Open Positions

CeMM, Vienna is seeking international partner research institutes to collaborate on Pain/Nociception and Human Aging/Healthy Lifespan Expansion.

We are offering Adjunct Principal Investigator positions for experts in Pain/Nociception Research (all gender). 

A common strategic research theme to speed up translation: PAIN-AGING

CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences is an international top research institute performing highly cooperative frontier research in molecular medicine in a large and vibrant hospital environment with an outstanding medical tradition and practice. CeMM is already at the forefront of interdisciplinarity, bringing together scientists from diverse fields united by a shared commitment to fundamental discovery and biomedical relevance. PAIN-AGING is the new flagship program of the institute. It exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach by integrating microbiome research, immunology, neuroscience, vascular biology, bioengineering, medicinal chemistry and AI to understand how impaired sensory signaling, chronic inflammation, and barrier dysfunction converge to drive unhealthy aging. Aging research will thus become a transversal theme at CeMM, closely linked to cancer, infection, neurodegeneration, and treatment-related long-term toxicities.

To complement the expertise of the CeMM Faculty, we are looking for experts in pain research

CeMM would like to understand the biological mechanisms that determine healthy aging and chronic pain for prevention and targeting of several non-communicable disorders associated with unhealthy ageing, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and cardiometabolic disorders. Pain/nociception is fundamental to initiate the healing process. We are mostly interested in experts in pain/nociception sensitization and intestinal permeability (leaky-gut) in the context of aging. We propose a fresh look with great intellectual rigor matched with unconventional perspectives.

• Are you fascinated by the biology of aging and looking for a place, where curiosity is matched by innovative multidisciplinary approaches?
• Do you want to join a highly collaborative CeMM Faculty of international colleagues who actively support each other’s scientific success?
• Do you want to power-up your medically-oriented research with cutting-edge technologies?
• Do you want to translate your findings to impact human health and medical practice?
   

The Institute

At CeMM, in a light-filled building full of interdisciplinary scientists from all over the world, with state-of-the-art equipment and inspiring art rooms, you and your group will have access to the expertise and tools of all members, leading to a degree of collaborative papers that is much higher than peer institutions and is oriented towards quality over quantity. CeMM’s five principles are: create innovative technology; explore biological roots of disease; push opportunities into medical application; empower talents; and multiply impact by sharing. You will be assisted in formulating your most competitive ERC grant ideas and helped with the application. The vigorous, strong partnership with the Medical University of Vienna, and the location in the middle of one of the world’s largest hospital, AKH Wien, is a unique asset. Vienna has been ranked several times worldwide #1 city in terms of quality of life. CeMM is also a member of EU-LIFE, an alliance of 17 top research centers in life sciences to support and strengthen European research excellence, and a sister institute of AITHYRA, the new Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna. www.cemm.oeaw.ac.at

Whom are we looking for

We are looking for MD (preferred) and/or PhD scientists with an exceptional track record in pain/nociception research (within neuroscience, immunology, or related fields). Applicants should be ready to pursue innovative research closely connected to clinical questions. Required are scientific quality and originality, a successful track record of scientific achievements and innovative approaches to study human pathophysiology. Inclination for leadership, a knack for creativity, an irrepressible curiosity, a collaborative and interdisciplinary mindset, as well as willingness to exercise kindness as collaborative research-supportive behavior are important ingredients to complete our new faculty member’s profile.

Moreover, you

• are a scientist with an own independent research group, interested in dual affiliation and research collaboration with CeMM
• want to actively contribute to our international CeMM PhD and Pre-ERC PostDoc Programs (from the common selection to supervision of students and postdocs)
• are fully committed to regularly participating in Faculty meetings, our weekly institute-wide scientific seminars, and retreats
• are fully committed to bridging fundamental research with clinical impact
• are a team-player who enjoys working across disciplines and within a broader cultural and social context

We offer

• an initial 5-years collaboration contract with mid-term review by our CeMM Scientific Advisory Board
• an Adjunct PI package of € 75.000 per year, including a fully equipped laboratory, 1 PhD Student salary, € 20.000/year for consumables, facility services and travel expenses, and support in the successful securement of extra funds to recruit additional team members
• access to our state-of-the art Facilities in sequencing and drug discovery (including metabolomics and proteomics)
• full institutional support for securing ERC grants and attractive permanent positions; CeMM PIs were able to acquire all sorts of ERC Grants (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, Synergy, and PoC) within the last 10 years, and several other prestigious and well-funded grants and awards
• the unique opportunity to become part of the CeMM Faculty and join our strong network of committed Faculty members and alumnae/alumni. Benefit from lively scientific exchange, extend your network, collaborate and explore new possibilities – in science and beyond
• an international, family-friendly working environment with an open and inclusive culture
• access to top administrative and scientific support (HR and training, grant service, finance, purchasing, PR, IP and tech transfer, cafeteria, etc.)

CeMM is an equal opportunity employer

Its strong intellectual environment stems from the international nature of its employees. We believe that diversity and different cultural backgrounds are a clear advantage to successful research, collaborations, and the day-to-day business. The official language at CeMM is English, and >45 different nationalities are represented at the institute. CeMM has been work package leader in a H2020 funded gender equality project called LIBRA, has received an HR4Research Excellence Award, and harbors a mix of different talents, backgrounds, competences, interests.

Application details 

Applications should be written in English and contain

• Curriculum Vitae with full publication list (and ORCID number)
• list of up to 5 most important papers with a short comment on why and what your contribution has been (each max. 100 words)
• funding track record or funding plans
• names and addresses of two references
• summary of research interests and objectives including how you could profit from and interact with the CeMM environment (max. 2 pages)

Application Deadline: 20 October 2026
Tentative Online Hearing Date: 30 October 2026
Potential Starting Date: Q1/Q2 2027