Senior Scientist Universität Wien

Job description:

At the University of Vienna, almost 11,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,700 of them are academic staff members. These are individuals who, with their curiosity and their continuous pursuit of excellence, engage in international cutting-edge research and teaching. With us, you will also find space to unfold your potential. We are looking for a/an ...

Senior Scientist

Among the many reasons to research and teach at the University of Vienna there is one in particular, which has convinced around 7,500 academic staff members so far. They see themselves as personalities who need space for continuous striving for top international research and scientific excellence. At the same time, they enjoy support and liberties that are not a given at other institutions. Does that sound like something for you? Welcome to our team!
The Max Perutz Labs bring together the groups working in molecular biology at the University of Vienna. In order to intensify the collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna in the field of molecular biosciences, the Max Perutz Labs were founded in 2005. We maintain high-tech research infrastructures at two neighbouring locations, where around 450 scientists from more than 40 nations work in basic biomedical research in more than 45 research groups.

Your personal sphere of play:

The Matos laboratory is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to combine active scientific research with a central role in the scientific and organizational management of the laboratory.

The position is initially limited to 3 years, with the possibility of permanent employment by mutual agreement pending financial availability and following a positive evaluation.

The Matos lab is an internationally competitive and collaborative research group investigating the molecular mechanisms that control meiotic chromosome organization and homologous recombination. We are particularly interested in understanding how recombination intermediates are formed and processed, how meiotic crossovers are generated, and how chromosome architecture and recombination are coordinated to ensure accurate chromosome segregation during gametogenesis. To address these questions, we combine genetics, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, genomics and advanced imaging approaches in budding yeast and mammalian experimental systems.
The successful candidate will actively contribute to ongoing research while taking substantial responsibility for the scientific and organizational operation of the laboratory. The position is therefore particularly suited to an experienced scientist who enjoys experimental research but also takes satisfaction in supporting other scientists, solving scientific and technical problems, coordinating complex activities and ensuring that a highly collaborative laboratory operates effectively.

Your future tasks:

The successful candidate will actively participate in research, teaching and administration and will take a leading role in the scientific and organizational management of the laboratory.
This involves conducting and supporting research projects in chromosome biology, meiosis and homologous recombination, including the planning, execution and interpretation of experiments. The Senior Scientist will contribute broad scientific and technical expertise to projects across the laboratory and help establish, optimize and maintain experimental methods and workflows.
An important part of the position will be to support the scientific development and day-to-day research activities of other members of the group, as well as teaching. This includes discussing experimental strategies, helping with troubleshooting and data interpretation, transferring expertise between projects and providing scientific and practical supervision to undergraduate, Master and PhD students as well as other researchers in the laboratory. The successful candidate will contribute to scientific publications, presentations and grant-related activities.
The position additionally includes substantial responsibility for the organization and management of the laboratory. The Senior Scientist will help coordinate laboratory workflows and shared resources, oversee laboratory organization, equipment and inventories, and coordinate purchasing and the availability of reagents and consumables. They will contribute to the implementation and documentation of laboratory procedures and help ensure that equipment, experimental resources and laboratory spaces are maintained and used effectively.
The successful candidate will coordinate the onboarding and offboarding of laboratory members and facilitate the transfer of knowledge, protocols and responsibilities within the group. They will act as an important interface between the laboratory, administrative staff, scientific core facilities and other research groups at the Max Perutz Labs and Vienna BioCenter.
Together with the group leader and other senior members of the laboratory, the Senior Scientist will contribute to the planning of laboratory resources and to maintaining an efficient, supportive and scientifically ambitious research environment.
The position also includes practical and theoretical teaching of undergraduate and graduate students in molecular biology, genetics and chromosome biology, mentoring and supervision of students, and occasional participation in scientific outreach activities.

This is part of your personality:

•    PhD degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry or a related field.
•    Strong scientific background in chromosome biology, meiosis, homologous recombination or related areas of molecular and cell biology.
•    Extensive practical experience in molecular biology and genetics. Experience with budding yeast genetics and meiotic experimental systems is particularly beneficial.
•    Broad experimental expertise and the ability to understand, discuss and support different research projects and experimental approaches.
•    Strong publication record and demonstrated scientific track record.
•    Experience in experimental design, troubleshooting, data interpretation and the development or optimization of experimental workflows.
•    Strong motivation to support research projects and provide scientific and practical feedback to other members of the laboratory.
•    Experience in mentoring and practical supervision of undergraduate, Master and/or PhD students.
•    Experience in laboratory organization or management, including coordination of laboratory workflows, equipment, shared resources, reagents and purchasing.
•    Excellent organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple scientific and operational activities in parallel.
•    A high degree of independence, reliability and sense of responsibility.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and enthusiasm for working in a collaborative and international research environment.
•    Experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate students is beneficial.
•    Excellent spoken and written English skills; German skills are beneficial.
•    Experience in science communication and public outreach is beneficial.
We are particularly looking for a scientist who enjoys combining hands-on research with a broader responsibility for the laboratory and its scientific activities. The successful candidate should be interested not only in advancing their own experimental work, but also in helping other researchers and projects succeed and in contributing to the long-term scientific and organizational development of the group.

What we offer:

Fixed-term contract and fair salary: We offer a full-time (40 h/week) contract with a basic salary according to the applicable collective bargaining agreement. The basic salary for Senior Scientists (postdoctoral) is EUR 5,014.30 gross per month, paid 14 times a year, and may increase depending on creditable professional experience. The position is initially offered for 3 years, with the possibility of extension to a permanent contract based on a qualification agreement.

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work upon agreement and where compatible with the responsibilities of the position.

Inspiring working atmosphere: You will be part of an international academic team in a collaborative, stimulating and fair working environment. The Max Perutz Labs and the wider Vienna BioCenter provide an outstanding scientific environment with access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and a broad community covering molecular, cellular and structural biology.

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

Internal further training & Coaching: You will have the opportunity to continuously develop your professional and personal skills. The University of Vienna offers more than 600 internal training courses free of charge.

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

It is that easy to apply:

• With your scientific curriculum vitae / letter of motivation
• With your list of publications
• With your short summary of research interests and relevant scientific and laboratory management experience (max. 1 page)
• Proof of your Doctoral Degree 
• Contact details of persons who could provide reference letters
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button

If you have any questions, please contact:

Joao Matos  

joao.matos@univie.ac.at

We look forward to new personalities in our team! 
The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

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​Application deadline: 09/17/2026 

Apply now