PhD Positions, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (2018)

We are recruiting ambitious PhD students for a collaboration project that seeks to promote cancer therapy by a computational genomics and proteomics-based system levels approach to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in melanoma.

The funded project combines the expertise of two nationally and internationally well connected active research groups, the laboratories of Stephan N. Wagner at the Department of Dermatology of the Medical University of Vienna and Stefan Kubicek at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, both located at the Vienna General Hospital campus.

The project:
We pursue a novel systems-level understanding of cell signaling states in melanoma and cell-cell communication within the melanoma microenvironment, combining cutting-edge genomics with proteomics technology and will monitor cellular responses using high-throughput assays such as functional drug screens. The successful candidate(s) will contribute to develop and apply computational methods to establish a model of cell state regulation, which will provide the basis for functional screens to provide novel targets for pharmacologic intervention in melanoma therapy.

The candidate(s):
We are looking for highly motivated PhD students with a background in immunology, cell biology, and/or computational sciences. Applicants should hold an MSc or MD and provide documented interest and first achievements in one of these fields. The successful candidate(s) is/are also expected to liaise the clinical, biological and technological expertise of the two groups. Commitment, innovative potential and target orientation are particularly important for us, first experience with animal research is preferred. The positions are funded for a period of 3 years with the possibility to extend. Salary is according to FWF-guidelines (www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze.html).

The institutions:
As one of the leading medical research centers in Europe, the Medical University of Vienna is the largest medical organization in Austria and provides the largest hospital in Europe, the Vienna General Hospital (AKH) with its medical staff. In Times Higher Education Rankings (2014-15), the Medical University of Vienna is listed among the top 15 medical schools in Europe and 49th in the world (Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Health). The campus provides state-of-the-art core facilities in the areas of genomics, proteomics, imaging and bioinformatics.

CeMM is an international research institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a founding member of EU-LIFE. It has an outstanding track record of top-notch science (last five years: >10 papers in Nature/Cell/Science/NEJM, >25 papers in Nature/Cell sister journals) and medical translation. A study by “The Scientist” placed CeMM among the top-5 best places to work in academia world-wide.

Vienna is frequently ranked the world’s best city to live. It is a United Nations city with a large English-speaking community.

We offer YOU:
- Excellent career opportunities in a competitive research environment
- A structured PhD program organized by the Medical University of Vienna
- State-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research projects
- Individual supervision from scientists who are leaders in their respective fields
- An english-speaking PhD program in an international setting

Further details:
PhD Positions, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (2018)