Senior Scientist

University of Vienna; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Partly remote/hybrid

Internal training & coaching

Job summary

The University of Vienna invites applications for a Senior Scientist in the Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry. You will join Prof.

Veronika Somoza’s group to advance cellular and molecular characterization of flavor compounds and GPCR signaling, enabling sustainable food products with health benefits. The role emphasizes independent courses, supervision of students, and potential for a permanent position after a six-year fixed-term period.

Qualifications

• Completed doctoral degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a comparable field.
• Solid experience in 2D and 3D cultures of mammalian cells and organoids.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based methods, live-cell imaging, and biosensor assays.
• Strong knowledge of GPCR signaling cascades and molecular regulation.
• Experience with in-silico methods for ligand-receptor interactions and data analysis.
• Proven research competence with international publications; teaching experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cellular and molecular biological characterization in GPCR signaling research.
• Study intracellular signaling pathways and receptor trafficking with advanced imaging.
• Elucidate signaling networks linking GPCR activity to physiological processes.
• Perform structure-activity analyses; incorporate in-silico methods and bioinformatics analyses.
• Supervise and train Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral students in chemistry, food chemistry, nutritional sciences.
• Assist in project proposal development and third-party funding applications.
• Contribute to teaching and independent courses in food chemistry.

Skills

2D cell culture

3D cell culture

organoids

recombinant expression

CRISPR/Cas9

live-cell imaging

biosensor assays

BRET/FRET

GPCR signaling

In-silico methods

Data analysis scripts

Teaching

Education

PhD in biochemistry or molecular biology

Tools

Live-cell imaging

BRET/FRET

Job description

The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. Fueled by curiosity and a deep sense of duty, they contribute invaluable insights to research and teaching, enriching our society.

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where over 7,500 brilliant minds have found a unique balance of freedom and support. Join us if you’re passionate about groundbreaking international research and academic excellence. Ready to be part of our team? Let’s shape the future together!

Senior Scientist

52 Faculty of Chemistry

Startdate: 01.12.2026 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)

Limited until: 30.11.2032

Reference no.: 6380

Your future place is at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry. You will join the research group of Prof. Veronika Somoza, where you will find excellent opportunities for research in cellular and molecular biolgical characterization. Flavor compounds play a crucial role in the selection and senosory perception of food. Achieving a deepter understanding of their chemistry and bioactivity on a molecular level will support the development of sustainable food products with high consumer preference and added health value. The institute is part of the Faculty of Chemistry and has access to various core facilities.

Your future tasks:

• Extensive prior experience in cellular and molecular biological characterization: Application of modern methods such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout and knock-in systems, live-cell imaging, and biosensor-based assays to investigate receptor functions.
• Research on intracellular signaling pathways, such as the analysis of second-messenger cascades, receptor trafficking, and biased signaling, preferably with a focus on chemosensory GPCR signaling pathways.
• Elucidation of cellular signaling networks: Linking molecular GPCR signaling pathways with higher-level physiological and metabolic processes, ideally with prior experience in in vivo studies.
• Structure-activity analyses: Investigating structure-activity relationships and how the chemical structure of ligands regulates receptor activation, potentially complemented by the use of in-silico methods combined with bioinformatics data analyses.
• Support for early-career researchers: Supervising and training students in chemistry, food chemistry, nutritional sciences, and related disciplines as part of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral theses.
• Supporting project proposal processes and the acquisition of third-party funding.
• Assuming administrative responsibilities in research and teaching.
• Independently conducting courses, primarily in the field of food chemistry, in accordance with collective bargaining regulations.

Requirements:

• Completed doctoral degree/PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a comparable field, with a focus on cellular signaling networks, preferably GPCR signal transduction.
• Solid experience in 2D and 3D cultures of immortalized and primary mammalian cells, as well as organoids, including recombinant expression systems, as a basis for functional signaling studies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and practical experience with modern cell biology techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9-based methods, live-cell imaging, and biosensor assays (e.g., BRET/FRET).
• In-depth knowledge of GPCR signaling cascades and their molecular regulation.
• Experience with computational/ in-silico methods for investigating ligand-receptor interactions, as well as script-based data analysis platforms.
• Demonstrated research competence and initiative, evidenced by international publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Teaching skills and experience in higher education teaching, preferably in food chemistry; knowledge of e-learning is desirable.
• Experience supervising doctoral and Master’s students.
• Excellent English language skills (C1 level); knowledge of German is desirable.
• A team-oriented individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Work-life balance:

Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, partly remote/hybrid (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 training & Coaching:

Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from - free of charge.

Fixed-term contract and fair salary:

The basic salary of EUR 5,014.30 (14 times a year for senior scientists postdoctoral) for a period of 72 months increases, if we can credit professional experience. The position is limited to six years with the option to extend into a permanent position.

Get off to a great start in your new job:

The Welcome Compass helps you settle into your new role at the University of Vienna and life in Vienna.

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.

Veronika Somoza

[e-mail]

Application deadline: 11/16/2026

(Senior) Lecturer & Researcher