2 University Assistants (Post-Doc) Grade: B1 Post-Doc Level of employment: 40 hours weekly Length of employment: 3 years, given a positive evaluation 2 years extension possible Deadline for applications: 26.07.2026 Reference number: 2026/0047
Goal of the Interdisciplinary Postdoc Program (IDPP) The advertised two positions aim to integrate and further expand the current foci of the Messerli Research Institute (MRI) and its partner universities. For this aim, the call has identified 8 research topics and their mentors that address problems associated with human animal interactions (HAIs). These topics need to be addressed as complex and dynamic phenomena integrating the perspectives of both animals and humans to generate in-depth understanding through interdisciplinary research. Hence, the partner universities call for project proposals developed by the candidates that address one of the 8 interdisciplinary topics. The partner universities aim for proposals that integrate information, data, techniques, tools, methods, concepts, and/or theories from the mentors’ disciplines. The projects have to go beyond specialized knowledge and advance comprehensive understanding of problems in HAIs, thereby contributing to their solutions that are beyond the scope of single disciplines. Candidates can apply for more than one topic. For each research topic, two or three MRI mentors, affiliated to the Vetmeduni, the Medical University of Vienna or the University of Vienna, have teamed up and offer their expertise to support the candidates in the development of such interdisciplinary research projects. The projects are initiated and will be led by the successful postdoctoral researchers of this call. As such, the successful candidates are not only expected to conduct excellent research, but also to increase the international visibility of the interdisciplinary profile of both the postdoctoral researchers and the MRI.
Place of work The position will be embedded within a dynamic research environment at either of the partner universities depending on the topic the candidate will be working on. The Vetmeduni is a centre of excellence for teaching and research in veterinary medicine. The modern campus accommodates teaching and research facilities as well as the only veterinary teaching and research hospital in Austria. It is the workplace of around 2,300 students and 1,400 staff. Vetmeduni distinguishes itself by striving for excellence in its teaching and research activities as well as in its service units and through its continuous dialogue with society. The Medical University of Vienna is one of the most established medical training and research institutions in Europe. With more than 8,000 students, it is today the largest medical training facility in the German‑speaking area. Together, 30 university departments and two clinical institutes as well as 13 basic science centres and numerous highly specialized laboratories make the Medical University of Vienna one of the most important cutting‑edge research institutions in biomedicine. The University of Vienna is consistently ranked within the top 100 universities worldwide, and since its foundation in 1365, it has been home to scholars driven by genuine curiosity.
Context In frame of its newly established IDPP, the MRI invites postdoctoral researchers with an integrative mind‑set and interest in an interdisciplinary research career to supports excellent, innovative and problem‑oriented postdoctoral research projects that address the challenges as well as benefits of human‑animal interactions (HAI) by studying the human and animal perspectives of these interactions. The MRI was established in 2010 with the support of the Messerli Foundation. The institute was launched at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna. It aims to generate scientifically grounded insights into the reciprocal influence of humans and animals. Research at the institute focuses on the scientific study of the coexistence of humans and animals and aims to develop convincing criteria and strategies for ethically acceptable treatment of animals. The institute is characterized by a broad interdisciplinary approach – encompassing biology, medicine, veterinary medicine, philosophy, psychology, immunology, genetics as well as ethics and law.
Responsibilities
Developing and realizing a problem‑oriented, interdisciplinary and innovative research project that addresses one of the 8 topics described below, in collaboration with the respective mentors
Publishing in peer‑reviewed journals and other outlets relevant to the field
Supervising and training of undergraduate students
Actively contributing to the interdisciplinary and interuniversity activities of the MRI
Actively contributing to the strategic goals of the MRI and the university of their employment regarding research, teaching and knowledge dissemination
Participating in the organizational meetings, events and reporting activities of the MRI
For topic‑specific requirements, desired qualifications and skills, see Research topics 1 to 8
Required education, qualifications and experience
Completed studies and Doctorate/PhD in a field relevant for the research topic addressed by the applicant
Outstanding publication track record in line with the career level
Research or working experience with interdisciplinary projects
Experience in supervising undergraduate and graduate students
Experience with national and international research collaborations
Good English level (B2)
Additional desired qualifications and skills
Documented interest in developing an interdisciplinary research career
Formal education in inter‑ and transdisciplinary research methods
Experience in working in interdisciplinary research contexts
Experience in engaging with non‑academics and stakeholders involved in human‑animal interactions
Experience in science communication, e.g. academic outreach activities and public events
Integrative mindset and genuine interest in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, being an enthusiastic and committed team player
Experience in university teaching
Good German level (B2)
What we offer
A fellowship for 3 years, with a possible extension for another 2 years, positive evaluation given
A stimulating peer group with 4 to 8 colleagues working in similar positions
An excellent interdisciplinary research environment integrating expertise and facilities from 3 universities
Top universities
Stable employer
Attractive campus
Personal and professional training and development opportunities
Health care
Diversity and family‑friendly university culture
Children’s day‑care and holiday care options
Numerous attractive fringe benefits
Employee events
Minimum salary The minimum salary for university staff is regulated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff and at the B1 level amounts to EUR 5,014.30 gross based on a fulltime employment (40 hours/week).
Equal Opportunity Statement All three universities aim to increase the proportion of women among scientific and general university staff, especially in management positions, and therefore explicitly invite qualified women to apply. In the case of underrepresentation of women, female applicants who are equally suitable as the best‑suited male competitor will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail. We also encourage people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Goal of the Interdisciplinary Postdoc Program (IDPP) The advertised two positions aim to integrate and further expand the current foci of the Messerli Research Institute (MRI) and its partner universities. For this aim, the call has identified 8 research topics and their mentors that address problems associated with human animal interactions (HAIs). These topics need to be addressed as complex and dynamic phenomena integrating the perspectives of both animals and humans to generate in-depth understanding through interdisciplinary research. Hence, the partner universities call for project proposals developed by the candidates that address one of the 8 interdisciplinary topics. The partner universities aim for proposals that integrate information, data, techniques, tools, methods, concepts, and/or theories from the mentors’ disciplines. The projects have to go beyond specialized knowledge and advance comprehensive understanding of problems in HAIs, thereby contributing to their solutions that are beyond the scope of single disciplines. Candidates can apply for more than one topic. For each research topic, two or three MRI mentors, affiliated to the Vetmeduni, the Medical University of Vienna or the University of Vienna, have teamed up and offer their expertise to support the candidates in the development of such interdisciplinary research projects. The projects are initiated and will be led by the successful postdoctoral researchers of this call. As such, the successful candidates are not only expected to conduct excellent research, but also to increase the international visibility of the interdisciplinary profile of both the postdoctoral researchers and the MRI.
Place of work The position will be embedded within a dynamic research environment at either of the partner universities depending on the topic the candidate will be working on. The Vetmeduni is a centre of excellence for teaching and research in veterinary medicine. The modern campus accommodates teaching and research facilities as well as the only veterinary teaching and research hospital in Austria. It is the workplace of around 2,300 students and 1,400 staff. Vetmeduni distinguishes itself by striving for excellence in its teaching and research activities as well as in its service units and through its continuous dialogue with society. The Medical University of Vienna is one of the most established medical training and research institutions in Europe. With more than 8,000 students, it is today the largest medical training facility in the German‑speaking area. Together, 30 university departments and two clinical institutes as well as 13 basic science centres and numerous highly specialized laboratories make the Medical University of Vienna one of the most important cutting‑edge research institutions in biomedicine. The University of Vienna is consistently ranked within the top 100 universities worldwide, and since its foundation in 1365, it has been home to scholars driven by genuine curiosity.
Context In frame of its newly established IDPP, the MRI invites postdoctoral researchers with an integrative mind‑set and interest in an interdisciplinary research career to supports excellent, innovative and problem‑oriented postdoctoral research projects that address the challenges as well as benefits of human‑animal interactions (HAI) by studying the human and animal perspectives of these interactions. The MRI was established in 2010 with the support of the Messerli Foundation. The institute was launched at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna. It aims to generate scientifically grounded insights into the reciprocal influence of humans and animals. Research at the institute focuses on the scientific study of the coexistence of humans and animals and aims to develop convincing criteria and strategies for ethically acceptable treatment of animals. The institute is characterized by a broad interdisciplinary approach – encompassing biology, medicine, veterinary medicine, philosophy, psychology, immunology, genetics as well as ethics and law.
Responsibilities
Developing and realizing a problem‑oriented, interdisciplinary and innovative research project that addresses one of the 8 topics described below, in collaboration with the respective mentors
Publishing in peer‑reviewed journals and other outlets relevant to the field
Supervising and training of undergraduate students
Actively contributing to the interdisciplinary and interuniversity activities of the MRI
Actively contributing to the strategic goals of the MRI and the university of their employment regarding research, teaching and knowledge dissemination
Participating in the organizational meetings, events and reporting activities of the MRI
For topic‑specific requirements, desired qualifications and skills, see Research topics 1 to 8
Required education, qualifications and experience
Completed studies and Doctorate/PhD in a field relevant for the research topic addressed by the applicant
Outstanding publication track record in line with the career level
Research or working experience with interdisciplinary projects
Experience in supervising undergraduate and graduate students
Experience with national and international research collaborations
Good English level (B2)
Additional desired qualifications and skills
Documented interest in developing an interdisciplinary research career
Formal education in inter‑ and transdisciplinary research methods
Experience in working in interdisciplinary research contexts
Experience in engaging with non‑academics and stakeholders involved in human‑animal interactions
Experience in science communication, e.g. academic outreach activities and public events
Integrative mindset and genuine interest in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, being an enthusiastic and committed team player
Experience in university teaching
Good German level (B2)
What we offer
A fellowship for 3 years, with a possible extension for another 2 years, positive evaluation given
A stimulating peer group with 4 to 8 colleagues working in similar positions
An excellent interdisciplinary research environment integrating expertise and facilities from 3 universities
Top universities
Stable employer
Attractive campus
Personal and professional training and development opportunities
Health care
Diversity and family‑friendly university culture
Children’s day‑care and holiday care options
Numerous attractive fringe benefits
Employee events
Minimum salary The minimum salary for university staff is regulated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff and at the B1 level amounts to EUR 5,014.30 gross based on a fulltime employment (40 hours/week).
Equal Opportunity Statement All three universities aim to increase the proportion of women among scientific and general university staff, especially in management positions, and therefore explicitly invite qualified women to apply. In the case of underrepresentation of women, female applicants who are equally suitable as the best‑suited male competitor will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail. We also encourage people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
