Two Postdoctoral Positions – Nuclear Envelope as an Intelligent Boundary

Köhler Lab, Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter

Rethinking cellular boundaries
Cellular boundaries are not passive—they are interfaces that convert spatial separation into function. Membranes, nuclear pores, and phase boundaries establish localized environments that concentrate activity, enhance specificity, and scaffold complex regulation. These interfaces don’t just divide—they integrate: shaping interactions and encoding control in space and time.

The nuclear envelope exemplifies this principle. Far from a static shell, it is an intelligent boundary—an adaptive interface, not in a cognitive sense, but in its capacity to integrate genome organization, lipid metabolism, transport, and translation across nuclear and cytoplasmic domains.

The Köhler Lab invites applications for two fully funded postdoctoral positions in nuclear envelope biology and cellular stress resilience. These roles offer a unique opportunity to pursue ambitious, long-term research in a rigorous, idea-driven environment at one of Europe’s leading life science hubs.

Both positions may transition into permanent research appointments, depending on scientific vision and contribution. The position offers a minimal annual salary of € 69,000 and is adjustable based on research experience.

Research Focus
Our work centers on the nuclear envelope—a hallmark of eukaryotic evolution that integrates mechanical resilience, selective transport, lipid metabolism, and gene regulation. We investigate:

• Lipid metabolism of the nuclear envelope
• Nuclear pore complex architecture
• Chromatin-associated signaling pathways

As one of our model systems, we use tardigrades—the toughest animals on Earth. Tardigrades’ resilience to desiccation, radiation, and temperature offers a unique opportunity to explore the limits at which cellular boundaries can operate.

Our approach
We combine biochemical reconstitution, live-cell imaging, multi-scale structural biology, and omics technologies to uncover how the nuclear envelope functions as an intelligent boundary between nuclear and cytoplasmic domains—even under extreme stress.

Recent Contributions

• Lipid metabolism at the inner nuclear membrane shapes nuclear architecture
  Romanauska & Köhler, Cell 2018
  
• Phase-separated chromatin compartments for ubiquitin signaling
  Gallego et al., Nature 2020
  
• Reconstitution of the nuclear pore basket on synthetic membranes
  Stankunas & Köhler, Nature Cell Biol. 2024
  
• Engineering nuclear envelope geometries to probe lipid chemistry-function relationships
  Romanauska & Köhler, Nature Cell Biol. 2023

What We Offer

• Two fully funded, full-time postdoctoral positions
• Possibility of transitioning to a permanent research role
• Freedom to develop independent ideas within a clear and ambitious research program
• Strong institutional and grant support
• Access to advanced technologies: cryo-EM, imaging, proteomics, and other core facilities
• A collaborative, conceptually driven lab culture

Candidate Profile
We are looking for researchers with:

• A PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field
• Interest in membrane biology, chromatin regulation, stress resilience, or non-model organisms
• Experience in biochemical reconstitution, imaging, or omics-based approaches
• Intellectual curiosity, precision, and the motivation to contribute lasting insights to fundamental biology

Scientific Environment
The Max Perutz Labs (https://www.maxperutzlabs.ac.at) are part of the Vienna BioCenter (https://www.viennabiocenter.org), a major European life science campus with over 50 research groups and world-class infrastructure.

Located in Vienna—a city known for its exceptional quality of life—we benefit from robust funding and a vibrant international scientific community. English is the working language across the campus.

How to Apply
Please send your CV, a statement of research interest, and contact information for two referees to: alwin.koehler@maxperutzlabs.ac.at
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Early applications are encouraged.
Lab website: https://www.maxperutzlabs.ac.at/research/research-groups/koehler