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].

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.

Tasks:

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

Qualifications and Skills:

• 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.
• Experience in project management and management skills.
• Experience in experimental physics; ideally experience in the fields of optics, nonlinear optics or ultrafast lasers.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills
• Interest in interdisciplinary work with interface to biomedical applications.
• Willingness to travel.
• Good command of the English language

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

[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.