The Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (VDS PhaNuSpo) intends to provide an internationally competitive scientific training of doctoral students in innovative pharma, food and sport research. The school thrives to attract highly motivated students and to guide them towards scientific excellence and independence in a truly unique and dynamic multi-as well as interdisciplinary environment to finally become well-educated, open-minded and responsible graduates.

Your personal sphere of influence:

The "Pharmaceutical Bioanalysis" research group (Ass. Prof. Dr. Sophia Khom) within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences has a vacancy for a University Assistant praedoc (PhD) to investigate the molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral implications of altered synaptic signaling in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. According to the World Health Organization, harmful alcohol consumption results in the deaths of 1 million individuals every year in Europe. Our research aims to ultimately elucidate mechanisms by which chronic alcohol consumption disrupts brain function and identify new targets for preventing or treating alcohol use disorder and associated conditions.

The PhD candidate will use recombinant expression systems to investigate and characterize the action of novel ligands at inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors at the molecular level and ex vivo and in vivo models of neurological and neuropsychiatric disease to evaluate the pharmacological profile of suitable drug candidates.

Your future tasks:

We expect that a successful candidate will actively engage in research and teaching and provide support in administrative affairs, which means: 

• Conducting research projects in the field of neuropsychiatric and neurological disease
• Generating animal models (incl. stereotactic surgery)
• Performing electrophysiological experiments, histology (e.g., immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization) and imaging
• Data analysis
• Contributing to collaborative projects
• Contributing to writing publications and grants

We expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within the first year of employment.

This is part of your personality:

• You have an above average master’s degree or similar in pharmaceutical sciences, neurosciences, biology, or a similar field.
• You have a profound interest in neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases and are willing to apply in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo approaches to understand their underlying mechanisms.
• You are open-minded and eager to learn.
• You are goal-oriented and have a high motivation to strive for scientific excellence.
• You have experience in electrophysiological techniques (is a must).  
• You have basic knowledge in molecular biology, histology, and imaging techniques (is a plus).
• You have experience in working with animals (is a plus).
• You have a very good command of written and spoken English (is a must).

What we offer:

The employment duration is initially limited to 1.5 years but will be automatically extended to 4 years unless the employer terminates it within the first 12 months by submitting a declaration of non-extension. Job grading in accordance with collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) with relevant work experience determining the assignment to a particular salary grade. The basic salary of EUR 3578,80 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

You will be part of a young, diverse, and ambitious team in a healthy and fair working atmosphere. All our team members enjoy flexible and family-friendly working hours. The lab is easily accessible by public transport. You will be given numerous opportunities to acquire and deepen your skills from a broad repertoire of internal training and coaching opportunities - all for free.

It is that easy to apply:

Use our job portal/Apply now button to apply for this position and your application documents should include:

• a letter of intent summarizing your research interests
• a scientific curriculum vitae
• degree certificates (master’s/diploma)
• 2 reference letters