Published on 28.01.2026

Helmholtz Imaging Newsletter Issue No. 25

Visual to promote the Helmholtz Imaging Newsletter; image by R. Deliz-Aguirre, MDC, called "Starfish Puts Motion Back In The Ocean", showing cilia-driven flows around Patiria miniata starfish embryos in colorful lines that create abstract patterns on black background.
Image: Rafael Deliz-Aguirre, MDC | info

Dear Imaging Enthusiast,

In this issue of the Helmholtz Imaging Newsletter, we bring together a wide range of updates from across our imaging community: from current projects and platforms to opportunities for exchange, feedback, and collaboration, to a new Tools & Resources section inspired by your feedback. We also invite you to get involved: save the date for the Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2026, share your views via our short community survey, and discover upcoming events, awards, and funding opportunities.

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

As always, we welcome your contributions. Share your imaging-related news and events with us at katharina.kriegel@helmholtz-imaging.de. Let’s keep building our vibrant imaging community together.

Happy reading!

Your Helmholtz Imaging team

***

A personal note from us:

Do you have an imaging challenge, no matter how big or small? We’re here to help you, free of charge. Contact us via our support hub. 

Also, if you haven’t yet, join our network of experts, modalities, instruments, and facilities! CONNECT with us.

Interested in receiving our newsletter directly in your mailbox? Subscribe here.

Visit our Helmholtz Model Zoo, the new platform for Helmholtz employees for AI-powered research: easy access, user-friendly, strong data protection, and a growing set of validated models from different domains. Join the community!

***

Visual to promote the Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2026; image by Thorsten Wiegand from the UFZ called "Tropical Forest on Barro Colorado Island" showing the spatial position, species (color), and size of 87,570 individual trees in a 1000m × 500m section of the tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, located in the Panama Canal. On the image colorful dots of different sizes are placed in an unstructured way on grey background. On the image a black box is place to inform the viewers about the date and location as well as the call to save the date
Thorsten Wiegand, UFZ (background image)

Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2026: Save the Date

Join scientists from across Helmholtz and beyond at the next annual Helmholtz Imaging Conference, taking place November 9-13, 2026 in Leipzig. Look forward to inspiring keynotes, scientific talks and posters, interactive sessions such as “Bring Your Own Imaging Challenge”, and opportunities to connect across disciplines. Satellite workshops will complement the program with in-depth thematic discussions. 

​Mark your calendar and stay tuned for details on registration and abstract submission

Image by Markus Bachmann, DLR, called "A Heart from the TanDEM-X DEM", showing a heart-shaped topographic structure in the Lut Desert, Iran, acquired by the German radar satellites mission TanDEM-X.
Markus Bachmann, DLR

Seven new Helmholtz Imaging projects selected for funding 

Helmholtz Imaging has selected seven new interdisciplinary projects for funding through its latest project call, including two projects – GROOVY and MULTI-TRACE – that successfully applied for the new additional budget through the “Generalizing Imaging Solutions Track”, which promotes reusable, cross-domain imaging solutions.  The projects span a wide range of imaging technologies and applications, from AI-driven atmospheric and environmental monitoring to advanced microscopy and biomedical imaging.

We present the newly funded projects:

  • 3D-Gain: Realistic 3D Atmospheric Reconstruction for Generative AI Nowcasting of Precipitation and Irradiance using Remote Sensing and In-Situ Data
  • BenthicAI: Illuminating invisible life in the Wadden Sea
  • GROOVY: HiGh ContRast DichrOic ReflectiOn EUV MicroscopY    
  • MemBrain-structure: AI-driven End-to-End Pipeline for Membrane Protein Structure De-termination by Cryo-ET
  • Moisture3D: Mapping of Integral Soil Tomography Using Radar Enhancement in 3D
  • MULTI-TRACE: Simultaneous quantitative multi-molecular PET imaging of two radiopharmaceuticals: from algorithmic developments to applications in neuroscience and oncology
  • Vi(MA)2C: Vision-based Microscope Automation for Microbial Arena Composition Composition (apply as Scientist / Postdoc – Smart Vision-Based Control of Microbial Arenas at FZ Jülich)

By fostering close collaboration between method developers and domain scientists across the Helmholtz Association, the funded projects strengthen innovation in imaging research and support long-term scientific cooperation with impact in science and society.

Building on the success of the recently funded projects, the next call opens on March 26, 2026. Submit your proposal and bring your imaging ideas to the next stage.

More information on the new Helmholtz Imaging Projects

Laptop on a workbench surrounded by DIY and construction tools, top view, hobby and crafting concept
Envato Elements

Tools & Resources, from the Community, for the Community

We asked, and you answered! At the last Helmholtz Imaging Conference, you told us you want more tools and resources for imaging research. So we’re excited to launch a new newsletter section highlighting open, practical solutions from the Helmholtz Imaging community.

Tool spotlight: Allpix Squared

Visual to promote the Allpix CONNECT solution; image shows a graph with a blue entity

Allpix Squared is an open-source semiconductor detector simulation framework enabling end-to-end simulations, from incident ionizing radiation to the digitization of hits on the imager. It implements a large number of physics effects in semiconductor sensors and is able to simulate both individual sensors to detector systems based on semiconductor detectors. The community-driven, open-source framework incorporates ideas and concepts from more than 70 contributors world-wide.

Learn more on CONNECT

Image: Simon Spannagel

Have a tool, dataset, software package, or other resource you’d like to share? Submit your solution via CONNECT and help grow the collection of open and easy-to-use imaging resources. We look forward to featuring more community-driven tools in upcoming issues!

Group of Helmholtz Imaging Conference participants standing in a circle, discussing; in the background the 2025 Best Scientific Image Contest is on display
Jörg Modrow

Last Call: Help Shape the Next Helmholtz Imaging Conference

It’s not too late to have your say! We’re still collecting feedback to help shape the Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2026. Your input really matters to us. Whether it’s session formats, thematic focus, or networking ideas, your responses will directly influence how the conference is designed.

Takes just 3-5 minutes. 

What we’re asking about:

  • Interactive formats you value most (workshops, posters, lightning talks, panels, etc.)
  • Thematic focus and interest in satellite workshops
  • What makes networking and breaks effective for you
  • Industry participation: how important is it?
  • Barriers to attending and what we can improve
Four espresso cups with the Helmholtz Imaging

Bonus: All participants can enter our espresso cup lottery, one set of Helmholtz Imaging cups to be won!

Take the survey (by February 28, 2026)
Visual to promote the Helmholtz Model Zoo; this image shows green, blue, orange squares with abstract symbols as well es rectangulars with images from the life, material and earth sciences

The Helmholtz Model Zoo: Share, Use, and Reuse AI Models

The Helmholtz Model Zoo (HMZ) is a cloud-based platform that enables researchers across Helmholtz to share, discover, and apply AI models with minimal technical barriers. Advanced models can be accessed via intuitive web interfaces or integrated directly into workflows through APIs, making it easier to use AI models across disciplines.

“The Helmholtz Model Zoo will empower researchers with efficient, easy-to-access tools while fostering innovation throughout the Helmholtz ecosystem, advancing applications in a broad field of imaging science from biomedicine to Earth observation.” – Prof. Martin Keller, President of the Helmholtz Association

Whether you want to apply existing models, share your own, or explore how AI can support your research, the Helmholtz Model Zoo offers a secure, collaborative environment within the Helmholtz cloud.

Explore the Helmholtz Model Zoo and get involved 

Group photo, Helmholtz Imaging team
Knut Sander

Meet Helmholtz Imaging

Say hello to Helmholtz Imaging team members at the following events:

  • Meet Deborah, Kris and Philipp from our Engineering and Support Hub at the Helmholtz AI Consultant Retreat on January 27-29 in Fulda.
  • Say hello to Sara from our Management Unit at the Helmholtz AI Yearly Planning meeting on February 2 in Munich.  
  • Say hi to Annika at her virtual HIDA lecture on February 19 (details below).
  • Meet Karol from the Engineering and Support Hub at DKFZ at the closing conference of GCMAC – Germany x Canada : Accelerating Materials Innovation Across Borders – on March 3-5 in FZ Jülich.

News from our Partner Platforms

Text on image; text says "HMC FAIR Friday - Seminar Series on latest FAIR Data Topics" and includes the HMC logo; the background is an abstract image in blue colors consisting of dots creating a wave-like structure

HMC

HMC FAIR Friday in 2026: New talks ahead

The HMC FAIR Friday seminar series will continue in 2026 with interesting insights on FAIR data – findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Next talk will be on February 13, 2026 with the HMC project “ELN-DIY-Meta” on “Creating Interoperability for Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs)”

Details & registration

Visual to promote a HIDA Lecture; wording "HIDA Lecture Series" on an abstract background displaying blue and purple converging lines

HIDA

Lecture: When AI Performance Misleads!

Why do AI models shine in papers but stumble in practice? In her lecture on February 19, Annika Reinke from Helmholtz Imaging dives into misleading validation, metric misuse, and the false confidence they create. Join to discover practical recommendations for robust, trustworthy AI validation and safer real-world deployment.

Register now

abstract visual, blue dots creating lines and wave-like structures on a dark blue, almost black background

HIFIS

ScienceServe projects selected

The ScienceServe call has entered its project phase: 17 projects will start in 2026, each running for 12 months. Together, they strengthen research software across Helmholtz, from climate and biomedicine to materials science and large-scale infrastructures, with a focus on sustainability, interoperability, and long-term usability.

Discover the funded projects

decorative image
Created by Firefly

Funding Opportunities

Next Frontier AI Challenge: SPRIND – the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation – is running a challenge to build three European frontier AI labs. Deadline: May 2026.

“Best Research Environment” award: Does your team foster an open, creative, and supportive research culture? Apply for the award and compete for 10,000 EUR in prize money. Deadline: March 1, 2026. 

Helmholtz Investigator Groups & Helmholtz Innovation Exploration Groups: program to win international and national recognized researchers for a first leadership position in science, and to support outstanding postdoctoral researchers

HIDA Mobility Program: program to facilitate research stays at other Helmholtz Centers or international partner institutions for up to three months. Apply at any time. 

Initiation of International Collaboration: grant program for applicants interested in establishing collaborative scientific relationships with partners abroad. Apply at any time.

Helmholtz Imaging Conference 2024, Heidelberg, May 14-15; group of people sitting on chairs in a cirlce; photo taken from bird's eyes' perspective
Jörg Modrow

External events

Do you know of any imaging-related events that could be of interest to our imaging community? We’d love to hear from you. Share the details with us at Katharina.Kriegel@helmholtz-imaging.de.

Visual; abstract background lines and dots, blue color
Envato Elements

New publications

Non-Destructive Investigation of a Georgian Codex Binding Using a Portable Computed Tomography Scanner by P. Paetzold et al. 

Temporal Neural Cellular Automata: Application to Modeling of Contrast Enhancement in Breast MRI by D. Lang et al. 

A Spatio-Temporal Dataset for Satellite-Based Landslide Detection by P. Höhn et al.  

Automated classification of cellular expression in multiplexed imaging data with Nimbus by J. Rumberger et al. 

Discover all publications by Helmholtz Imaging

Job openings

Helmholtz Association

FZ Jülich
Scientist / Postdoc – Smart Vision-Based Control of Microbial Arenas (new Helmholtz Imaging Project)

PhD Position – High-Fidelity Multi-Instance Modeling of Living Symbioses: 3D+t Reconstruction of Paramecia and Symbionts from Live-Cell Microscopy (HDS-LEE graduate school)

DZNE
Postdoctoral Scientist (f/m/x) Population-based Eye Imaging

HZDR
Postdoc (f/m/d) on Generative AI for de Novo Protein Design

Helmholtz Munich
PhD Candidate (f/m/x) – AI/ML Drug Discovery for Brain Diseases

More jobs at Helmholtz

External

The Francis Crick Institute
Data and Systems Steward

EUMETSAT
Remote Sensing Scientist – Optical Cloud Imaging

Nucs AI
Full Stack Engineer – Medical Imaging

ECHO
Imaging Specialist
­