tenured full professorship “Medical Systems Biology “

The University of Salzburg is a thriving university in Austria with a strong focus on research. The university stands for outstanding achievements in both research and teaching in the areas of (digital) humanities, life sciences, sustainability of (social) processes and the link between art and science. With the four guiding themes of Art in Context, Development & Sustainability, Digital Life, and Health & Mind, the university offers researchers excellent opportunities for inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation.

The University of Salzburg invites applications for a tenured full professorship in:

With the Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology (www.plus.ac.at/biowissenschaften) and the university’s research ‘Centre for Tumour Biology and Immunology (CTBI)’ (https://www.plus.ac.at/ctbi), the University of Salzburg plays a key role in the field of biomedical life sciences in Austria. The University of Salzburg offers a diverse research environment that builds on excellent national and European research networks in basic research as well as in clinical and translational research. The biomedical profile of the department is characterised by the topics of tumour biology, immunology, immunometabolism, infection biology, cellular communication, signal transduction and ageing research. The department has a very good excellent research infrastructure, including flow cytometry, specialised microscopy and imaging, spatial genomics, epigenome and proteome analyses, complex bioanalytics and structural biology. There is also a substantial infrastructure for high-performance computing and excellent expertise for complex bioinformatic analyses. A modern central animal facility is available for immunological, tumour-biological and physiological basic research and preclinical studies.

The professorship will expand the strengths of the department by developing and providing modern/innovative methods to generate new systems biology data to characterise complex biological systems with high throughput. Examples include functional (CRISPR) screens, single cell sequencing, spatial and temporal biology, and/or therapy-relevant research using “drug screens”.

The professorship will be embedded in the above-mentioned key research areas of the department and the CTBI and will cooperate with other research groups of the University of Salzburg on a multi- and interdisciplinary level, in order to systematically investigate genetic, molecular and biochemical mechanisms with human pathological or health-promoting relevance (e.g. oncological, immunological, age-associated processes). For this purpose, interfaces in the fields of data science, bioinformatics, tumour biology and immunology will be utilised. At a regional level, the professor will work alongside research groups at the University of Salzburg and cooperate with research groups at the Salzburg University Hospital (www.salk.at) and the Paracelsus Medical University (www.pmu.ac.at/en/) as part of the Life Sciences Excellence Area Oncology and Immunology (www.cancercluster-salzburg.at), in accordance with the Life Sciences Masterplan.

Areas of responsibility include in particular:

• Independent scientific research and publication activities for the development of modern/innovative methods to generate new systems biology data in order to characterise and better understand complex biological systems with high throughput;
• Acquisition of third-party funding and participation in research networks;
• Initiatives to establish translational research units;
• Active involvement in the biological Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the University of Salzburg and in doctoral training, including the supervision of theses and dissertations;
• Participation in the Health Hub of the European university alliance CIVIS;
• Participation in university committees and university self-administration.

Minimum requirements:

• A domestic or equivalent foreign higher education qualification (doctorate) appropriate to the position;
• Outstanding achievements in research, commensurate with academic age and biography as well as a particular academic suitability, characterised by innovative approaches in systems biology, as evidenced by relevant publications and involvement in the international scientific community;
• Excellent university teaching skills;
• Proven excellent biomedical research achievements with an emphasis on system biology; proof of research at the highest level in tumor biology, tumor genetics, tumor immunology, molecular biology and/or molecular immunology is an advantage and desired;
• Successful acquisition of substantial third-party funding for research, interaction with funding bodies, experience in handling of third-party funded projects and budget responsibility;
• High professional and social leadership skills;
• Excellent written and spoken English skills. Non-German-speaking candidates are required to achieve a German language level B2 within three years.

Additional requirements:

• Experience in international research and co-operation;
• Experience in the management of interdisciplinary research programmes at the interface of systems biology data generation with clinical applications and/or data processing;
• Experience in modern science management and in the development and realisation of interdisciplinary research projects;
• Ability to work in a team and willingness to co-operate; social skills; ability to work under pressure, flexibility;
• Willingness to participate in and expand research and teaching co-operations at the University of Salzburg;
• Willingness to engage in the promotion of young researchers;
• Willingness and qualification to take on management functions.

The university hires professors full time on tenured contracts according to the Austrian Universities Act, the Austrian Salaried Employees Act (Angestelltengesetz) and Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Employees (A1 salary schedule). The basis of salary negotiations is the required legal minimum of €6.604,30 before taxes (in 14 monthly payments).

The University of Salzburg seeks to increase the proportion of its female staff and therefore encourages female candidates to apply. Women will be given preference over equally qualified men. People with disabilities or chronic illnesses who fulfil the job requirements are also expressly invited to apply.

People with disabilities or chronic illnesses who fulfil the job requirements are also expressly invited to apply. Further information can be requested under +43 (0)662 8044 2465 or from disability@sbg.ac.at.

Applications must be submitted with the following documents:

• Research concept (1-4 pages);
• Teaching and mentoring concept (1-2 pages);
• List of publications, courses held, relevant research projects and other activities worthy of consideration;
• Teaching evaluations and teaching certificates;
• Three publications relevant to the advertised professorship.

Applications should be addressed to the President of the University (“Rector”), Prof. Bernhard Fügenschuh, and must be mailed as a single pdf to bewerbung@plus.ac.at by 19 April 2025, stating the code number of the job advert (GZ B 0002/1-2025).

For further information, please contact the chair of the selection committee, Prof. Nikolaus Fortelny at +43-662-8044-5797 and nikolaus.fortelny@plus.ac.at.

Please note that in case of doubt, the German version of the job advertisement is binding.