Postdoctoral Fellow in Pain Proteomics

The position is limited to a total of 6 years.

Do you have a strong interest in Systems Biology and the relevance of the Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease? Then come join our team as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Manuela Schmidt, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Austria. Our translational research focuses on the molecular underpinnings of painful pathologies in vertebrates and on the dynamics of gut microbiota function in the context of pain.

Your personal sphere of play:

Your future workplace is situated at the Faculty of Life Sciences at the Universitätszentrum Althanstraße (UZA II) where research groups work in the pharmaceutical sciences, nutritional sciences and biology. Research in our workgroup “Systems Biology of Pain” is driven by our motivation to decipher the dynamics of protein networks and host-microbiome interactions underlying vertebrate pain. Methodologically, we combine molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, preclinical mouse models and latest (meta)proteomics techniques. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled us to investigate spatiotemporal proteome dynamics relevant for pain both in mice and humans. Our research lives from our fruitful collaborations with basic researchers, bioinformaticians and clinicians alike facilitating forward and reverse translation of our research results. Importantly, our research highly benefits from innovative methodological expertise and collaboration with the newly established University Vienna – Bruker Center of Excellence for Metaproteomics.

The position holder will work on pain-related dynamics of the proteome and the metaproteome in preclinical mouse models and in clinical projects. Candidates need expert knowledge in biochemistry and proteomics including hands-on expertise in quantitative mass spectrometry and respective data analysis. Candidates having expertise in metaproteomics, pain research or preclinical disease models will be given preference. Above all, we seek a skilled and dedicated person, who enjoys science and shares our passion for research!

Your future tasks:

• Plan and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments on the gut microbiome in mice.
• Investigate the dynamics of host-microbiome interactions in mice and humans.
• Plan and perform (meta)proteomics experiments using quantitative mass spectrometry.
• Analyze (meta)proteomics data.
• Manage and develop research projects and publish acquired results.
• Manage collaborative projects within our research group and with our collaboration partners.
• Teach Bsc and Msc students of pharmacy in lectures and practical courses.
• Supervise research projects of Msc and PhD students.

This is part of your personality: 

• Open, collaborative and curious personality
• Pro-active approach and highly motivated and dedicated attitude
• High social and collaborative skills.
• Outstanding ability to work in a team.
• Outstanding ability to work independently and in a self-driven manner.
• Prominent management skills.
• Advanced communication skills, proven ability to communicate with specialists from other fields.
• Highly organized style of work and outstanding ability to document procedures and experiments in detail and in accordance to legal requirements.
• High interest for teaching the next generation of pharmacy students and scientists.

Education and training

• Completed doctoral/PhD studies in medicine, biology, pharmacy or related fields.
• High competence and documented experience in biochemistry. Candidates having experience in pain research or preclinical disease models will be given preference.
• Strong hands-on expertise in quantitative mass spectrometry and respective data analysis using R or Python. Candidates having experience in metaproteomics will be given preference.
• Fluent in English (in speech and writing)

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours.

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Good public transport connections: Your workplace in the center of beautiful Vienna is easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & Coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge.

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 2,376,15 (14 times a year).

Equal opportunities for all: We look forward to diverse personalities the team!

It is that easy to apply:

• With your scientific curriculum vitae, which highlights your exceptional fit to this position.
• With your letter of intent, clearly outlining your motivation for this position
• With your summary of research interests (max. 1 p.)
• With your list of publications
• Doctoral Degree 
• With contact details of persons, who could provide referece letters
• Via our  job portal/ Apply now -  button