91 Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science
Startdate: 01.01.2025 | Working hours: 30 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited until: 30.06.2026
Reference no.: 3348

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!

Your personal sphere of influence:

The Department of Environmental Geosciences (EDGE) 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.

In this project we will investigate the transformation of emerging pollutants, such as tire additives, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products, by oxygenase enzymes in various microbiomes. Oxygenase enzymes play a crucial role in degrading pollutants in the environment by transforming a wide range of compounds into more polar and bioavailable products. However, under certain conditions, these enzymes exhibit poor efficiency in oxygen utilization, leading to the unintended production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The PhD candidate in this project will perform exposure experiments with emerging pollutants and microbial communities from soil, freshwater, wastewater, and the human lung. In addition, methods will be developed to identify transformation products and quantify ROS. The outcomes of these experiments will determine whether a negative impact of (emerging) pollutants on environmental and human microbiomes can arise not only from the toxicity of the pollutants and their transformation products but also from ROS production by oxygenase enzymes.

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.

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:

• Performing transformation experiments and developing analytical methods
• 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 Environmental Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related fields
• Laboratory experience, especially with LC-MS method development
• 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 3.578,80 (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!

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 Diploma if available

If you have any questions, please contact:

Stella Maria Spanlang

environment@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: 12/15/2024

Prae Doc