Postdoc marine evolutionary physiology (University Assistant)

Internetchemie; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 55.000 - 66.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work options within Austria

Access to 600 courses for training

Zusammenfassung

University of Vienna invites applications for a Postdoctoral researcher in Marine Biology within the Marine Experimental Ecology group led by Frank Melzner. The project explores heat stress responses in mussels and coastal invertebrates, linking physiology, genomics, and field work across European coasts.

You will lead experiments, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, seek external funding, and mentor students, with a start date as early as November 1, 2026, for up to 60 months.

Qualifikationen

• Ph.D. in animal physiology, zoology, marine ecology or related field.
• Excellent whole animal and cellular physiology lab skills.
• Excellent molecular biology lab skills.
• At least one peer‑reviewed publication in marine animal physiology as first author.
• Good bioinformatic skills and willingness to embrace novel bioinformatic approaches to analyse large datasets.

Aufgaben

• Analyse phenotypic responses of mussels to heat stress and understand physiological mechanisms enabling tolerance.
• Cooperate with evolutionary genomicists and ecologists to link phenotypes to genotypes.
• Participate in field sampling campaigns and lead experimental studies.
• Lead and participate in scientific publications and presentations at international meetings.
• Write proposals to obtain external funds and establish your own line of research.
• Co-supervise Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral students in Marine Biology.
• Take on teaching tasks and evaluation procedures.

Kenntnisse

PhD in animal physiology

Ausbildung

PhD in marine biology

Jobbeschreibung

Your field of activity:

The successful candidate will work with colleagues in the Marine Experimental Ecology group led by Frank Melzner, as well as external collaborators to understand physiological responses to heat stress in mytilid mussels and other intertidal and coastal invertebrates and/or algae. The research aims to better understand, whether heat resistant populations already populate European coasts (from Portugal to the Arctic) in microhabitats characterized by higher average temperatures and thermal fluctuations. Ultimately, the work will contribute to assessing the potential of populations to track climate change velocity along European coasts, with implications for coastal zone management and environmental conservation. The successful candidate will closely cooperate with a Postdoc in evolutionary genomics, as well as ecologists, so that heat resistant genotypes can be phenotyped in detail and is expected to participate in field sampling expeditions. Phenotyping activities include whole organism responses (filtration, respiration), as well as cellular and metabolic phenotyping approaches (e.g. multiomics, mitochondrial physiology, enzyme kinetics). Experiments will be conducted in tidal incubation facilities at the University of Vienna, as well as coastal mesocosm facilities. The successful candidate is expected to raise external funding and contribute to teaching & will be given enough time and freedom to develop her/his own research profile. Ideally, the successful candidate will generate ideas and preliminary work to support an application for an Austrian FWF Astra award or European ERC grant.

The position isfull-time and limited to 60 months. Thestarting dateis as early asNov 1st, 2026.

Your future tasks:

Active participation in research and teaching, which means:

• You analyse phenotypic responses of mytilid mussels to heat stress and understand what physiological mechanisms enable longer tolerance of heat waves in intertidal habitats, also considering potential trade-offs
• You cooperate with evolutionary genomicists and ecologists to link phenotypes and biotic interactions in the field to genotypes
• You participate in field sampling campaigns and lead experimental studies
• You lead and participate in scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international meetings.
• You write proposals to obtain additional funds from FWF, EU and other funding agencies and establish your own line of research
• You (co-)supervise Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral students in Marine Biology.
• You take on tasks in teaching as well as evaluation procedures.

This is part of your personality:

You must have:

• Ph.D. in animal physiology, zoology, marine ecology or related field
• Excellent whole animal and cellular physiology lab skills
• Excellent molecular biology lab skills
• At least one peer-reviewed publication in marine animal physiology as first author
• Good bioinformatic skills and willingness to embrace novel bioinformatic approaches to analyse large datasets

Desirable skills:

• Supervision and teaching experience
• Experience with mollusc physiology, cell biology and immunology
• Experience with field work in intertidal habitats
• Experience with mesocosm work
• Good organisational skills
• Presentation experience in an international setting

What we offer:

Inspiring and dynamic working atmosphere with excellent and diverse lab facilities and a wide range of research and teaching support services

Work-life balance:Our employees enjoy flexible working hours. Upon agreement, hybrid working hours within Austria might be possible up to a certain extent.

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:A basic gross salary of EUR 5,450.60 (on a 40h/week basis; amount as of February 1st, 2025) per month, 14 times a year, increases if we can credit professional experience.

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

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 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.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

Data protection
Application deadline:09/25/2026

Post Doc

If you have any questions, please contact:

Frank Melzner

[e-mail]