Postdoc in physics (m/f/d) in the project “Virtual Museum”

As a member of the DNFS (Deutsche Naturwissenschaftliche Forschungssammlungen e.V.), the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe (SMNK) is one of the largest research museums and collections in Germany and presents permanent and special exhibitions on over 5000 m², including the largest living coral reef in Germany. With extensive analogue and digital offerings, it attracts more than 200,000 visitors every year. As a nationally and internationally active research museum in the fields of geosciences and biosciences, the museum enjoys recognition far beyond the region. The SMNK has a well-developed research infrastructure with molecular laboratories and imaging facilities. Based on its extensive collections and the taxonomic expertise of its curators, the museum is also an important point of contact for the general public, schools and the press interested in plant, fungal and animal species in south-western Germany and for experts in the region, as well as a cooperation partner for national and international institutes.

 

The Natural History Museum Karlsruhe is looking for a

Postdoc in physics (m/f/d) in the project “Virtual Museum”

(limited to 3 years, full time, EG 13 TV-L)


Topic: Towards Serial Micro-Computed Tomography (SµCT) with synchrotron radiation

 

Summary: The aim is to develop autonomous X-ray Serial Micro-Computed Tomography (SµCT) with synchrotron radiation for morphological imaging of large collections of biological samples from natural history museums for large-scale biodiversity and evolutionary studies. Your research will focus on multiple contrast and hierarchical imaging by use of coherent X-ray optics, state-of-the-art image reconstruction algorithms, and experiment automation to optimize imaging conditions.

Scientific context: The collaborative VIRTUAL MUSEUM project combines the expertise and infrastructure of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe (SMNK) and State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNS) as well as the two Synchrotron Radiation Facilities KIT Light Source at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and PETRA III at DESY, Hamburg. It will revolutionize how scientific collections are digitized, creating a scalable, automated morphological imaging system to capture the rich diversity of fossil and living specimens. We employ most advanced coherent X-ray imaging techniques, implement intelligent robotics, develop AI-supported image acquisition and analysis routines with adaptive control systems for adaptive field of view, resolution and image contrast, on-the-fly 3D reconstruction, and automated quality check to achieve serial tomography without manual intervention. This will enable transforming large sample collections into virtual, research-ready digital twin collections accessible worldwide for comparative morphology analysis in correlation with genetic, environmental and other metadata. This will open the door to large-scale, data-driven biodiversity and evolutionary studies, support VR-compatible exploration of collections, and form a key pillar in Germany’s strategy for digital natural history research.

Major parts of the methodical, instrumental and experimental work will be carried out at the Institute of Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation at KIT with experimental campaigns being performed at PETRA III, DESY Hamburg.

 

Your tasks:

  • Implementing serial Micro-Computed Tomography adapted to the needs of large arthropod collections
  • Implement hierarchical imaging and serial tomography workflows 
  • Integrate optional imaging optics into the pipeline, including high-level control and on-line compensation for mechanical instabilities and beam drift.
  • Implement algorithms for on-line pre-characterization of samples from visible light images and fast low-quality X-ray scans for AI-supported selection of final DAQ parameters
  • Implement hierarchical imaging workflows 
  • Performing exemplary measuring campaigns of various types of arthropod sample collections
  • Coordinate experimental campaigns and contribute to scientific publications and conference contributions.


Qualification:

  • PhD in physics, or related disciplines
  • Experience with X-ray imaging physics, image reconstruction and signal processing
  • Knowledge of tomographic methods and phase contrast imaging
  • Skills in data analysis and algorithm development in Python
  • Familiarity with experimental setups and optics integration.


We offer:

  • Payment will be in EG 13 TV-L
  • Contract duration of three years
  • Contribution to a BMFTR funded project
  • Dynamic collaboration in an international research team
  • The opportunity to work at a nationally renowned research museum with recognized collections and an attractive exhibition
  • Access to most advanced X-ray imaging technologies at the KIT Light Source in Karlsruhe and at the PETRA III Storage Ring at DESY, Hamburg
  • Flexible work time and family-friendly working hours (39.5 h/week); possibility of mobile working (1 day/week)
  • Participation in company health management, job ticket and job bike subsidized by the state of Baden-Württemberg

Equal opportunities are crucial to our human resources policy. We highly value diversity and therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

People with disabilities obtain preferential consideration if equally qualified. Please mention this in your cover letter and enclose proof of your disability. The SMNK strives to increase the proportion of women in areas where underrepresented and therefore expressly encourages qualified women to apply.

 

Please send your informative electronic application with CV, list of publications, certificates and references to bewerbung[at]smnk.de by February 20th 2026, quoting reference number 03_2026.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Martin Husemann via E-Mail: martin.husemann[at]smnk.de.

Please note that the application documents will be forwarded to the persons involved in the recruitment process.

Further information on the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe and the Institute for Photon Science can also be found on the Internet at www.smnk.de and www.ips.kit.edu

 

Data protection notice for applicants

The protection of your personal data is an important concern for the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe and is guaranteed at all times. All personal data collected and processed as part of an application is protected against unauthorized access and manipulation by technical and organizational measures. 

Your data will only be used to process your application within the Natural History Museum and by our project partners at the Laboratory of Applications of Synchrotron Radiation at KIT and will be treated in strict confidence in accordance with legal regulations.

If you send your application by e-mail, please note that confidentiality risks and unauthorized access by third parties cannot be ruled out when communicating by unencrypted e-mail.

Questions and suggestions on data protection

If you have any questions or suggestions on the subject of data protection, please contact our data protection officer. E-mail: datenschutz[at]smnk.de