Summary
The University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Falk Lab at the Max Perutz Labs. This position focuses on investigating the assembly and regulation of the C. elegans small RNA amplification machinery, utilizing a combination of biochemistry, biophysics, and worm genetics. The role involves active participation in research, teaching, and administration within an international academic environment.
Postdoctoral Position: Assembly and Regulation of C. elegans Small RNA Amplification Machinery
Designation
Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Area
- Assembly and regulation of the C. elegans small RNA amplification machinery
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- C. elegans genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Location
Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Eligibility/Qualification
Required:
- A PhD, completed or near completion, in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, or a related field.
- Extensive experience with recombinant protein production and purification.
- Extensive experience with biophysical methods to assess oligomeric state, ligand binding, and mono- or polydispersity (e.g., SEC-MALS, mass photometry, ITC, MST, or fluorescence anisotropy).
- Extensive experience establishing enzymatic activity assays.
- Good written and spoken English and clear communication.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team and to drive a project.
Advantageous:
- Experience working with C. elegans, including generation of transgenic animals, cytology, and phenotypic assessment.
- Familiarity with structural biology, cryo-EM or crystallography, or interest in integrating structural data.
- Experience with microscopy and computational image analysis.
General Expectations:
- Present work regularly and contribute to manuscripts and, where relevant, grant applications.
- Keep rigorous, well-documented, and reproducible records and data.
- Contribute to a collaborative and supportive lab environment.
Job Description
The successful candidate will actively participate in research, teaching, and administration, including:
- Driving a research project on the assembly and regulation of the small RNA amplification machinery, bridging in vitro reconstitution and biochemistry with C. elegans genetics.
- Meeting and consulting with the supervisor regularly to prioritize tasks.
- Participating in group, campus, and workshop activities.
- Presenting at conferences and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
- Actively seeking support through workshops, training, and coaching when useful.
- Contributing to the education and supervision of Bachelor, Master, and PhD students.
What the University Offers:
- Work-life balance: Flexible working hours, remote/hybrid, and/or part-time work (upon agreement).
- Inspiring working atmosphere: Part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.
- Good public transport connections: Workplace in the center of Vienna, easily accessible.
- Internal further training & Coaching: Opportunity to deepen skills with over 600 free courses.
- Fixed-term contract and fair salary: Basic salary of EUR 5,079.50 (14 times a year), potentially increasing with professional experience.
- Welcome Compass: Support for settling into the new role and life in Vienna.
- Equal opportunities: An anti-discriminatory employment policy with an emphasis on equal opportunities, advancement of women, and diversity. Qualified women are expressly encouraged to apply, and given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following documents via the job portal:
- Scientific curriculum vitae / letter of intent.
- List of publications.
- Summary of research interests (max. 1 page).
- Contact details of persons who could provide reference letters.
For questions, please contact: Sebastian Falk (sebastian.falk@univie.ac.at)
Last Date for Apply
October 18, 2026
Apply Link
