Open Positions
PhD position in advanced proteomics within the Anti-Infective Drug Discovery (AIDD) doctoral training program at the University of Vienna
Applications are open for 10 four-year PhD positions in the AIDD doctoral training program led by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Vienna. This cohort of students will train together on inter-related topics within the field of anti-infective drug discovery. The program will start between July-October 2025, depending on candidate availability. We are accepting applications until April 4, 2025.
Within this call, we are specifically looking for students who are interested to obtain training in advanced mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics in the laboratory of Manuela Schmidt https://pharmtox.univie.ac.at/research-and-open-positions/systems-biology-of-pain-prof-schmidt/ and at the recently opened Center of Excellence for Metaproteomics https://pharmtox.univie.ac.at/center-of-excellence-for-metaproteomics/.
The project will investigate the mechanism of action of natural compounds by combining (i) chemoproteomics assays using state-of-the-art mass spectrometers and (ii) innovative proteomics analysis paired with network medicine approaches.
About AIDD: Drug-resistant infections claim a life every 25 seconds worldwide - and the trend is increasing. Antimicrobial resistance is predicted to become the leading global health threat by 2050, with drug development lagging behind the rapid evolution of resistant strains. Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida species have alarmingly high mortality rates, compounded by the emergence of antifungal resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium notorious for its resistance to multiple drugs, has been given critical priority status on the WHO's list of pathogens in need of new antibiotics.
The AIDD doctoral program leverages the expertise at the University of Vienna in drug discovery to address these pressing health issues. The program employs both target-based and phenotype-based drug discovery methodologies supported by artificial intelligence and in-depth expertise in natural product research. It is led by a multidisciplinary team of ten Principal Investigators (PIs) and is embedded in the Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, providing state-of-the-art training in pharmaceutical sciences. In addition to technical expertise, students gain career-relevant skills, including team management and effective communication. This comprehensive training equips graduates to take on leadership roles in both academia and the life sciences industry.
