Mechatronics Engineer
Job Summary
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
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
- 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.
- 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 3.33543 after tax and before 1299% 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 insurancefor 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
30/08/2026Required Experience:
IC
About Company
With 29 member states, laboratories at six locations across Europe and thousands of scientists and engineers working together, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory is a powerhouse of biological expertise. The intergovernmental organisation, headquartered in Heidelberg, was founde ... View more