Vacancy No. 520/2025
Research associate - Computer Science, Mathematics (f/m/d)
Advanced 3D Reconstruction and Image Processing for Synchrotron Microtomography
The new CmarT project aims to advance tomographic data acquisition and processing at leading synchrotron facilities such as PETRA III and ESRF. By combining advanced physical modeling with cutting-edge reconstruction algorithms for multi-scale and hierarchical imaging, it will dramatically increase the output data quality. Efficient implementation and integration into the experiment workflows will transform the way scientists conduct complex 3D imaging experiments.
X-ray microscopy and tomography at synchrotron facilities enable high-resolution imaging of specimens ranging from single cells to bulk materials. However, fully exploiting these methods is challenging due to complex image acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis, especially for large samples. Current methods require extensive processing to extract relevant features, making experiments time-consuming and difficult for non-experts. The CmarT project aims to develop local adaptive tomography (LAT), an approach that combines adaptive data acquisition with advanced reconstruction algorithms and allows users to efficiently scan large, complex samples and at the same time capture important fine details. The resulting infrastructure will be integrated into experimental control and enable fast, interactive experiments with high-quality output data.
Job description
You will develop fast, adaptive 3D reconstruction tools for synchrotron tomography at PETRA III. Your work will enable real-time visualization, region-of-interest selection, and adaptive scanning, making high-quality 3D imaging accessible to both expert and non-expert users. You will implement advanced algorithms, including novel phase retrieval, artifact reduction, and motion-compensation schemes applied to established 3D reconstruction methods such as filtered back projection. You will optimize reconstruction pipelines using these algorithms and contribute to developing intuitive interfaces seamlessly integrated into beamline workflows, enabling image-based, feedback-driven experiments.
Main Tasks:
- Implement and optimize novel phase retrieval, artifact-reduction and motion compensation algorithms and integrate them into 3D reconstruction pipelines
- Develop metrics for real-time feedback on scan quality, including 2D and 3D resolution estimates.
- Integrate the developed pipelines into the beamline control system
Personal qualification
PhD in computer science, mathematics, or related disciplines or master degree with 2+ years of experience with X-ray imaging and image processing. Required Skills: Good proficiency in programming, particularly with C and Python; work experience with image-processing; fluency with Linux; experience with 3D X-ray imaging, machine learning, and parallel programming with OpenCL/CUDA is a plus.
Organizational unit
Laboratorium für Applikationen der Synchrotronstrahlung (LAS)
Starting date
01.03.2026
Salary
Salary category 13 TV-L, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.
Contract duration
3 Jahre
Application up to
18.01.2026
Contact person in line-management
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Tilo Baumbach, Email: tilo.baumbach@kit.edu.
Application
Please apply online using the button below for this vacancy number 520/2025 .
Personnel Support is provided by
Ms Kaiser
phone: +49 721 608-22438,
Personalservice (PSE)
We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.
Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.