Centre for Microbiology and Environmental System Science
Join the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) to advance high-impact, interdisciplinary research across microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, and environmental geoscience. CeMESS works together to decode how biotic and abiotic processes shape human health, ecosystems, and the planet.
We seek outstanding postdocs to drive discovery and solutions in:
- Microbiome and Microbe-host interactions
- Microbial Ecology and Ecosystems
- Global change and environmental processes
At CeMESS, you’ll access cutting-edge methods, shared facilities, and strong research networks, with the freedom to pursue bold ideas that link fundamental science to real-world challenges.
Ready to make a difference? Explore openings and apply at CeMESS.
Departments/Research Focus
Thilo Hoffmann
Research Focus
Environmental contamination has become a planetary boundary that humanity is now crossing. Thilo Hofmann’s group explores how emerging contaminants behave in natural systems and seeks pathways towards more sustainable solutions. His research investigates the dynamics, fate, and transformations of both organic and inorganic pollutants, including plastics and nanoparticles, and develops strategies for their remediation. Current projects address “forever chemicals” such as PFAS, plastic pollution including tyre wear particles, plastic additives of concern, the impact of chemicals on the human microbiome, nanoparticles emissions from break-wear, and high-resolution mass spectrometry and transformation processes.
Thilo is also Co-Director of the University of Vienna’s Environment and Climate Research Hub, which brings together over 70 leading experts from the natural sciences, humanities, law, and economics to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges. He is a Highly-Cited Reseracher and has received awards from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation, the Technical University of Berlin, and the German Chemical Society for Water Chemistry. He is Adjunct Professor at Duke University (USA) and Nankai University (China).
Research environment
The Division of Environmental Geosciences (EDGE) investigates key processes controlling the natural environment and anthropogenic impacts. Researchers at EDGE combine field observations with experimental work, linking molecular-scale mechanisms at environmental interfaces with complex large-scale environmental processes using quantitative modelling. At EDGE, we accept the challenges posed by the release of known and emerging pollutants and recognise the need to understand their impacts on soils, ground and surface waters, and human health using process-based and mechanistic research. We run a state of the art laboratory with high-end mass spectrometry and all lab and field facilities.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
The mission of EDGE encompasses (1) scientific excellence, (2) a commitment to teaching and mentorship, (3) stewardship to the environment and community and (4) embracing and valuing diversity – in all domains of life. Our goal as group leaders is to conduct science at the highest level and create an ideal environment for a productive and rewarding start to your future professional life. We want you to leave EDGE with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for a successful career. At EDGE, we appreciate the contributions made by every colleague and aim to maintain an environment that everyone enjoys at both professional and personal levels.We strive for an open and inclusive culture that fosters scientific curiosity, professional creativity, and personal skills.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
PFAS, Biochar, Remediation, Emerging Contaminants, Plastic Pollution, Plastic Additives, Tire Wear Particles, Breake Wear Particles, Environmental Toxicology, Biotransformation, Fate of Contaminants, Environmental Chemistry,
Weblink for further information:
https://edge.univie.ac.at/
Email: thilo.hofmann(at)univie.ac.at
Stephan Kraemer
Research Focus
We are interested in molecular scale chemical and biochemical mechanisms at mineral surfaces that control diverse processes such as pollutant and nutrient biogeochemistry, and bio-mineral interactions. Currently, we focus on soil organic matter preservation (or degradation), DNA preservation on long timescales at mineral surfaces, or chromium mobilization in the environment. We use experiemnts in the lab and in the field, spectroscopy, microscopy and advanced X-ray methods to understand these processes.
Research environment
We are a group of international PhDs and Postdocs enjoying lively and inspiring intellectual exchange and serious examination of the diverse ways nature reveals itself through experimental results. A first-rate infrastructure for spectroscopy, trace metal analytics and mineral characterization, plant and microbial cultivation, as well as labs for experimental work in geochemistry including a clean room laboratory and labs for working under reducing conditions are at our disposal. Our network of international collaborators significantly extends our infrastructural and intellectual playing field.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
We invite you to join our quest to understand nature and to develop your own research ideas in collaboration with the research group. If you enjoy contributing Individual creativity and expertise to rigorous joint discussion, you will find a friendly and enthusiastic group for your development as a scientist. Experiences in applying analytical and spectroscopic methods as well as thermodynamic and kinetic modelling to biogeochemical processes are particularly welcome. The working language of the group is English.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
Examples are:
- Enzymatic processes at mineral surfaces
- DNA preservation at mineral surfaces
- Chemical processes regulating the behaviour of redox-active trace metals soils
Weblink for further information:
https://edge.univie.ac.at/kraemer
Email: stephan.kraemer(at)univie.ac.at
Sarah Pati
Research Focus
My research focuses on understanding and mitigating anthropogenic contamination in aquatic ecosystems. My group investigates the occurrence and transformation of organic contaminants in studies ranging from field-scale assessments to elucidating molecular-level reaction mechanisms. Current projects explore photochemical and enzymatic transformation processes using high-resolution mass spectrometry and compound-specific stable isotope analysis. Key areas include oxygenase-mediated biotransformation in microbial communities, photochemical contaminant degradation and O₂ dynamics in sunlit waters, and advancing isotope-based methods for tracing sources and transformation mechanisms of organic contaminants.
Research environment
Our group is part of the Division of Environmental Geosciences at the University of Vienna’s Centre for Microbiology and Environmental System Science—a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment linking microbiology, ecology, and geoscience. State-of-the-art infrastructure includes the SILVER Stable Isotope Facility, Austria’s largest and one of Europe’s leading labs for isotope analysis of light elements, enabling source tracing and process elucidation. Additionally, the Environmental Mass Spectrometry Facility provides cutting-edge high-resolution mass spectrometry for non-target analytics, contaminant transformation studies, and ultra-trace detection. Together, these resources foster innovative research and strong collaborations across faculties and international partners.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
Postdoctoral researchers are expected to bring strong expertise in environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, or related fields, combined with curiosity and independence. An interest in developing stable isotope methods for organic contaminants is preferred, however, other innovative projects ideas in the area of organic contaminant transformation processes are also welcome. Strong skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing as well as commitment to high-quality research are essential. Postdocs are expected to engage with team members, share knowledge, and foster interdisciplinary links within EDGE, CeMESS, and beyond.
Weblink for further information:
https://edge.univie.ac.at/pati
Email: sarah.pati(at)univie.ac.at
Barbara Bayer
Research Focus
Oceans and lakes are home to a plethora of different microorganisms which drive biogeochemical cycles on our planet. The host group's research focusses on the interactions between aquatic microorganisms and their environment, and on understanding the environmental regulation of microbial processes (with a particular focus on carbon and nitrogen cycling). We combine diverse isotope approaches, cultivation, and multi-omics techniques to quantify biogeochemical processes and identify novel microorganisms and metabolic pathways.
Research environment
We are a small, friendly and collaborative research group with a passion for aquatic ecosystems. The research group is fully embedded in the Division of Microbial Ecology (https://dome.univie.ac.at) at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (https://cemess.univie.ac.at), offering a highly international research environment with shared laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities (https://cemess.univie.ac.at/research/facilities/). As a group focussed on aquatic ecosystems, we also have equipment for and access to marine and freshwater sampling (through various collaborations).
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I am looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and collaborative scientists with a passion for microbial ecology and/or biogeochemistry of aquatic ecosystems. I expect postodoctoral candidates to develop their independent research ideas while contributing to the group’s shared research goals.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
I welcome applications across the fields of aquatic microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, microbial oceanography, bioinformatics, and/or microbial cultivation.
Current projects in my group include microbial methane and nitrogen cycling, microbial responses to eutrophication and anoxia, and dark carbon fixation in oceans and lakes.
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/bayer
Email: barbara.bayer(at)univie.ac.at
David Berry
Research Focus
My research focuses on the function of the human microbiota in health and disease. I have a particular interest in nutrition, inflammation, bacterial-mucosal interactions, cancer, and neurodevelopment. In addition to studying the ecology and evolution of key species in the microbiota, we develop molecular and isotope-labelling approaches for studying uncultivated microorganisms in their natural environment.
Recent projects have included identifying key nutrient niches in the gut microbiota using activity-based cell sorting, elucidating of bacterial proteases responsible for host nerve cell signalling in the skin microbiota, exploring microbiota-mycotoxin interactions in the gut, and investigating the development of the gut microbiota and the gut-immune-brain axis in extremely preterm infants.
Research environment
The research group includes postdocs, technicians, and PhD and master’s students. The group is friendly, international, and collaborative, and is embedded in the open research culture of the Division of Microbial Ecology. Labs are fully equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure for molecular biology, anaerobic microbiology, and fluorescence and chemical imaging. Additionally, sequencing is available via the Joint Microbiome Facility and computational infrastructure is accessible via the Life Science Compute Cluster. An interdisciplinary research network – both national and international – is existing that includes expertise in chemistry, medicine, mathematical modeling, and metabolomics.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
The fellow is expected to develop and conduct a cutting-edge scientific research project in the field of human microbiome research. The fellow should disseminate research findings at international scientific conferences as well as in peer-reviewed publications.
Additionally, the fellow should be prepared to interact with and contribute to the research and teaching culture in the group as well as at the institute. The development of the research project as well as career development and mentoring will be supported the host and the host institution.
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/berry/
Email: david.berry(at)univie.ac.at
Holger Daims
Research Focus
Our research addresses nitrifying microorganisms that drive key steps of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle across most ecosystems. Nitrifiers are indispensable in wastewater treatment, yet they also contribute to nitrogen fertilizer losses from arable soils, promoting eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions. We investigate their ecophysiology, diversity, and evolution using a blend of molecular and chemical imaging techniques with cultivation-based approaches. A special focus is on interactions among nitrifiers and with other organisms, including metabolite exchange and competition in model communities and complex microbiomes.
Another long-standing interest targets the links of microbial community composition and spatial architecture with population functions and interactions. We apply confocal and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, in-house developed image analysis tools, chemical imaging, and 'omics' to study complex samples like biofilms from diverse systems.
Research environment
My research team is part of the Division of Microbial Ecology (https://dome.univie.ac.at), which promotes a strong culture of sharing laboratories and research infrastructure, including unrestricted access to high-end instruments and analytical platforms. Within our Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (https://cemess.univie.ac.at), 23 research groups investigate environmentally and medically relevant microbiomes, together forming an internationally recognized hub for microbiology research.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I am seeking a talented, highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who thrives in a team environment and is enthusiastic about microbial physiology and biochemistry, microbial interactions, and/or developing methods for single-cell microbiology or imaging.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
- Ecophysiology and biochemistry of nitrifying microorganisms
- Microbial interactions and interaction networks in complex communities
- Fluorescence labeling and imaging techniques for microbiome research
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/daims
Email: holger.daims(at)univie.ac.at
Matthias Horn
Research Focus
Our research focuses on bacteria infecting and residing within eukaryotic cells. Using an array of molecular and computational methods, we discover novel intracellular microbes and decipher the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary processes underlying these associations.
Bacteria living within eukaryotic host cells comprise important pathogens as well as symbionts of humans, animals, and protists. Yet, intracellular microbes have long been underestimated with respect to their diversity, distribution in nature, and their ecological importance.
To address this knowledge gap, we investigate selected non-model organisms, including symbionts of amoeba, arthropods, and cnidarians, as well as viruses infecting protists. Current studies include the search for novel giant viruses, the effects of co-infections with multiple intracellular microbes, genome evolution under the constraints of the intracellular life style, and evolution experiments to better understand the evolution of microbe-host interactions.
Research environment
The E-STEEM position would be fully embedded in the highly international and vibrant research environment, including cutting edge laboratory and computational facilities, at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) and the Division of Microbial Ecology (DoME). See here for more details about us and our research: https://dome.univie.ac.at/
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
An project idea with an exciting and relevant research question, scientific creativity and independence, and passion and dedication to the research project, the group, and the research environment.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
Microbial symbiosis
Host-microbe interactions
Microbial genome evolution
Giant viruses
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/horn
Email: matthias.horn(at)univie.ac.at
Christina Kaiser
Research Focus
Soil microbes govern the largest flux of carbon from land to atmosphere by respiring plant-derived C as CO₂. They also transform part of it into residues that stabilize in the soil matrix. This has led to vast soil C stocks, which remain vulnerable to climate change. My group investigates mechanisms controlling microbial turnover and C stabilization, which unfold at microscopic scales in heterogeneous soil microenvironments. We focus on the interplay between soil microbial ecology, biogeochemistry and complex systems science, using experimental research, field work and theoretical modelling.
We also study rhizosphere interactions and functional aspects of the mycorrhizal symbiosis. We combine stable isotope techniques with chemical imaging to trace carbon and nitrogen through the plant-soil system, and to visualise elemental exchange at the plant-microbe interface. This allows deeper insights into plant-microbe interactions and their consequences for ecosystem C and N cycling.
Research environment
The postdoctoral researcher will be integrated in the Research Group of Christina Kaiser at TER, the Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research (https://ter.univie.ac.at/) at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (https://cemess.univie.ac.at/). We are a committed team and offer a creative working atmosphere in an international scientific and interdisciplinary environment, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and flexible working hours.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I am looking for a talented, highly motivated postdoctoral scientist who is excited about soil microbial ecology, ecological theory and/or plant-soil microbe interactions. I welcome applications from candidates with an experimental or a theoretical (ecological modelling, complexity science) background, and also from those who are curious to cross borders between experimental work and modelling.
Weblink for further information:
https://ter.univie.ac.at/kaiser
Email: christina.kaiser(at)univie.ac.at
Alexander Loy
Research Focus
Alexander Loy’s research covers a diverse spectrum of topics in microbial ecology and symbiosis, from the role of intestinal microbiota in health and disease, to the ecology and evolution of sulfur-compounds-utilising microorganisms. He has long-standing expertise in developing and applying stable isotope-labelling and molecular biology methods for in situ analysis of complex host-associated and environmental microbiota.
Alexander’s group explores how physiological interactions among microbiome members impacts their environment or host. This includes how environmental microbes impact sulfur, iron, and carbon cycling, as well as how symbionts and pathogens affect the health and nutrition of their hosts. This knowledge could ultimately translate to development of microbiome-based health interventions. Their current projects focus on microbial sulfur metabolism in soils, marine sediments, and the intestinal tract of humans and animals, impact of emerging pollutants on human and environmental microbiomes, as well as the bioprospecting for new secondary metabolites, such as antimicrobials.
Research environment
The research group is embedded in the Division of Microbial Ecology https://dome.univie.ac.at that has a sharing philosophy regarding use of laboratories and research infrastructure, including full access to high-end instruments and analytics.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
It is expected that the postdoc produces high-quality, independent work while also advancing the group's goals and contributing to the team spirit of the group. The postdoc designs and conducts experiments or studies, analyzes data rigorously, publishes in strong journals, and presents at conferences. It is expected that the postdoc stays current with the field, mentors students, and collaborates actively within and beyond the group. The postdoc writes grant proposals and contributes to the management of their projects. The key mentoring goal is that the postdoc increases their independence, develops original research directions, builds a strong publication record, and prepares for the next career stage.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
Function/ecophysiology of microorganisms in complex microbiomes (e.g. in the intestinal tract, marine sediments, wetlands)
Microbial sulfur cycling (e.g. coupling with iron cycling)
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/loy/
Email: alexander.loy(at)univie.ac.at
Jillian Peterson
Research Focus
Animals and plants evolved in a “sea” of microbes. It is therefore not surprising that the vast majority have evolved to rely on microbes for aspects of their health, development, nutrition, and productivity. The host group contributes to this rapidly expanding research field. Their work focuses on beneficial interactions between marine invertebrate animals and their sulfur-oxidising bacterial symbionts, as well as marine and terrestrial plant-microbe interactions. The goal is to understand how the symbiotic partners establish and maintain their intimate relationship from generation to generation, and how these associations evolved in such diverse and widespread habitats, from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to shallow water seagrass beds. We are a dynamic and international group that uses the full suite of methods for understanding diversity and function of uncultured microbes in natural habitats, including high-throughput sequencing, single-cell imaging, and isotope tracing, among many others. We also like to have fun together on our group outings, retreats, and field trips. The mentor has received an ERC Starting Grant in 2018, an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2023, is a Board Member for the FWF, and Editor-in-Chief of the ISME Journal, among other achievements. She has mentored 10 postdocs and 14 PhD students.
Research environment
The postdoc would have full access to the extensive high-tech laboratory infrastructure at our faculty, the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Sciences, which ranges from high-resolution microscopy to high-performance computing (For more information see https://cemess.univie.ac.at/research/facilities/). As a group focused on marine host-microbe symbioses, we also have access to a large shared saltwater aquarium facility hosted in our building. The host will facilitate further collaborations as needed within their networks in Vienna and worldwide, including at several marine field stations. Funds to cover research and travel expenses are available in the host group.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I expect the postdoctoral candidate to bring their enthusiasm, engagement and creativity to this position. An interest in developing leadership skills and experience in e.g., mentoring other early-career scientists in the group, would be a bonus. For more information about my leadership philosophy, please don't hesitate to contact me for a copy of my lab guide.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
The lab has broad interests in the field of marine host-microbe interactions in diverse host animals and plants. Whether you are interested in understanding molecular host-microbe interactions, or in the evolution of these or their ecological significance and effects of climate change, you will feel welcome in the team. We have current projects running on host-microbe symbioses in marine lucinid clams and in seagrasses and macroalgae, and I am happy to discuss possible projects in these 'classic' experimental models, or in others of your choice.
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/petersen/
Email: jillian.petersen(at)univie.ac.at
Shaul Pollak Pasternak
Research Focus
We combine experiments, theory, and computation to answer fundamental questions across time and length scales. To understand genetic variation we must understand the ecological reality of bacteria and how microbiomes function.
Our overall aim is to gain a mechanistic understanding of bacterial genetic variation that will allow us to identify conserved genotype-phenotype relationships, eventually using these in large scale ecological models to simplify the representation of bacterial communities without losing the required detail for accurate and insightful predictions.
Our lab has 2 main current focus points:
(1) carbon cycling in soils: where we try to understand how interactions between groups of bacteria with different metabolic functions shape carbon turnover rates, and how we can predict this from metagenomes.
(2) plant bacteria interactions: where we focus on the Variovorax genus and its complex interactions with plants, fungi, oomycetes, and other bacteria on plant roots.
Research environment
We are a medium-sized lab of ~8 people working closely together in a very collaborative and open environment.
Our department is very well equipped with research infrastructure, including multiple fluorescent microscopes, flow cytometry, nanoSIMS, and basic microbiology equipment. Additionally, we have access to broad computational resources required for large-scale data analysis and machine-learning approaches.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
The candidate is expected to develop and lead their own line of independent research
Weblink for further information:
https://envsysmicro.at
Email: shaul.pollak.pasternak(at)univie.ac.at
Martin Polz
Research Focus
The Polz group is broadly interested in structure-function relationships within microbial communities. How do gene flow, environmental interactions, and selection structure populations? How does viral predation drive the ecology and evolution of microbes? How fast do microbes grow in environmental samples?
The group addresses these questions by a combination of in situ molecular approaches, environmental genomics, traditional physiological and genetic techniques, and modelling. They study patterns of diversity among co-occurring microbes from the level of the entire community to the individual genome and gene. Their model systems include marine microbes as well as animal microbiomes. Their latest projects focus on microbe-virus interactions and on growth dynamics under environmental conditions.
Research environment
The Polz group is located within the Department of Microbial Ecology in the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, one of the leading research institutions for microbial ecology and evolution. State of the art equipment and techniques are available as well as technical support.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
We seek someone highly motivated and intelligent with a passion for science. The exact training and background is less important than the willingness to explore new areas of microbial ecology and evolution.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
Computational approaches to microbial genomics, experimental and theoretical studies in virus-host interactions, genetics of interactions are all within the potential interest spheres.
Weblink for further information:
https://dome.univie.ac.at/polz/
Email: martin.f.polz(at)univie.ac.at
Michael Wagner
Research Focus
We are particularly interested in bacteria and archaea involved in nitrification, which is an essential step in the global biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. Nitrification leads to fertilizer loss in agriculture, eutrophication, and greenhouse gas emission, but on the other hand is essential for efficient wastewater treatment. The research conducted by my team focuses on the ecology, physiology and evolution of nitrifying microorganisms. We also have a strong and long-standing interest in the symbiotic relationships between nitrifying bacteria and marine sponges.
Another major area of our research involves investigating the interaction network between the human gut microbiome and Parkinson's drugs. Using cutting-edge single-cell chemical imaging methods such as NanoSIMS and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy, we investigate the effect of these widely used pharmaceuticals on the gut microbiome in situ.
Recently, we have also started exploring conspicuous members of the Candidate Phyla Radiation, also known as Patescibacteria, in wastewater treatment plants, with a focus on host identification and the exploration of interaction mechanisms.
Research environment
My research group belongs to the Division of Microbial Ecology https://dome.univie.ac.at that has a strong sharing philosophy regarding use of laboratories and research infrastructure, including full access to high-end instruments and analytics. In our Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (https://cemess.univie.ac.at/) 23 research groups are exploring environmentally and medically relevant microbiomes and represent an internationally well-recognized research hub in microbiology that is also coordinating the FWF Cluster of Excellence "Microbiomes drive Planetary Health“ (www.microplanet.at).
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I am looking for a talented, highly motivated postdoctoral scientist who is a team-player and excited about microbial physiology and biochemistry, microbial interactions or method development for single cell microbiology.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
- Physiology and biochemistry of nitrifying microorganisms
- Ecophysiology of microbial symbionts of sponges
- Interactions of Patescibacteria with host microbes in wastewater treatment plants
- Chemical imaging of functional traits of microbiome members
Weblink for further information:
n/a
Email: michael.wagner(at)univie.ac.at
Wolfgang Wanek
Research Focus
Wolfgang Wanek’s group focuses on the linkage between plant and microbial functioning and terrestrial ecosystem processes. He has long-standing expertise in applying stable isotopes to unravel the role of plants and soil microbes and their interaction in controlling ecosystem processes, from the local to the continental scale. Research in Wolfgang’s group centres on the biogeochemistry of croplands, grasslands and forests in tropical and temperate biomes, with a focus on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (sulfur) cycling in the soil-plant-microbe system. Applying ecophysiological, metabolomics and isotope methods, as well as physicochemical characterization of the respective environments, his group seeks to understand biological and abiotic biogeochemical process controls, how ecosystems respond to current and future global change, and how this feeds back on the functioning of ecosystems. His group has pioneered the development of an array of stable isotope-based methods to enable the quantification of gross element cycling processes that previously could not be measured.
Research environment
The group is composed of 8-10 PhD students and 1-2 Postdocs working at the highest level on the outlined topics. We have direct access to stable isotope and radioisotope measurement facilities, and all kind of normal and innovative wet chemistry, spectrophotometric, chromatographic and mass spectrometric instruments, and in cooperation with the sister division can do all kind microbial and molecular biological work. We care therefore working in a highly cooperative environment, interacting across many different fields and also bringing in our expertise into other projects.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I expect the Postdoc to bring new expertise to the group and to work on related topics, being open minded, critical and creative, and driven by curiosity. I expect the Postdoc to work in and for the team but also independent, to like share the findings and publish the outcomes of these studies
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
Controls of abiotic, plant and soil microbial processes driving major biogeochemical cycles
Effects of global change (land use, climate change, atmospheric change) on the drivers and hence on the processes
Weblink for further information:
https://ter.univie.ac.at/wanek/
Email: wolfgang.wanek(at)univie.ac.at
Anouk Willemsen
Research Focus
Our research broadly focuses on virus evolution, genome evolution, and phylogenetics. We pay special attention to virus-host co-evolution, the evolution and origin of specific genes, and phenotypic consequences of genotypic novelty.
Research environment
Currently, we are a small research group of 2 PhD students, 2 Postdocs, 1 Technician and 1 PI. We hold bi-weekly group meetings and bi-weekly individual meetings, and are always open to collaborate with other groups. The centre is well equipped with a wide range of equipment that will suit most research projects.
Expectations towards postdoctoral fellows in this programme
I expect the postdoctoral fellow to become an active member of the research group by attending our group meetings and by interacting with and helping other group members advance their projects. I also expect the postdoctoral fellow to develop their project and write their papers independently, with my guidance as needed. I expect the postdoctoral fellow to be prepared for meetings and to explain and present their work in an organised and understandable manner. I also expect the postdoctoral fellow to take responsibility for their own planning and administration.
Possible research themes or topics for postdoctoral projects
virus evolution, genomics, experimental evolution, virus-host interactions, bioinformatics, phylogenetics
Weblink for further information:
https://veelab.univie.ac.at/
Email: anouk.willemsen(at)univie.ac.at
Login to the Application Tool