Assistant Professor of “Genetics of Healthy Companion Animals”

The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni) is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for teaching and research in veterinary medicine as well as a soughtafter partner for cooperation. The modern campus accommodates teaching and research facilities as well as the only veterinary teaching and research hospital in Austria and is the workplace of around 2,300 students and 1,400 staff. Vetmeduni distinguishes itself by striving for excellence in its teaching and research activities as well as in its service units and through its continuous dialogue with society.

The Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology is looking for an

Assistant Professor of “Genetics of Healthy Companion Animals”

in accordance with the appointment procedure for Assistant Professors established by § 99 (5) of the 2002 Universities Act

Grade: A2

Level of employment: 40 hours weekly

Length of employment: 4 years tenure-track position (i.e. permanent after positive evaluation)

Deadline for applications: 12.6.2024

Reference number: 2024/0102

Context

The Vetmeduni is looking for an Assistant Professor to represent the field of "Genetics of Healthy Companion Animals" in research and teaching to prevent genetically inherited diseases with a focus on dogs and cats. The assistant professorship is assigned to the Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology and will closely collaborate with the newly established Medimpuls professorship “System Genetics”. This provides access to excellent, modern research and teaching facilities.

The successful candidate is expected to integrate insights from the fields of functional (epi-)genomics, population genetics, and evidence-based clinical genetics. Furthermore, responsible participation in the scientific commission for the implementation of the ban on breeding practices causing suffering in domestic and companion animals in Austria is anticipated.

Main Tasks

The advertised position is aimed to further expand and complement the focus of the department and Vetmeduni in the field of 'Genetics of Healthy Companion Animals', with the goal of creating scientific evidence for advancement in this field. In this context, the establishment of an internationally visible, primarily third-party funded research program is strived for. The successful candidate will collaborate interdisciplinary at Vetmeduni.

Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to engage with further national and international institutions. Other tasks include teaching within the curricula of Vetmeduni, the supervision of theses and doctoral students, as well as administrative tasks including work in committees, collaboration with authorities and ministries, and third mission activities such as continuing education courses at Vetmeduni.

Responsibilities

• Independent development and implementation of research projects

• Authoring of publications and independent acquisition and coordination of third-party funding

• Supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students

• Participation in various areas of research, teaching, service and administration within the framework of the university organization

• Independent teaching activities in the study programs of Vetmeduni

• Willingness to participate in the knowledge transfer and to promote early career researchers in the spirit of the social responsibility of the Vetmeduni

• Actively pursuing the strategic objectives of the department and the Vetmeduni

• Responsible participation in the scientific commission for the implementation of the ban on breeding practices causing suffering in domestic and companion animals in Austria

Required education, qualifications and experience

• Completed studies in natural sciences or life sciences and doctorate / PhD in a relevant field

• At least 2 years of PostDoc-experience in a relevant field

• Outstanding relevant publication track record in line with the career level

• Experience in the acquisition of third-party funds in line with the career level

• Experience with national or international research collaborations

• Teaching experience

• Postgraduate research experience at least at one other university/research institution for at least twelve months in total

• Good English level (B2)

Additional desired qualifications and skills

• Completed studies in veterinary medicine

• Experience in supervising graduate students

• An enthusiastic and committed team player

• Open to inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary joint working

• Excellent communication skills

• Good German level (B2)

What we offer

• Top university: Vetmeduni is one of the leading academic education and research institutions in veterinary medicine in Europe

• Stable employer

• Attractive campus

• Personal and professional training and development opportunities

• Health care

• Diversity and family-friendly university culture

• Children’s day-care and holiday care options

• Numerous attractive fringe benefits

• Employee events

The Position

The position of Assistant Professor with a qualification (i.e. tenure-track) agreement (according to § 27 of the collective contract (Kollektivvertrag) for university employees) is initially limited to a duration of 4 years. After fulfilment of the agreed qualification goals, the contract will be of an unlimited duration as Associate Professor.

Minimum salary

The minimum salary for university staff is regulated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff and at the A2 level amounts to EUR 5,595.60 gross. The salary increases to EUR 6,055.70 gross when the provisions of the qualification agreement are met.

Applications

Please submit your application in English, noting the reference number 2024/0102, by e-mail to bewerbungen(at)vetmeduni.ac.at. Please do not forget to include the reference number or we will be unable to relate your application to the correct vacancy announcement.

Application documents in English language must include:

1. Letter of application with a brief description of

• Current research interests and research plan for the next three years, and anticipated advancement for the field

• Concept for academic teaching and supervision of young researchers

• Contribution to the scientific profile of the Institute and the Vetmeduni

2. Curriculum vitae including

• Information on selected research esteem factors (e.g. publication quality, impact, collaborations, invited talks) and recognition of excellence

• List of external funds acquired (topic, funder, budget, duration) and submitted or unsuccessful grant applications

• Overview of academic teaching and supervised theses, especially PhD theses

• Experience in the organization and management of team, staff and students

• Evidence of knowledge transfer and provision of expertise beyond the scientific community and other significant impact

3. Further documents to prove the required education, qualifications and experience described as necessary in the vacancy announcement

4. Names and contact information of three references

Presentations and interviews with the short-listed candidates are scheduled for October 2024 (likely in calendar week 41).

The Vetmeduni aims to increase the proportion of women among scientific and general university staff, especially in management positions, and therefore explicitly invites qualified women to apply. In the case of underrepresentation of women, female applicants who are equally suitable as the best-suited male competitor will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

There is no fee required for submitting an application. Applicants have no entitlement to reimbursement of any travel or accommodation expenses.

As a proud holder of the “hochschuleundfamilie” (“University and Family”) certificate, Vetmeduni welcomes applications from candidates with family responsibilities. We also encourage people with disabilities or chronic conditions to apply. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for disabled people, Franz Mitterbauer (franz.mitterbauer(at)vetmeduni.ac.at).

Translations into other languages are solely for information purposes. The version advertised in the University Bulletin (Mitteilungsblatt) is the only one that is legally binding.

Contact for further information

Univ. Prof. Dr. Mathias Müller

+43 1 25077 - 5620

mathias.mueller(at)vetmeduni.ac.at

www.vetmeduni.ac.at