to procurement processes is a plus
• Structured, reliable, and solution-oriented working style with a high level of personal responsibility and initiative
• Excellent communication and coordination skills for interaction with scientific staff, administration, and external partners
• Fluency in English is required; German is an advantage
• Confident use of standard IT applications and technical documentation

• The position is initially a 2-year fixed-term contract.
• A varied and responsible position in an international scientific environment
• The opportunity to actively shape the setup of a modern laboratory and contribute your own ideas
• Work with state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure and advanced instrumentation
• A collegial, committed, and interdisciplinary team
• Individual training and professional development opportunities
• The position is compensated in accordance with the TV-L collective bargaining agreement depending on qualifications up to pay grade E12; the specific pay grade will be determined based on the requirements of the collective bargaining agreement

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