PhD Programm Mental Health and Neuroscience or Tumor Biology

Students with a strong interest in Mental Health and Neuroscience or Tumor Biology are invited to apply for the available doctoral positions within the following PhD programmes:

• Mental Health and Neuroscience: Disease Mechanisms – Diagnostics and Therapy – Clinical Neuroscience

• TUMOR BIOLOGY: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Cancer Research

Karl Landsteiner University offers two excellence-oriented PhD programmes with an interdisciplinary focus on biomedical and health sciences. The programmes provide outstanding training opportunities in Mental Health and Neuroscience and Tumor Biology, integrating basic, translational, and clinical research with innovative methodological approaches. PhD candidates develop and conduct independent experimental and empirical research projects while working in an international and collaborative research environment. The programmes aim to equip future scientists with a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies, preparing them for successful careers in academia, clinical research, and related fields.

Both PhD programmes are structured around three complementary core research areas that reflect the university's scientific expertise and provide the framework for doctoral training.

Mental Health and Neuroscience

- Disease Mechanisms – Focusing on the neurobiological and neurophysiological foundations of brain disorders and the mechanisms underlying mental health and neurological diseases.

- Diagnostics and Therapy – Investigating innovative approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders through translational and clinical research.

- Clinical Neuroscience – Addressing clinical and applied neuroscience with a focus on understanding, diagnosing, and managing neurological and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.

Tumor Biology

- Basic Cancer Research – Focusing on the molecular mechanisms of cancer development, including hematological malignancies and solid tumors, as well as interactions between tumors and the immune system.

- Translational Cancer Research – Bridging basic and clinical research through molecular oncology and hematology, medical physics with a particular focus on particle therapy, and radiation oncology.

- Clinical Cancer Research – Addressing cancer diagnostics, treatment, and clinical research across a broad spectrum of tumor entities.

For the general admission requirements please refer to

https://www.kl.ac.at/de/studium-und-weiterbildung/doctoral-school/selection-procedures-and-admission-phd-degree

An excellent command of English is indispensable and will be assessed in the evaluation process. An English certificate is not mandatory for application but may be required for selected students.

For enrollment in a PhD programme at Karl Landsteiner University the tuition fee is € 3.500,- per semester for a total of 6 semesters. However, depending on the employment status of the PhD student (e.g., university or third-party funding, clinical specialist in training) a partial or full tuition fee waiver can be granted.

Applications must be received by 31 August 2026! The top candidates will be interviewed in Krems on 25 September 2026. Research will start in October 2026 at the earliest.

Overview of available research projects

I. Mental Health and Neuroscience

• Project A: Positive Psychology and Mental Health (Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Silvia Exenberger-Vanham; Co-Supervisor: Prim. Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. Martin Aigner)

• Project B: Objective smartphone use and teens' well-being (Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD Mag. Dr. Stefan Stieger)

• Project C: Phenotyping of α2δ proteins and neurogenic factors in synapse formation and neuronal differentiation (Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Gerald Obermair)

• Project D Developing novel fixation protocols for human cadaver specimens used in neurosurgical training (Supervisor: Prim. Assoc. Prof. PD Christian Dorfer, MBA)

• Project E: Personality at Work (Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heike Heidemeier)

II. TUMOR BIOLOGY

• Project F: Biomarkers in thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology (Supervisor: OA Clin. Ass. Prof. PD Dr. Bahil Darson Ghanim PhD)

• Project G: Innovative use of particle therapy (Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Piero Fossati MD; Co-Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD DI Markus Stock PhD)

• Project H: Clinical Implementation of Particle Therapy for Ventricular Tachycardia (Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD DI Markus Stock PhD)

• Project I: Modeling the bone microenvironment of solid and hematologic malignancies (Supervisor: OÄ PD Dr. Sonia Vallet; Co-Supervisor: OA Univ-Prof. PD Mag. DDr. Klaus Podar MBA)

• Project J: Identification of rationally-based treatment combination strategies against bone metastasis in solid cancer. (Supervisor: OÄ PD Dr. Sonia Vallet; Co-Supervisor: OA Univ-Prof. PD Mag. DDr. Klaus Podar MBA)

Project A: Positive Psychology and Mental Health

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Silvia Exenberger-Vanham

The supervisor’s research interests lie in the field of clinical and positive psychology, with the aim of attaining a holistic understanding of human beings. Specifically, focus is put on the exploration and examination of resilience, posttraumatic growth, well-being and trauma in children, adolescents and adults from Western and non-Western cultural backgrounds. Research questions are answered from both an emic and an etic perspective with the use of qualitative & quantitative methods, and mixed-methods designs accordingly.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding).

Methods:

Research questions are answered from both an emic and an etic perspective with the use of qualitative & quantitative methods, and mixed-methods designs accordingly.

Project B: Objective smartphone use and teens' well-being

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD Mag. Dr. Stefan Stieger

Concerns about the impact of smartphones on adolescents’ mental health are widespread. Despite some (inconsistent) evidence that more smartphone use is related to worse mental health, recent findings suggest that the harmful effect of smartphones has probably been overstated. By addressing the methodological and conceptual limitations of previous research, our study will yield more conclusive and complete knowledge about the impact of smartphones on adolescents’ mental health. Specifically, we objectively measure distinct smartphone behaviors; disentangle the extent to which smartphone use causally affects mental health, and vice versa; and consider how smartphone use may not only harm but also benefit mental health. We examine gender differences, the role of parental regulation, and the extent to which smartphone use displaces other activities.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding)

Methods: Experience Sampling Method (ESM) design using smartphones

Project C: Phenotyping of α2δ proteins and neurogenic factors in synapse formation and neuronal differentiation

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Gerald Obermair

α2δ proteins are abundantly expressed in the brain. They serve as auxiliary subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and have emerged as regulators of synaptic functions, including synapse formation, synapse differentiation, and trans-synaptic signaling. Mutations in genes encoding α2δ proteins are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia.

This PhD project will investigate the role of α2δ proteins in neuronal differentiation and synapse formation and will combine established neuronal cell culture models with novel phenotyping approaches. In collaboration with project partners, automated high-content microscopy and AI/deep-learning-supported image analysis will be used to quantify neuronal morphology and maturation, including dendrite length and branching, axon growth, synapse density, and neuronal network formation.

The project will also address the identification of novel neurogenic or synaptogenic factors, particularly secreted factors, and their effects on neuronal growth, differentiation, and synapse formation. The final scientific focus will be defined together with the PhD student.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at KL (third party funding).

Methods: primary neuronal cell culture, iPSC-derived neuronal models, high- and super-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy, automated image analysis, high-content microscopy, AI/deep-learning-supported phenotyping, molecular biology, live-cell imaging, calcium imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, protein biochemistry.

Project D: Developing novel fixation protocols for human cadaver specimens used in neurosurgical training

Supervisor: Prim. Assoc. Prof. PD Christian Dorfer, MBA

Simulating complex neurosurgical procedures is difficult due to limitations regarding cadaver specimens. Currently used fixation methods are not capable to create realistic intraoperative tissue and vessel consistency. Especially the texture of cerebral veins is quite fragile with high risk for perforation when injecting filling material. Also, the brain itself is either too stiff to mobilize or too soft for dissection depending on the used perfusion and immersion fluids. Therefore, new fixation protocols are needed in order to offer outstanding neurosurgical training necessary for e. g. epilepsy surgery. Furthermore, we aim to optimize established surgical procedures towards even more minimally invasive approaches. In relation to this research a neurosurgical skills lab will be set up at the University Hospital St. Pölten offering courses to national and international participants.

The PhD project is linked to a clinical position at university hospital St. Pölten (Facharzt/Fachärztin in Ausbildung)

Methods:

• Vessel injections, fixation and immersion techniques

• Dissection of human and animal cadaver specimens

• Optimizing established surgical approaches and procedures

• Descriptive and explorative analysis on anatomical findings

Projekt E: Personality at Work

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heike Heidemeier

The PhD position is embedded within the Department of Work and Organizational Psychology at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (Austria). The department investigates how personality and identity shape employee well-being, motivation, and performance in the workplace. Research combines theory-driven questions with rigorous quantitative methods to better understand psychological processes in organizational settings.

Depending on their interests, the candidate will contribute to one of two research projects:

• Psychological Entitlement and Interpersonal Functioning at Work: This project examines how psychological entitlement – a central component of narcissistic personality – shapes interpersonal behavior, social relationships, and self-regulatory processes in organizational contexts.

• The Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Workplace Boredom: This project investigates individual and situational factors that contribute to the emergence of boredom at work and its consequences for employee well-being.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to international research and develop advanced expertise in quantitative research methods and statistical data analysis.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding)

Methods:

The successful candidate will conduct quantitative empirical research using a range of methodological approaches, including longitudinal, diary, and experimental designs.

Project F: Biomarkers in thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology

Supervisor: OA Clin. Ass. Prof. PD Dr. Bahil Darson Ghanim PhD

Biomarkers help in decision making and estimating prognosis (prognostic biomarker) and treatment response (predictive biomarker). Thoracic surgical oncology can improve survival in lung cancer, mesothelioma, thymoma and rare diseases. The PhD research project aims to discover prognostic and predictive biomarkers for guiding tailored treatment in thoracic malignancies to achieve the best outcome for the patient.

The PhD project is linked to a clinical position at hospital Oberwart/ Department of Thoracic Surgery (Facharzt/Fachärztin in Ausbildung)

Methods:

Clinical reasearch, immunohistochemistry, statistics, ELISA

Project G: Innovative use of particle therapy

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Piero Fossati MD

Clinical applications of particle therapy and specifically of carbon ions radiotherapy focusing on Linear Energy Transfer optimization, anticipated carbon ions boost for resensitization, combination of particle therapy and immunotherapy and on biomarkers of early response to guide biologically adaptive radiotherapy

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding)

Methods:

• perform treatment planning study and retrospective evaluation of treated patients to design innovative clinical data,

• collect patient sample to identify potential biomarkers correlating with outcome

Project H: Clinical Implementation of Particle Therapy for Ventricular Tachycardia

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD DI Markus Stock PhD

Technology/methodology development for advanced particle therapy procedures in the context of ventricular tachycardia. First feasibility studies were already conducted and prepared the ground for the initiation of clinical introduction of this new treatment modality. This topic includes advanced motion management strategies as well as automated target definition concept to allow for a smooth clinical workflow.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding).

Methods:

• motion management

• automated contouring

• automated planning

• image registration

Project I: Modeling the bone microenvironment of solid and hematologic malignancies

Supervisor: OÄ PD Dr. Sonia Vallet

• Elucidation of the pathogenesis of bone metastastic disease in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (role of chemokines, interactions of tumor cells with osteoblasts and osteoclasts);

• Development of 3D models of the bone metastatic niche mimicking tumor-bone interactions;

• Analysis of the tumor-immune interactions within the bone metastatic niche;

• Identification of novel treatment strategies in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (cytokine inhibition, induction of apoptosis);

• Investigation of bone turnover in cancer patients (effects of cachexia, tumor progress, cancer therapies);

• Treatment of genitourinary cancers (renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer)

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding).

Methods:

Cell culture, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and qPCR, omics data analysis, ELISA assays, statistical analysis (including R and SPSS).

Project J: Identification of rationally based treatment combination strategies against bone metastasis in solid cancer.

Supervisor: OÄ PD Dr. Sonia Vallet

• Elucidation of the pathogenesis of bone metastastic disease in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (role of chemokines, interactions of tumor cells with osteoblasts and osteoclasts),

• Development of 3D models of the bone metastatic niche mimicking tumor-bone interactions,

• Analysis of the tumor-immune interactions within the bone metastatic niche,

• Identification of novel treatment strategies in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (cytokine inhibition, induction of apoptosis),

• Investigation of bone turnover in cancer patients (effects of cachexia, tumor progress, cancer therapies),

• Treatment of genitourinary cancers (renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer)

The PhD project is linked to a clinical position (Facharzt/Fachärztin in Ausbildung)

at university hospital Krems, Department of Internal Medicine 2

General information and application

PhD candidates need to fill out the application online in “Open Campus” and upload the associated attachment to the application.

Applications must be received by 31 August 2026!