Assistant Professorship (all genders) - Tenure Track

At the Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, in the Research Group for Synthetic Biology and Molecular Biotechnology TU Wien is offering the following tenure track position, imited to 6 years, for 20 hours/week. Expected start: April 2026.

The career position will be implemented as part of a strategic cooperation between TU Wien (Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering) and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). An additional 50% position will be created at AIT for this purpose.

The candidate and TU Wien can agree upon a tenure evaluation, which when positive, opens the possibility to change the position to Associate Professor with an unlimited contract.

Since 2016, the for Institute Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering at TU Wien has been pursuing a concerted approach under the vision “Industry 5.0 – Imagineering Nature®,” which aims to make targeted use of nature's resources and mechanisms. A concrete example of this is the de novo design of complex biologically inspired molecular systems and their manifold applications in biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and computer science. In addition, the use of DNA-based sensors such as aptamers allows the development of programmable molecular nanomachines. The career position for “Bionano Engineering and Aptamer Technologies” will strengthen and further develop this highly interdisciplinary field of research at TU Wien.

Tasks:

Research:
The Faculty of Technical Chemistry, one of the eight faculties at TU Wien, plays an active role in the national and international research sector and has an excellent reputation. The main areas of research include materials chemistry and technology, biochemical technologies, energy and the environment and sustainability. Intensive cooperation within the research areas of the institute, the faculty, and institutes of other faculties active in biotechnology and molecular biology is therefore expected.

Technical expertise in the design, manufacture, and characterization of complex nucleic acid-based systems and nanomachines as well as the development of stimuli-responsive biomolecules are essential qualifications for this position. Particular attention is paid to

• DNA nanotechnologies and molecular sensors (e.g. aptamers, aptazymes, aptaswitches) in combination with microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, synthetic biology, chemistry and new AI tools
• Research, further development and application of natural and artificial DNA and RNA nanostructures (e.g. aptamers, riboswitches, regulatory miRNAs and lnRNAs) for use in biotechnology and molecular diagnostics
• the development and application of diagnostic and theranostic technologies, DNA-based catalysts, DNA-based computing and DNA-based data storage
• the application of these tools in complex microbial processes (e.g. epidemiology of pathogens)
• the development of specific design software for DNA assays and nanomachinery

In this context, the applicant is expected to actively seek third-party funding.

Teaching:
In addition to research, the applicant for the career position at TU Wien also commits to teaching (in both German and English) in bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs, as well as to participating in the management of the institute and the faculty. The main task is to impart the knowledge and methods necessary for the design, manufacture and characterization of complex nucleic acid-based systems and nanomachines. The spectrum ranges from teaching content in molecular biology and synthetic biology to selected aspects of bioinformatics.

Your profile:

• A completed doctorate or PhD from a domestic or equivalent foreign university or research institution or the completion of an equivalent scientific qualification
• Scientific reputation, demonstrated by publications in internationally renowned scientific journals and books as well as by scientific presentations at international conferences
• Experience in the design, manufacture and characterization of complex nucleic acid-based systems and nanomachines as well as in the development of stimuli-responsive biomolecules
• Experience in the design and application of aptamers
• Experience in the development of diagnostic and theranostic nanomachines and DNA-based catalysts
• Expertise in the development of DNA-based computing and DNA-based data storage
• Proven coordination and collaboration in international research projects
• Experience in teaching in the field of bionanoengineering and synthetic biology is advantageous
• Co-supervision of scientific work by students in this field of research is advantageous
• Willingness to relocate to Vienna (on-site presence)
• English language skills at least C1
• If sufficient German language skills are not available, willingness to learn German at an early stage is required, which will enable participation in the management of the institute, the faculty and university committees as well as teaching in bachelor's programs

We offer:

• A wide variety and exciting range of tasks in a collegial team
• Hybrid working style with up to 60% teleworking option
• A range of attractive social benefits (see Benefits)
• Wide range of internal and external training opportunities, various career options
• Central location of workplace as well as good accessibility (U1/U2/U4 Karlsplatz)

The employment starts as University Assistant with a minimum salary (20h) of EUR 2.507,15 gross (14 x per year) according to the collective bargaining agreement for a PostDoc. After signing the qualification agreement, the employment continues as Assistant Professor with a minimum salary of EUR 2,952.00 gross (14 x per year).

We look forward to receiving your application until February 26th, 2026.