Postdoctoral Research Associate

1 Postdoctoral Research Associate Responsibilities º The postdoctoral position in "Protein Engineering for Food Systems" lies at the intersection of protein science, biotechnology and food technology. The position includes research, teaching and administrative responsibilities º The research will focus on screening, engineering, production and application of proteins and enzymes for use in food products and food processes º Key activities include the selection of target sequences from databases, phylogenetic analysis and modeling of protein structures; gene cloning, expression, protein purification, biochemical characterization and enzyme kinetic experiments; protein engineering and high-throughput screening; application studies in food products and food processes º The position aims to generate fundamental insights into protein function while also developing applied solutions for innovative food systems º Participation in outreach activities to explain and popularize science for the general public º Contributing to laboratory management, including onboarding, safety, instrument maintenance, etc. is also required Required skills and qualifications º Doctorate degree/PhD in a relevant natural science field º Language skills: Fluent in written and spoken English; intermediate German language skills (level B1) have to be acquired in the first three years for a possible prolongation of the contract. The German language skills have then to be demonstrated in the form of a certificate or a placement test. There are no direct BOKU funds available for acquiring language skills. However, there are some publicly funded options that could be provided to reach the language level (not guaranteed). º Expertise in microbial cultivation methods, fermentation, column chromatography, physical and chemical protein characterization methods as well as high-throughput screening assays is required to perform research tasks º Skilled use of sequence databases and tools to predict sequence relationships and protein structures as well as the kinetic analysis of enzymatic activity º Knowledge of the structural and nutritional function of proteins in food, their biochemical function as carrier and storage proteins, and their function as biocatalysts º The ability and motivation to translate basic scientific findings into industrial applications is required to bridge fundamental and applied research and collaborate with industry on R&D projects º Teaching and educational skills are necessary for supervising laboratory work, tutoring bachelor-, master- and doctoral candidates, teaching courses and supervising seminars º Good communication skills and high motivation to engage students and the general public º Experience in teaching of laboratory courses and lectures in English or German º Basic skills in proposal writing and project management Desirable skills and qualifications º Basic knowledge in the field of food technology to understand the analysis of food products and the function of food ingredients º Physical and chemical methods used for food analysis º Use of microfluidic devices for microdroplet generation and the handling of microorganisms º Qualified as a first responder, previous participation in laboratory safety training Applications can be submitted until: 25th of February 2026 People with disabilities and appropriate qualifications are specifically encouraged to apply. Please send your job application incl. º Motivation letter º CV º References (contact information of 3 supervisors/mentors) º Portfolio (acquired knowledge and skills in research, teaching and management) º Research statement (summary of past and present research as well as future research ideas for this position) to HR Management, BOKU University, Peter-Jordan-Straße 70, 1190 Vienna; E-Mail:. (Reference code: 15) We regret that we cannot reimburse applicants travel and lodging expenses incurred as part of the selection and hiring process. ww...