91 Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science
Startdate: 01.09.2024 | Working hours: 3 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited until: permanent
Reference no.: 2852

Among the many good reasons to want 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 their continuous striving and curiosity in order to be able to be scientifically successful. Does that sound like something for you? Welcome to our team!

Description of the position:

The Division of Microbial Ecology (DOME) within the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science is offering an exciting opportunity for a University Assistant PraeDoc to obtain a PhD degree. We are a highly motivated international group carrying out research in environmental science and related fields. Our infrastructure provides a broad spectrum of possibilities to realize interdisciplinary research ideas. We are looking for two PhD students to work on projects that will bring us closer to identifying unifying themes driving microbiome variability, function, and evolution:

Coarse-grained ecological metabolic theory 

Microbial metabolism drives the transformation of matter in large quantities and fluxes in virtually all ecosystems on earth. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a theory that unites ecosystems through the lens of microbial metabolism and provides a quantitative and testable framework to analyze patterns in species and metabolite abundances across the different work packages of the Cluster of Excellence. The internal metabolism of each microbe is made up of thousands of co-dependent reactions that are far from equilibrium and change with time and depend on the environment, which can also change in small time and length-scales. A detailed description of all metabolic transformations in a microbial community composed of billions of individuals from thousands of species is unfeasible, and a new paradigm is needed. Recent works that used simplified representations of bacterial physiology identified fundamental tradeoffs that arise from cellular resource investment into energy production, biomass generation, and maintenance at the individual level. This provides a fertile ground to incorporate coarse-grained physiology into an ecological framework considering the co-habitation of other metabolic strategies, microbe-microbe interactions, different and varying environmental conditions such as stoichiometry of nutrients and energy availability, and so on. This will build on the rich community and ecosystem ecological theory literature, the metabolic theory of ecology, network and complexity science, as well as statistical physics and thermodynamics. Candidates with strong theoretical backgrounds and experience in modeling complex biological systems using tools from statistical physics are encouraged to apply.

Your future tasks:

We expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within 12-18 months and to participate in research, teaching, and administration throughout the employment, specifically:

• Participation in research projects as part of the Cluster of Excellence synthesis module
• Publishing/presenting research in international top journals/conferences 
• Teaching as defined by the collective agreement
• Supervision of students
• Developing an independent research profile

This is part of your personality:

• M.Sc. Degree in a relevant field (Physics/Computer Science/Mathematics/Ecology)
• Advanced knowledge in Machine-Learning / analysis of complex systems using tools from statistical physics
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a diverse and international team 
• Curious, independent, proactive, and motivated personality

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible, family-friendly working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work (upon agreement).

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 3578,80 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

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

The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

It is that easy to apply:

Please submit the following documents in ONE PDF with your application through our job portal ("Apply now" button):

• Letter of motivation 
• Academic curriculum vitae 
• Master Degree / Diploma

If you have any questions, please contact:

Shaul Pollak Pasternak  

shaul.pollak.pasternak@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 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.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

Data protection

​Application deadline: 08/09/2024 

Prae Doc