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52 Faculty of Chemistry
Job vacancy starting: 07/01/2026 | Working hours: 40,00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)
Limited contract until: 06/30/2030
Job ID: 5740
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!
The Institute of Biological Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry is seeking a Senior Scientist to work on the synthesis of microbial natural products in the Microbial Biochemistry research group, Böttcher laboratory.
The position is initially limited to 4 years, with the possibility of conversion to a permanent position.
In our research group, we develop chemical strategies for the tailored control of bacterial behavior with the goal of controlling the growth and pathogenic properties of certain microorganisms as well as their interactions within the human microbiome. We also investigate the chemical interactions between commensal and pathogenic bacteria as well as the chemistry of microbe-human interactions, and strive to exploit the potential of the natural products arising from these interactions through synthetic chemistry. We focus primarily on new anti-infective compounds that, for example, inhibit the production of toxins by pathogenic bacteria or, as highly selective antibiotics, inhibit the growth of only specific bacterial species. Our vision is to develop tailored chemical tools for precision interventions in the human microbiome, thereby laying the groundwork for chemical microbiome engineering in the future.
Active participation in research, teaching & administration, which means:
Design and synthesis of microbial natural product
- s
Support for various projects in chemical biolog- y
Planning of complex, multi-step organic syntheses of biologically active compound- s
Preparation of research reports, manuscripts for international publications, oral presentation- s
Independent delivery of courses in accordance with collective bargaining agreement provision- s
Supervision and training of students and staf- f
Support with administrative tasks, teaching, and grant application- s
- Completed doctoral/PhD degree in chemistry, life sciences, or biochemistry.
- Outstanding dissertation.
- Research expertise and initiative, demonstrated by international publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Ability to plan complex, multi-step organic syntheses of biologically active compounds.
- Experience in research management and leading project teams.
- Teaching skills / experience in e-learning.
- Excellent knowledge of synthetic chemistry.
- Experience in the design and synthesis of microbial natural products.
- Experience in the synthesis of polyketides from endophytic fungi as well as bacterial cell wall components is desirable.
- Very good English skills (C1).
- Team player with strong social and communication skills.
- Very good organizational skills.
- Precision and attention to detail in laboratory work.
- High level of motivation.
Your unique work style: You enjoy working independently and in a structured manner, are service-oriented, and enjoy finding solutions. You are a team player and possess strong social and communication skills.
- Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work (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 further 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 4 years increases, if we can credit professional experience. The position is initially limited to 4 years, with the possibility of conversion to a permanent position.
- Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!
With your scientific curriculum vitae / letter of inten
- t
With your list of publication- s
With your summary of research interests (max. 1 p.- )
Doctoral Degree
Contact details of two persons who could provide reference letter- s
Certificate of gradfuation from doctoral/ PhD progra- m
Via our job portal/- Apply now - button
Thomas Böttcher
[email protected]
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.
Data protection
Application deadline: 21.06.2026
