Project Scientist in Assay Development to join the Superti-Furga Lab at CeMM (m/f/d) Full-time

We are looking for a dynamic individual to complement the existing team and drive the effort to interpret, validate and publish the output of the public-private partnership RESOLUTE, comprising six pharmaceutical companies, one biotech and six academic research institutions (Superti-Furga et al, Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2020). Using hundreds of isogenic cell lines with loss and gain of function for each human solute carrier transporter (SLC), we obtained metabolomic/ionomic, transcriptomic and proteomic large-scale data sets annotated with subcellular localization. You will develop novel cell-based assays to monitor the activity of SLCs and validate biochemically and functionally the most intriguing findings of the large-scale studies. You will work in the Giulio Superti-Furga group (CeMM, Vienna) in close collaboration with other project and data scientists at CeMM and across the consortium, constituting a powerful and unique professional network. Together we want to bring knowledge on human transporters to the next level by turning data into biological insights.

Requirements and desired qualifications 

• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry or similar
• Knowledge of general molecular biology and biochemical techniques
• Experience in genetic or variant libraries screens, mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry
• Excellent skills in planning, designing and trouble-shooting cell-based assays
• Experience with encoded biosensors is desirable
• Experience with biochemical/pharmacological analysis of transporters or membrane proteins is a plus
• Inclination to work in a team is important and a proactive attitude required
• Excellent written / oral communication skills in English

The RESOLUTE Consortium

Starting on July 1st of 2018, the RESOLUTE consortium is supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI, www.imi.europa.eu) with 13 partners from academia and the pharmaceutical industry and is coordinated by the Superti-Furga laboratory. The RESOLUTE consortium’s mission is to de-orphanize human SLC transporters at a large scale and unlock them as potential pharmacological targets (Superti-Furga et al, Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2020). With a well-defined action plan, we are currently pushing towards a paradigm-shift in the science of human cellular transporters by creating a massive, historical advance in knowledge on hundreds of individual transporters and the way they act together.

The Superti-Furga Laboratory 

The Superti-Furga group (http://superti-furga-lab.at/) is composed of an international and highly productive team of more than 30 scientists. As a leader in the field, the laboratory investigates how cells and biological systems in general manage access to the environment through cellular transport. In particular how access to nutrients and energy source is tuned to metabolism and need of individual cell types. Moreover, the lab has pioneered approaches for functional precision medicine. The laboratory operates on a truly multidisciplinary basis and involves functional genomics and proteomics, structural analysis, chemical biology, high-content imaging, bioinformatics and physiology, reflecting the blend of expertise of the laboratory members (Heinz et al, Nature. 2020; Girardi et al, Nat Chem Biol. 2020; Girardi et al, Nat Commun. 2020; Li et al, Nat Metab. 2021; Pemovska et al, Nat Commun. 2021).

About the Institute

CeMM is one of Europe’s leading biomedical research institutes. CeMM researchers routinely publish important discoveries in top journals. Over the last seven years, this included >10 papers in Nature/Cell/Science/NEJM and >30 papers in Nature/Cell sister journals – with a team of 120-150 scientists. Research at CeMM is exceptionally collaborative and has strong focus on medical impact, based on a profound molecular understanding of diseases such as cancer and immune disorders. CeMM is part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a founding member of EU-LIFE. It is located at the center of one of the largest medical campuses in Europe, within walking distance of Vienna’s historical city center. A study by “The Scientist” put CeMM among the top-5 best places to work in academia worldwide (https://www.the-scientist.com/features/best-places-to-work-academia-2012-40676). Vienna is frequently ranked the world’s best city to live. It is a United Nations city with a large English-speaking community. The official language at CeMM is English, and >49 different nationalities are represented at the institute. CeMM promotes equal opportunity and harbors a mix of different talents, backgrounds, competences, and interests. 

We offer

• Work within an experienced, interdisciplinary, and international team at one of Austria’s leading research institutes
• Ample opportunities to contribute and gain experience in a key area of biomedical research and precision medicine
• An inspiring workplace with an international setting, strong team spirit, and an excellent work climate
• A wide range of social, cultural, and sports activities organized by the institute
• Excellent employee benefits including full insurance coverage (health, accident, retirement), health care services, subsidized cafeteria
• Starting monthly gross salary of at least EUR 4.061,50 (following the recommendations of FWF)
• Support for relocating to Vienna is provided (relocation reimbursement, visa support, etc.) 

This position will be initially limited to 2 years, matching the project’s duration until December 2023.

Application details
Please apply online (https://cemm.jobbase.io/job/qglemjfh) with cover letter, CV and contact details of 2 referees, all in a single PDF document with up to 3 pages. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis and the starting date for all positions is as soon as possible.

Tagged as: Life Sciences