Mechatronics Engineer

These are exciting times at EMBL Grenoble. To support our growing activities, we are looking to strengthen our Instrumentation Team with an enthusiastic and skilled Mechatronics Engineer. The Instrumentation Team

(https://www.embl.org/groups/papp/ ) develops high-precision instruments for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography (MX), Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and Cryo-Electron Microscopy/Tomography (Cryo-EM/ET).

Our long-term development projects cover the complete lifecycle of scientific instrumentation, including mechanical and electrical design, manufacturing and assembly, cabling, and the development of both low- and high-level control software. Our instruments are deployed at leading international research facilities, where they support cutting-edge scientific research. Team members are actively involved in the maintenance, upgrade, and continuous improvement of these systems throughout their operational lifetime.

The EMBL Grenoble Instrumentation Team is partnering with the ESRF to develop the endstation of the new ID18 nano-tomography beamline. Within this collaboration, EMBL is responsible for the design and development of an automated sample changer operating under high vacuum and cryogenic conditions. The successful candidate will drive the electrical, electronic and low level control development of this system, from design through to its final integration and commissioning.

Your role 

You will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians. Under supervision of the Team Leader, you will contribute to the design, development, commissioning, upgrade, and maintenance of advanced scientific instruments.
As part of our close collaboration with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), you will work alongside technical and scientific staff and regularly support activities on partner beamlines. Occasional travel and short assignments at EMBL sites in Hamburg and Heidelberg may also be required.
 

Your Responsibilities

• Designing and wiring electrical cabinets, including power and control electronics, safety circuits, I/O systems, and pneumatic installations.
• Developing and implementing control and safety logic using PLC systems, and designing dedicated electronic circuits and motion control solutions (e.g. Beckhoff, PMAC).
• Designing, integrating, and commissioning mechatronic systems operating in highly constrained environments, such as vacuum and cryogenic conditions.
• Performing system qualification and validation, including thermal performance testing and vacuum leak testing.
• Producing and maintaining high-quality technical documentation.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement, reliability, and maintainability of existing instrumentation.
   

Meeting project deadlines while delivering industrial-quality designs, documentation, and implementations will be a key aspect of the role.

You have

Technical Skills

• An advanced degree in Mechatronics/Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in electrical and electronic schematic design.
• Experience in the development of instrumentation and control electronics.
• Experience working with vacuum and cryogenic systems.
• Experience with pneumatic and/or hydraulic installations.
• Proficiency in motion control systems.
• A solid understanding of applied physics for engineering applications.
• Knowledge of PLC programming and industrial automation.

Personal Skills

• A proactive and self-motivated approach to work.
• The ability to present, explain, and justify technical solutions.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Confidence in contributing to technical discussions and decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills and a good level of English, both written and spoken.

You may also have

• Experience in prototype development, assembly, and testing.
• Experience working in an international research environment.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols.
• Knowledge of optics.
• A good working knowledge of French.

Contract length: 3 years

Salary: grade 4-6 depending on experience (monthly salary starting at €3.335,43 after tax, and before 12,99% EMBL social security deductions, plus other paid benefits). 

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation. 

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, monthly family and child allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (some sites only), on-site library, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date