Tenure-Track Professorship in Genome Biology

The position:

The Max Perutz Labs, one of Europe’s leading institutes for basic research in the life sciences, invite 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 analyse and reconstitute complex biological systems across different scales.

We are particularly interested in researchers investigating the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying genome function and regulation. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Chromatin and chromosome architecture and their mechanistic roles in gene regulation
• RNA processing, modification, localisation, and decay
• Genome stability and repair pathways
• Mechanisms of transcriptional control and RNA–protein assembly
• Functional, comparative, and synthetic genomics approached from a mechanistic angle
• Quantitative and integrative methods combining high-resolution imaging, functional genomics, single-molecule biophysics, and computational modelling

Candidates should have a proven track record in biology, biophysics, or computational science. Your research proposal should be original and innovative, linking a fundamental question in genome biology to experimental and/or computational approaches that uncover underlying mechanisms.

Together with IMP, GMI, IMBA, AITHYRA and UBB, the Max Perutz Labs are part of the Vienna BioCenter, one of Europe’s premier research hubs, home to over 2,000 scientists from more than 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 Max Perutz Labs facilitate cooperation with a wide range of faculties, including physics, mathematics, computational sciences, and medical sciences, broadening the scope of your research.

The Max Perutz Labs provide subsidized access to top-tier core facilities, including biooptics, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, next-generation sequencing, and high-performance computing. The successful candidate will receive a well-endowed start-up package covering positions, consumables, and infrastructure investment. The Max Perutz Labs participate in prestigious programmes, including the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme, the EU-funded VIP³ Postdoctoral Programme, and the Vienna BioCenter Summer School, and offer 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 subsidised on-site childcare for faculty and staff. Located in Vienna, repeatedly ranked as the most liveable city globally, scientists at the Max Perutz Labs 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 (in English):

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 via the online submission platform of the University of Vienna, which is linked with the “Apply now” button below, or using this link: https://academicjobs.univie.ac.at/datenabfrage/TT1025MPL01

Only applications submitted through the provided link, see above, can be considered.

The original job advertisement by the University of Vienna can be found here.

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.

Data protection information

Questions related to this position can be addressed to the Scientific Director, Alwin Köhler (ScientificDirectorOffice@maxperutzlabs.ac.at).

Reference no.: 4903
Application deadline: 10 December 2025