Tenure-Track Professorship in Mechanistic Cell and Developmental Biology

The position:

The Max Perutz Labs, one of Europe’s leading institutes for basic research in the life sciences, invites applications for a tenure-track group leader position. We are seeking exceptional candidates who will contribute in creative ways to the institute’s mission to analyze and reconstitute complex biological systems across different scales.

Candidates should have a proven track record in biology, biophysics, or computational science. Your research proposal should be original and innovative, ideally linking a fundamental biological question with new technological approaches. We welcome applications from all areas of the life sciences, but especially those in tissue-scale and developmental biology, chromatin, RNA and chromosome biology, and synthetic/computational methods (including AI/ML) that will address complex biological questions from a mechanistic angle.

Together with IMP, GMI, AITHYRA, UBB and IMBA, the Perutz is part of the Vienna BioCenter, one of Europe’s premier research hubs, home to over 2,000 scientists from 80+ Nations and more than 30 biotech companies. The Vienna BioCenter fosters a highly collaborative environment, providing ample opportunities for interdisciplinary research. As a joint venture of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, the Perutz facilitates cooperation with a wide range of faculties, including physics, mathematics, computational sciences, and medical sciences, broadening the scope of your research.

The Perutz provides subsidized access to top-tier core facilities, including biooptics, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, next-generation sequencing, high-performance computing and SOPF grade mouse house. The successful candidate will receive a well-endowed start-up package covering positions, consumables, and infrastructure investment. The Perutz participates in prestigious programs, including the Vienna BioCenter PhD program, the EU-funded VIP3 postdoctoral program, and the Vienna BioCenter Summer School. The Perutz offers Max Perutz PhD Fellowships for exceptional doctoral candidates.

The working language at the Vienna BioCenter is English, and the environment is supportive and family-friendly, with subsidized on-site childcare for faculty and staff. Located in Vienna, repeatedly ranked as the most livable city globally, scientists at the Perutz enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, world-class music, and abundant nature. Vienna offers affordable living, excellent public services, and easy access to stunning landscapes and top destinations across Austria and Europe.

Your academic profile:

• Doctoral degree/PhD
• Two years of international research experience during or after doctoral studies
• Outstanding research achievements, excellent publication and funding record, international reputation
• Gender and diversity competence
• Experience in designing of and participating in research projects, ability to lead research groups and acquire third-party funding
• Enthusiasm for excellent teaching and supervision at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level

We offer:

• the opportunity to obtain a permanent position and eventual promotion to full professor; the initial contract as Assistant Professor is limited to six years, after positive evaluation of a qualification agreement the contract becomes permanent as Associate Professor; Associate Professors can be promoted to Full Professor through an internal competitive procedure
• a dynamic research environment
• a wide range of research and teaching support services
• attractive working conditions in a city with a high quality of life
• an attractive salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff (level A2) and an organisational retirement plan

Application documents:
Please submit your application through the provided link “Apply now” below.

1. Letter of motivation
2. Academic curriculum vitae
   • education and training (PhD Certificate, PDF)
   • positions held to date
   • career breaks (e.g. relevant parental, family or other care periods)
   • awards and honors
   • commissions of trust
   • previous and current cooperation partners
   • complete list of acquired third-party funding and, if applicable, of inventions/patents
   • list of most important scientific talks (max. 10)
   • teaching and mentoring
   • supervision experience (Master and PhD), if applicable
3. List of publications
   • link to your own publicly accessible ORCID record, with a complete and current publication list
   • three key publications as electronic full text version (PDF, max 30 MB)
4. Research statement
   • most important research achievements (max. 2 pages) and planned future research activities (max. 4 pages)
   • synopsis of three key publications with relevance to the position advertised
   • publication strategy
5. Teaching and supervision statement
   • teaching and supervision concept, including a description of the previous and planned priorities in academic teaching and supervision (max. 2 pages)
   • teaching evaluations (if available, PDF)

Application submission:
Please submit your application documents via the online submission platform of the University of Vienna linked with the “Apply now” button below or using this link: https://academicjobs.univie.ac.at/datenabfrage/TT0725MPL01 
Only applications submitted through the provided link will be considered.

Questions related to this position can be addressed to the Scientific Director, Alwin Köhler ([email protected]).

The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

Data protection information (University of Vienna)

Reference no.: 4431
Application deadline: 17 September 2025