International Society for
Microbial Ecology
Closing date: Oct. 31, 2026
A 3-year postdoc position is available in the ERC Synergy project RECLESS (Recycling versus loss in the marine nitrogen cycle: controls, feedbacks, and the impact of expanding low oxygen regions) at the Division of Microbial Ecology (DoME) at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS), University of Vienna, Austria.
Project description:
RECLESS aims to predict how ongoing ocean deoxygenation impacts microbial nitrogen transformations and thereby the future availability of nitrogen to support oceanic primary production and carbon sequestration. The project brings together researchers from the Universities of Vienna, Gothenburg and Southern Denmark, as well as Carnegie Science, and synergistically integrates innovative oceanographic, biogeochemical, ecophysiological, and modelling approaches.
The postdoctoral researcher will use state-of-the-art -omics approaches to investigate marine microbial communities involved in nitrogen cycling and their transcriptional activity across oxygen and substrate gradients. Furthermore, they will investigate the viral lysis pressure on key nitrogen-cycling groups. Together, this research aims to resolve the genomic potential and transcribed functions of key nitrogen-cycling taxa, helping to disentangle microbial competition and interactions in marine low-oxygen regions. Samples to be analyzed are collected by members of the RECLESS team on research cruises across the globe. Participation in fieldwork is not required for this position but can be discussed. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and international team, with access to cutting edge infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The initial contract is for one year, with a planned extension to a total of three years. Salary will be according to the collective bargaining agreement for scientific staff at the University of Vienna (pay group B1). The preferred start date is the first quarter of 2027.
Your profile:
Applicants (f/m/d) should hold a PhD in Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biological Oceanography, or a related field, with a strong publication record. PhD candidates expecting to finish their degree before the position’s start date are also invited to apply. Demonstrated experience in relevant bioinformatics approaches—such as the proficient use of command line and HPC clusters, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis (from raw reads to functional annotation and transcriptional profiling), and the reconstruction of phylogenetic trees—is a prerequisite, as is the drive to apply new computational approaches. A good understanding of, and interest in, microbial physiology and nitrogen cycling is required. Candidates should have strong organizational and communication skills, and be comfortable working independently as well as within interdisciplinary teams. Proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
How to apply:
For informal inquiries and to apply, contact Katharina Kitzinger (katharina.kitzinger@univie.ac.at). For the full application, please submit the following documents by October 31, 2026:
About the University of Vienna and CeMESS:
The University of Vienna is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe and offers a vibrant international research environment. Vienna consistently ranks among the most livable cities in the world. CeMESS is home to world leading experts across many disciplines of microbiology, with ample opportunity for collaborations and exchange. CeMESS provides an inclusive, welcoming and supportive research environment for people of all backgrounds, ethnic and gender identities, and emphasizes postdoctoral career development.