Scientific Programmer

We seek to hire a professional scientific programmer to drive forward exciting collaborative projects at the interface of innovative microscopy and biophysics that seek to understand the actions of biological molecular machines.

This post is fixed term for 12 months with the possibility of an extension subject to funding

What are you going to do?

In this centrally important function for our group, you will:

• Be embedded in a communicative, interdisciplinary research group
• Be able to conceptually understand biophysical instrumentation and data 
• Design and spearhead the development of next-generation software to improve biophysical instrumentation
• Develop and implement solutions to analyze biophysical data 
• (Co-)author publications
• Develop your leadership skills while supporting and guiding group members
• Develop your teaching skills by supervising (under-)graduate students

About the role of the scientific programmer

We strongly believe that the quality of advances in biophysics relies on a basis of outstanding scientific programming. To this effect, in the Nynke Dekker lab we develop our own software to control experiments and perform state-of-the-art image processing and data analysis. As the scientific programmer, you will be the key person in our interdisciplinary research group driving this forward. This position requires a mix of scientific, technical, and interpersonal skills. You will actively participate in quantitative physics-based problem-solving and implementation of software solutions as well as provide expert advice in data analysis to the members of the team. The position (which can be either part-time or full-time) is offered as a one-year contract with the possibility of extension.

Requirements Applicants should have the following qualifications:
• A background in (computational) physics or another exact science at an academic level 

• A background in software engineering
• Aptitude for understanding and analysing scientific concepts
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in scientific computing such as Python, MATLAB, and/or R
• Familiarity with lower-level languages (e.g. C++) is advantageous.
• 1-2 years of professional experience in software development in a team setting
• Experience with version control distribution software like Git
• Experience with numerical methods and techniques, including optimization and statistical analysis
• Ability to adapt to emerging technologies in biophysics and computational methods
• Knowledge of concepts in digital image processing and analysis
• Knowledge of ImageJ or willingness to learn it
• Knowledge of biophysical models and an ability to translate theoretical concepts into computational simulations
• Familiarity with hardware interfacing or willingness to learn it
• Interest in absorbing the basics of quantitative biophysics and biology
• Excellent scientific communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate in a multidisciplinary environment ranging from physics and biophysics to biology 
• Proven ability to run a project and keep it on track
  • Professional proficiency in English
  • A PhD degree is a plus but not a formal requirement.

Information and application

For more information about these positions please contact Prof. Nynke Dekker, e-mail: nynke.dekker@physics.ox.ac.uk 

Only applications received before midday 11 June 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload a brief statement of research interests, CV and details of three referees as part of your online application.

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