Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution

Supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Pere Gelabert Xirinachs, PhD

Duration of Contract: 3 years

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
This PhD project investigates the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of extinct and extant felids across Eurasia during the Late Pleistocene (50–10 kya) using ancient metagenomic DNA and modern genomic datasets. By applying diversity-aware, multi-reference and pangenomic mapping approaches, the project aims to uncover previously hidden population structure, admixture, and genomic decline preceding extinction events. The research will provide deep-time baselines for understanding resilience and extinction processes in large carnivores and inform conservation strategies for endangered felid species.

Work environment:

The PhD position will be supervised by Dr. Pere Gelabert at the University of Vienna and embedded within the BEAM lab (https://beamlabwien.univie.ac.at/), an interdisciplinary research group focusing on human evolution, human–animal interactions, ancient genomics, and microbiome research. The project is closely integrated with the ERC Starting Grant SHADOWS, offering access to cutting-edge ancient DNA facilities and an extensive international research network. The candidate will be co-supervised by Dr.  Martin Kuhlwilm (https://admixture.univie.ac.at/) 

Your Tasks:

The successful candidate will:

• Process and analyse ancient and modern felid genomic and metagenomic datasets using high-throughput sequencing data.
• Develop and apply multi-reference and pangenomic mapping pipelines optimized for ancient DNA.
• Perform population genomic analyses (e.g. f-statistics, D-statistics, qpGraph) to investigate population structure and admixture.
• Reconstruct temporal and spatial patterns of genomic diversity and demographic change in felid populations.
• Integrate genetic results with zooarchaeological and paleoecological data.
• Present results at international conferences and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Your Profile: 

Essential qualifications:

• Master’s degree in evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, genetics, archaeogenetics, or a related field.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing data analysis.
• Basic programming skills in R, Python, and/or bash.
• Familiarity with Linux or high-performance computing environments.
• Strong motivation and ability to work independently within a collaborative research team.

Desirable qualifications:

• Prior experience with ancient DNA or metagenomic datasets.
• Knowledge of population genetics or phylogenomics.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research combining genetics, archaeology, and paleoecology.
• Experience with statistical genomics or graph-based methods.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: pere.gelabert(at)univie.ac.at 

Supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Loos

Duration of Contract: 3 years

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
This PhD project investigates the biodiversity of urban wilderness areas in Vienna, with a focus on ecological patterns, species diversity, and habitat dynamics. Using multi-taxon surveys and spatial analyses, it examines how successional stage, habitat structure, and landscape connectivity shape urban biodiversity. The project also incorporates interdisciplinary approaches, linking ecological findings with human perceptions and urban planning considerations. Results will fill key knowledge gaps and provide evidence to guide urban biodiversity management and nature-based solutions.

Work environment:

The PhD candidate will be embedded in the Justice and Conservation Group led by Ass. Prof. Jacqueline Loos (https://www.justiceandconservation.com/). The group focuses on conservation and restoration science, exploring ways to make ecological management more environmentally just, equitable and inclusive. The team investigates various ecosystems, from protected areas to agricultural mosaics and works on diverse species, from butterflies to elephants, across Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

Your Tasks:

The PhD candidate will: 

• Conduct field-based biodiversity surveys across multiple taxonomic groups (e.g., vascular plants, carabid beetles, terrestrial snails) in urban wilderness sites 

• Collect and analyze environmental and landscape data related to succession, habitat structure, and connectivity 

• Integrate ecological data with interdisciplinary insights, including human perception and urban planning perspectives, in collaboration with the supervisory team 

• Analyze ecological and combined datasets using quantitative and spatial methods 

• Publish results in international peer-reviewed journals (3–4 publications expected) and present findings at conferences 

• Contribute to supervision of Master’s students and coordination of additional taxonomic studies 

• Communicate project outcomes to urban stakeholders, including the city’s responsible magistrates 

Your Profile: 

Essential qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in ecology, environmental sciences, biology, geography, or a closely related discipline 

• Strong interest in urban ecology, sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and social–ecological research 

• Experience with GIS 

• Experience with ecological fieldwork and species identification (plants and/or invertebrates) 

• Solid quantitative skills and experience with statistical analysis (e.g. R or similar software) 

• Very good written and spoken English

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team 

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience with multi-taxon biodiversity surveys in urban or semi-natural systems 

• Familiarity with handling interviews or questionnaires 

• Interest in science–policy interfaces, urban planning, or stakeholder engagement 

• Prior publication experience or strong motivation to publish scientific work and to translate it for non-academic practitioners 

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact:  jacqueline.loos(at)univie.ac.at

Supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Yoko Matsumura, PhD

Duration of Contract: 3 years

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Description:
Elongation of insects’ genitalia represents a noteworthy case for clarifying the nature and evolutionary consequences of constraints. This is because genital elongation has evolved repeatedly, with numerous instances in insects, where species are often reported to possess penises longer than their body length. In pterygote insects, this elongation is especially striking, as a major part of the structure is stored internally and dynamically extended and retracted during copulation, suggesting that the challenges of maneuverability and storability may function as constraints. The research project aims to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a conspicuous novelty that has been acquired independently and to elucidate the evolutionary background that promoted and hindered the acquisition of these independently evolved novelties.

Work environment:

Yoko Matsumura’s group primarily focuses on the functional morphology of insect genitalia in both females and males. The research aims to understand how reproductive organs achieve their functional roles and how variations in form affect their performance, utilizing state-of-the-art research methods, including dissection, histology, CLSM, CT, electron microscopy, and the characterization of physical properties. Ultimately, this approach seeks to link variations in form to performance during reproduction and to uncover the evolutionary mechanisms that drive and maintain the highly diverse genital structures found in animals.

Reproductive interactions between the sexes are categorized into three steps: genital coupling, sperm transfer, and sperm storage for oviposition. By focusing on each of these steps, the group establishes solid foundations for functional morphological studies and accumulates exemplary research addressing these questions.

The group has recently been established and is based in the Department of Evolutionary Biology, where a wide range of evolutionary topics are explored across diverse animal phyla. In addition to morphological approaches, genomic studies are also conducted within the department. The department is known for its friendly and collaborative atmosphere, fostered by numerous joint activities, including a weekly seminar.

Weblinks for further information: ResearchGate profile of Yoko Matsumura (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yoko-Matsumura?ev=hdr_xprf) and the Department of Evolutionary Biology (https://evolution.univie.ac.at/).

Your Tasks:

The PhD candidate will conduct research on the functional and evolutionary morphology of insect genitalia, focusing on representatives from the pterygote superorders. The tasks will include the collection and preparation of material (incl. fixations of the mating pairs), the application of advanced imaging methods, and data analysis. The candidate will interpret morphological results in an evolutionary and functional context and integrate findings with existing literature. The candidate will be responsible for documenting and managing research data and for preparing manuscripts for publication under supervision. The PhD candidate will present results at national and international conferences, participate in doctoral training and skill-development courses. 

In the project, the following steps will be taken. 

1. By utilizing diverse research methods, including dissection, histology, CLSM, CT and electron microscopy, the key morphological features that achieve maneuverability and storability of the hyper-elongated genitalia will be detected. 

2. For each focus group, the evolutionary histories of the elongated genitalia with a special focus on the detected key features will be reconstructed based on a comparative morphological approach. Potentially, it is also possible to include their developmental processes for some representatives. By doing so, we will identify key evolutionary events associated with the acquisition of elongated genitalia by comparison with their sister group, from which no species with elongated genitalia are reported.

Potentially, the third step can also be applied; from a literature survey on insect genitalia, including lineages in which the elongated genitalia have never evolved, such as Palaeoptera, potential evolutionary mechanisms for why the acquisition of the detected key events occurred multiple times in some lineages but not in others will be further discussed. This part may be conducted with collaborators.

Your Profile:

• A master’s (or equivalent) degree in Biology or related discipline.
• A strong interest in insect morphology and learning state-of-the-art research methods.
• Patience and willingness to handle tiny genital structures under stereomicroscopes.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Experience with 3D model reconstructions and dissection of tiny invertebrates is favored.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: yoko.matsumura(at)univie.ac.at 

Supervisor: Assoz. Prof. Dr. Mareike Stahlschmidt, MA

Duration of Contract: 3 years

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
This PhD position entails a multi-disciplinary investigation of subsistence strategies in the Upper Paleolithic of the Caucasus. The candidate will perform zooarchaeological and biomolecular analysis of faunal material from the site of Satsurblia Cave, Georgia, and contextualize their behavioral data within a paleoenvironmental framework governed by the Last Glacial Maximum.

Work environment:

They will join the microarchaeology group by Assoc. Prof Mareike Stahlschmidt microarchaeology.univie.ac.at. The group is focused on the micro-to nanoscale archaeological record and uses variable microscopic and biomolecular tools to investigate human population dynamics, paleoenvironments and fire use across time. The position will be situated in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, and will involve collaborations with the University of Haifa and the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi.

Your Tasks:

The PhD student is expected to participate in and will be trained in archaeological field work, zooarchaeological analysis in museum collections, laboratory FTIR and ZooMS work, and in contextualizing their data with data-sets by other specialists, especially sedaDNA and other geoarchaeological data. They will present their work at conferences, write scientific papers and participate in scientific group, VDSEE DocSchool, departmental and HEAS activities.

Your Profile:

Requirements for this post are a Master’s Degree in Archaeology, Archaeological Sciences, Anthropology or a related field, experience in Paleolithic zooarchaeology and a strong interest in interdisciplinary work at the intersection of zooarchaeology, microarchaeology and biomolecular anthropology. Experience in these subject areas and in Paleolithic Archaeology of the Caucasus are of advantage. Similarly, published papers and English fluency language are desirable as well as knowledge of Georgian or Russian.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: mareike.stahlschmidt(at)univie.ac.at

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr. Stefanie Wienkoop

Duration of Contract: 4 years

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
The major goal of the project is to identify and characterize the function of three selected, high-abundance symbiosome membrane (SM) proteins in the model legume Lotus japonicus. These proteins are located in the SM of root nodules, specialized organs formed during the symbiotic interaction between legumes and Rhizobia symbionts (Mesorhizobium loti), which enable atmospheric nitrogen fixation

Work environment:

The team of Prof. Wienkoop at the University of Vienna invites applications for a 4-year PhD position to join an exciting research project focused on plant-microbe interactions. Please visit also our website (https://mosys.univie.ac.at/team/stefanie-wienkoop/)

The project is conducted in close collaboration with the LTU Melbourne (Penelope Smith Lab) and other leading research groups, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach and excellent networking opportunities. The successful candidate will benefit from a vibrant research environment and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Join us in uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying symbiosis in legumes and contribute to advancing sustainable agriculture!

Your Tasks:

We hypothesize that nodule-enhanced SM proteins are essential for the successful formation and maintenance of root nodules and symbiosis in legumes. This hypothesis is strongly supported by extensive preliminary work and the availability of mutants for functional studies. The project will involve advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, and plant physiology techniques to uncover the roles of these proteins in symbiosis. 

Your Profile:

• A Master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, plant sciences, or a related field.
• Strong interest in plant-microbe interactions and proteomics.
• Experience in laboratory techniques such as genetics, gene expression analysis, protein functional characterization, and/or plant mutant screening is advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in an international team.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: stefanie.wienkoop(at)univie.ac.at 

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Mihaela Pavlicev

Duration of Contract: 4 years, starting date between 15^th April and 15^th May

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
This project aims at understanding the mechanisms of the early part of mammalian gestation, enabling the establishment of a stable fetal-maternal interface. Central among these mechanisms is the transformation of uterine stromal cells into decidual cells. This so-called decidualization is unique to eutherians and is necessary for eutherian implantation and embryo support during a long pregnancy. In this project, we attempt to identify the core of the decidualization process that is shared across eutherian mammals.

Work environment:

Our work in evolutionary biology aims at understanding in what ways the systemic properties of organisms interact with the evolutionary change. The main empirical work in the lab focuses on the evolution of mammalian reproduction and encompasses the origin and modification of processes, cell types, and tissues, in particular those involved at the maternal-fetal interface.  Our work uses experimental, informatic and theoretical approaches. 

Your Tasks:

The student will be trained and work with a range of experimental methods: from mouse breeding and genetics, histology, cell culture, to single-cell omics and bioinformatics.  Please note that the experimental work with live animals (mice) is a crucial part of the study and cannot be avoided.

The main tasks of the project will be to 

1. Use existing transgenic mice to determine reproductive consequences of the known decidualization mutation at the uterine cellular transcriptomic, regulatory, and metabolic level in the mouse
2. Determine to what extent the process in the mouse model reflects the human situation, using human endometrial biopsies and cell culture
3. Test the effects of mutation on mouse gestation in a destabilized KO line
4. Compare the determined shared core decidualization changes to the single-cell transcriptomes of decidualized tissues across eutherians.

Your Profile:

The student must have a master’s degree in biology, preferably with a focus on animal rather than plant biology or microbiology. They must be fluent in spoken and written English, highly motivated, collaborative, and able to work independently. Interest in evolutionary and reproductive biology and experience with metabolomics will be an advantage, as will experience in cell culture work. 

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: mihaela.pavlicev(at)univie.ac.at

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Higham

Duration of Contract: 3 years

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description
The Department of Evolutionary Anthropology (Prof. Tom Higham) is seeking applications for a PhD student in the field of archaeological science and radiocarbon dating, focusing specifically on the period of the Late Middle to early Upper Palaeolithic of Eurasia and its chronology and archaeology (60-30,000 years ago). This is the period when Neanderthals (and Denisovans) are replaced and disappear to extinction while Homo sapiens expand and disperse more widely. 

The candidate will work on two major fronts; first using Palaeoproteomics (ZooMS) to screen non-identifiable bones to identify faunal species and screen them for potential hominin bones, and second on developing and applying improved methodologies for radiocarbon dating of bone and other biominerals by isolating specific amino acids, using material from key Palaeolithic sites. In addition, they will, where appropriate, apply other scientific methods including stable isotope geochemistry and ancient genomics, to answer questions relating to the replacement of Neanderthals and/or Denisovans by anatomically modern humans between 60-30,000 years ago. 

The position would suit someone motivated to undertake cutting-edge research into the complexities of the expansion and extinction of different forms of ancient human and using archaeological science methods to explore this further.

Work environment:

The Higham Lab is based in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Vienna. Tom Higham is Professor of Scientific Archaeology at the University of Vienna. His research focuses on developing and improving the radiocarbon method and its application to archaeology. He has worked in particular on pretreatment chemistry methods to remove contaminants from bone collagen samples, which has included developing several innovative methods now used by other laboratories. He holds an ERC Advanced grant called DISPERSE, which started in 2025 and focuses on the dispersal of modern humans out of Africa and around the Eurasian continent. 

Website: https://highamlab.univie.ac.at/ 

Your Tasks:

This PhD project will comprise archaeological sampling and analysis, coupled with lab work in radiocarbon AMS dating, palaeoproteomics and stable isotope geochemistry. There is a possibility that ancient genomics might also be involved. Training in radiocarbon dating and its application to archaeology, pretreatment chemistry and the Bayesian modeling of radiocarbon dates will be given, but prior experience would be a significant advantage. The candidate would work on material for several archaeological sites that are important in the debate about Neanderthal disappearance. 

Your Profile:

• Essential: MSc-degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (archaeological science, archaeology, chemistry, physics). This requirement needs to be fulfilled until the start of the employment.
• Desirable: Experimental skills in archaeological science or organic chemistry, high motivation and enjoyment of research.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: thomas.higham(at)univie.ac.at

Supervisor: ao. Prof. Mag. Dr. Ingeborg Lang

Duration of Contract: 3 years, from April 2026

Working hours: 30 hours/week Predoc contract, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description
You will experimentally investigate selected bryophytes with life forms in water and on land. Your work includes biochemical, structural and ultrastructural analyses that lead to 3D reconstructions of samples during desiccation scenarios. Research stays in the laboratories of national and international cooperation partners are expected.

Work environment:

Join an ambitious Austrian research consortium investigating how early plants conquered land. Our interdisciplinary team (led by Andreas Holzinger, University of Innsbruck;  Ingeborg Lang, University of Vienna; Notburga Gierlinger, BOKU University; and John Dunlop, University of Salzburg) combines cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to understand structural and mechanical adaptations to water loss in algae and mosses. The four institutions work closely together, each institution offers one PhD position with specific tasks.

This project is located at the University of Vienna, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Vienna 

Your Tasks:

• Perform experiments of realistic desiccation scenarios in bryophytes
• Perform cell wall analysis with different modern approaches (e.g. immunolocalization)
• Apply Light and electron microscopy as well as 3D reconstruction to visualize and localize cell wall modifications
• Collaborate closely with project partners and external cooperation partners

Your Profile:

• MSc in Botany, Ecology or related Biological Sciences.
• Experience with handling small samples, sterile cultures and bryophyte cultivation.
• Strong interest in physiological and microscopical investigations, 3D analysis.
• Curiosity about evolutionary biology and interdisciplinary research.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: ingeborg.lang(at)univie.ac.at

Supervisor: Assoz. Prof. Dr. Andreas Holzinger (Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, LFU)

Duration of Contract: 3 years, from April 2026

Working hours: 30 hours/week Predoc contract, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
Your work will focus on experimentally exploring selected algal strains with different degrees of desiccation tolerance. You will perform biochemical, structural and ultrastructural analysis as well as transcriptomic investigation of control and desiccated samples. Possibilities for research stays in the laboratories of cooperation partners in Germany or Denmark.

Work environment:

Join an ambitious Austrian research consortium investigating how early plants conquered land. Our interdisciplinary team (led by Andreas Holzinger, University of Innsbruck;  Ingeborg Lang, University of Vienna; Notburga Gierlinger, BOKU University; and John Dunlop, University of Salzburg) combines cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to understand structural and mechanical adaptations to water loss in algae and mosses. The four institutions work closely together, each institution offers one PhD position with specific tasks.

This project is located at Leopold Franzens University (LFU) Innsbruck.

Your Tasks:

• Perform experiments to realistic desiccation scenarios in streptophyte green algae
• Perform cell wall analysis with different modern approaches (immunolocalization, CoMPP)
• Transmission electron microscopy and 3D reconstruction to visualize and localize cell wall modifications
• Transcriptomic investigations in stress treated samples
• Collaborate closely with project partners and external cooperation partners

Your Profile: 

• MSc in Botany or related Biological Sciences.
• Experience with cell cultures and algal cultivation.
• Strong interest in physiological, microscopical and transcriptomic investigations.
• Curiosity about evolutionary biology and interdisciplinary research.

If you have any questions, please contact: Andreas.Holzinger(at)uibk.ac.at

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Mag. Dr. Notburga Gierlinger, (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, BOKU Vienna)

Duration of Contract: 3 years, from April 2026

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
You will experimentally investigate selected early settlers (algae and bryophytes) with life forms in water and on land. Your work includes microchemical and nanostructural  (mechanical) analyses before, after and during desiccation scenarios. Research stays in the laboratories of national and international cooperation partners are expected.

Work environment:

Join an ambitious Austrian research consortium investigating how early plants conquered land. Our interdisciplinary team (led by Andreas Holzinger, University of Innsbruck;  Ingeborg Lang, University of Vienna; Notburga Gierlinger, BOKU University; and John Dunlop, University of Salzburg) combines cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to understand structural and mechanical adaptations to water loss in algae and mosses. The four institutions work closely together, each institution offers one PhD position with specific tasks.

This project is located at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, BOKU Vienna

Your Tasks:

• Develop and perform sample preparation and in-situ measurement approaches for Raman, Infrared and Atomic force microscopy with an emphasis on correlative microscopy.
• Perform Raman and Infrared hyperspectral data acquisition of selected species grown under various environmental conditions and during dessication.
• Analyzing hyperspectral data sets with multivariate data analysis approaches to retrieve the microchemistry of cell walls and plant surfaces as well as metabolites within the cell lumen
• Perform Atomic force microscopy analysis as well as electron microscopy analysis to visualize nanostructure and nanomechanics.
• Collaborate closely with project partners and external cooperation partners

Your Profile: 

• MSc in Botany, Physics, Chemistry or related Biological Sciences.
• Strong interest in Microspectroscopy (Raman, Infrared) and Atomic Force Microscopy.
• Experience with handling small samples and Microscopy appreciated
• Curiosity about evolutionary biology and interdisciplinary research.

If you have any questions, please contact: burgi.gierlinger(at)boku.ac.at

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr., John Dunlop BEng. BSc. (Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials)

Duration of Contract: 3 years, from April 2026

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
Your work will focus on developing computational models to predict shape changes and mechanical stresses during desiccation, bridging scales from single cells to multicellular tissues.

Work environment:

Join an ambitious Austrian research consortium investigating how early plants conquered land. Our interdisciplinary team (led by Andreas Holzinger, University of Innsbruck;  Ingeborg Lang, University of Vienna; Notburga Gierlinger, BOKU University; and John Dunlop, University of Salzburg) combines cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to understand structural and mechanical adaptations to water loss in algae and mosses. The four institutions work closely together, each institution offers one PhD position with specific tasks.

This project is located at Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg.

Your Tasks:

• Build and refine biophysical models of desiccation-induced deformation in plant cells and tissues.
• Use finite element methods and scaling analyses to explore how geometry, cell wall properties, and hydration state influence mechanical stability.
• Integrate real-world data from advanced imaging (confocal, light-sheet, serial block-face SEM) and nanomechanical measurements.
• Collaborate closely with experimental partners to validate models and generate new hypotheses.

Your Profile: 

• MSc in Physics, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Mathematics.
• Strong interest in computational modelling and biomechanics.
• Experience with FEM software (COMSOL, Abaqus) or programming (Python, MATLAB).
• Curiosity about evolutionary biology and interdisciplinary research.

If you have any questions, please contact: john.dunlop(at)plus.ac.at

Supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Benjamin Vernot, BS PhD

Duration of Contract: 3 years with possible extension to 4 years. Funded with ERC Consolidator grant UNEARTH

Expected Start: 30.04.2026 or earlier

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
Most ancient DNA is retrieved from bones or teeth - but many sites lack such skeletal elements. Furthermore, bones and teeth are deposited upon death, but an individual sheds DNA throughout their entire life, in principle leaving a trace of their presence where they lived and worked.

You would work in the context of the ERC Consolidator grant UNEARTH, to analyze ancient human DNA taken from prehistoric house floors, alleys and ditches. Projects can also include ancient faunal and environmental DNA, for example from lakes or rivers, to study ecosystem changes as a function of human activity.

New computational methods are necessary to analyze this ancient DNA from sediments, and you will be at the forefront of developing and applying these methods. Methods can include tool and algorithm development, or possibly testing of existing methodology. All methods will be applied to newly generated datasets of ancient environmental DNA. Papers will be both methodological and analysis driven.

Work environment:

Prof. Benjamin Vernot is the head of the Ancient Environmental Genomics group, in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology. Our group studies human history, with a particular focus on ancient DNA extracted from sediments. We have both computational and laboratory focused projects, including projects where we analyze human DNA extracted directly from the floors of ancient houses. We also work on the development of computational methods for analyzing challenging ancient DNA datasets, and investigate changes in ecosystems over time as a function of human activity.

Your Tasks:

You will actively participate in research, teaching & administration, which means:

• You are involved in research projects and scientific studies in the area of ancient DNA and environmental genomics.
• You develop novel computational methods for the analysis of ancient DNA from sediments
• You analyze real and simulated ancient DNA datasets, from both humans and domestic animals.
• We expect you to finalize your dissertation agreement within 12-18 months.
• You work on your dissertation and its completion.
• You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.

Your Profile:

• Completed Master's degree in the fields of Biology or Bioinformatics, or related field
• IT user skills: e.g. linux, R, admixtools
• Programming or mathematics background
• Experience in academic writing
• Excellent command of written and spoken English

Desirable knowledge:

• experience in the history of human populations
• population genetics research methods
• Experience in an ancient DNA or genetics laboratory

You should be a team player with high social skills

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: benjamin.vernot(at)univie.ac.at

Supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Benjamin Vernot, BS PhD

Duration of Contract: 3 years with possible extension to 4 years. Funded with ERC Consolidator grant UNEARTH.

Expected start: 30.04.2026 or earlier

Working hours: 30 hours/week, salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 VwGr. B1 basic level (praedoc)

Job Description:
Most ancient DNA is retrieved from bones or teeth - but many sites lack such skeletal elements. Furthermore, bones and teeth are deposited upon death, but an individual sheds DNA throughout their entire life, in principle leaving a trace of their presence where they lived and worked.

You would work in the context of the ERC Consolidator grant UNEARTH, to extract and analyze ancient human DNA taken from prehistoric house floors, alleys and ditches. You will use this DNA to study past social systems, and the connections between neighboring settlements. Projects can also include ancient faunal and environmental DNA, to study changes in resource utilization and ecosystems over time.

Projects will include both ancient DNA laboratory components, and analysis of the sequencing data you have produced.

Work environment:

Prof. Benjamin Vernot is the head of the Ancient Environmental Genomics group, in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology. Our group studies human history, with a particular focus on ancient DNA extracted from sediments. We have both computational and laboratory focused projects, including projects where we analyze human DNA extracted directly from the floors of ancient houses. We also work on the development of computational methods for analyzing challenging ancient DNA datasets, and investigate changes in ecosystems over time as a function of human activity.

Your Tasks:

You will actively participate in research, teaching & administration, which means:

• You are involved in research projects and scientific studies in the area of ancient DNA and environmental genomics.
• You will extract DNA from ancient sediments and bones in the ancient DNA laboratory of the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
• You analyze real and simulated ancient DNA datasets, from both humans and domestic animals.
• We expect you to finalize your dissertation agreement within 12-18 months.
• You work on your dissertation and its completion.
• You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.

Your Profile:

• Completed Master's degree in the field of Biology, or related field
• Experience in an ancient DNA or genetics laboratory
• Experience in academic writing
• Excellent command of written and spoken English

Desirable knowledge:

• experience in the history of human populations
• population genetics research methods
• IT user skills: e.g. linux, R, admixtools

You should be a team player with high social skills

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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 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 3776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

If you have any questions, please contact: benjamin.vernot(at)univie.ac.at