Mastersarbeit oder Doktorarbeit in Physik / Biophysik in Mainz

You are a physics student and are looking for a Masters or PhD project: We offer the possibility to work in a fascinating, multi-disciplinary environment in our group at IMB-Mainz.

PhD positions

IMB offers PhD positions twice a year (summer and winter call). A description of the PhD project in our group can be found in our job advertisement. To apply, please visit the webpage of the International PhD Programme (IPP).

Masters positions

We have several Masters theses available in the field of Spatially resolved optics of single molecules (Ortsaufgelöste Optik/Mikroskopie von Einzelmolekülen).

Three possible subjects for a masters thesis are:

1.) 3D high precision measurements using a diffraction grating (Spatially Modulated Illumination [SMI]).
[Details ...] Ad 1.) By implementing a standing wavefield illumination along the optical axis, excitation of fluorescence is highly modulated according to the position of the fluorophore. This modulation is visible in the acquired 3D data stacks, and can be used to extract superresolution structural information such as object position and size. This Spatially Modulated Illumination (SMI) approach is then combined with methods of Localization Miroscopy (LM) to yield a true superresolution image in 3D.
In this thesis, you will implement a symmetrical laser illumination light path in our SPDM microscope. You will then align the interferometer for all laser wavelengths, and acquire test data from fluorescent beads. After characterization of the system, you will be able to apply this new combination of techniques to one (or more) biological samples provided by our collaboration partners.
Skills required: A keen interest in hardware setup and alignment of optical equipment.
A background in physics or engineering or similar is necessary.

2.) 3D high precision measurements with asymmetric Point-Spread-Function engineering.
[Details ...] Ad 2.) An additional cylindrical lens in the detection light path is usually unwanted as it introduces astigmatic aberrations in the acquired images. In case of Localization Microscopy (LM), we measure the signals from few individual fluorophores (i.e. point-like objects). In this case, the image consists of copies of the microscopes impulse-response-function (the so-called Point-Spread-Function or PSF) at the positions of each fluorophore detected. Hence, aberrations can be easily deduced from the image, and may even be used to extract the third dimension which is usually very difficult to access in wide-field microscopy.
In this thesis, you will redesign the detection light path of a superresolution microscope to switch astigmatism on/off according to the desired acquisition mode (wide field or localization mode). You will then calibrate the astigmatism and from there calibrate the z-position to be extracted from the localization microscopy data. You will then apply the microscope system to one (or more) biological cell samples provided by our collaboration partners.
Skills required: A keen interest in hardware setup and alignment of optical equipment.
A background in physics or engineering or similar is necessary.

3.) Super-resolution microscopy of Tissue Samples.
[Details ...] Ad 3.) Within medical collaborations (oncology, neurobiology) we are investigating by means of Superresolution Microscopy (Single Molecule Localization Microscopy, Structured Illumination Microscopy) samples of various human and mammalian tissues. The goal is to study nuclear genome nanostructure in the cellular context.
Acquisition is done using our own software to control the custom built microscopes.
Evaluation is done using our own software written in Matlab.
Skills required: A keen interest in quantitative microscopy is required. A basic knowledge of Matlab would be helpful.


We have more Masters theses in the field of applied biomedical optics and computational image analysis, and also a range of Masters/Diploma thesis in Applied Optics at our Heidelberg branch.

Currently, all Masters theses will be supervised jointly by Prof. Cremer and Prof. Schönhense.

Contact and application for a Masters thesis:
Dr. Marton Gelleri
email: M.Gelleri@imb-mainz.de
Tel. 06131 39 21 524
Please feel free to contact us for more information and/or for a short lab tour.