Research Technician / Lab Manager at the University of Vienna

About the Falk Lab

The Falk Lab is seeking a Research Technician/Lab Manager to support our research and keep our lab running smoothly.

We are interested in protein complexes and molecular machines involved in RNA interference and RNA metabolism. To study them, we produce and purify their individual subunits, reconstitute the complexes in vitro, and characterize them structurally using cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, complemented by biochemical and biophysical assays, to understand how these machines recognize and process their RNA substrates.

For further details about the Falk lab, please visit https://www.maxperutzlabs.ac.at/research/research-groups/falk.

About the position

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist to play an active role in our research activities and to take responsibility for the day-to-day organization of the lab. Key responsibilities will include:

Research

• Cloning of plasmids for the production of recombinant proteins.

• Expression of proteins in E. coli and insect cells, and, where required, in mammalian cell culture.

• Purification of proteins and protein complexes using a range of chromatographic methods (ÄKTA systems).

• Characterization of proteins and protein complexes using biochemical and biophysical techniques.

• Crystallization of proteins and protein complexes.

• Preparing buffers and molecular biology reagents for shared use in the lab.

• Maintaining shared protocols, equipment, and standard operating procedures, and training team members in the use of specialized equipment.

Lab Administration

• Gathering and placing lab orders, collecting receipts, and monitoring expenditures.

• Managing lab stocks, databases, records, and inventory.

• Acting as a point of contact for communications with technicians/sales representatives.

• Acting as the responsible person for toxic waste disposal.

• Assisting with the onboarding of new team members.

The successful candidates should

• Hold a Master's degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related discipline. Candidates holding a PhD are also highly considered.

• Have at least 2 years of hands-on experience in a research lab (for candidates with a Master's).

• Have experience with molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and protein purification. Experience with ÄKTA chromatography systems, insect cell culture, and biophysical characterization of proteins is highly desired but not essential.

• Be self-motivated and able to perform complex tasks effectively and independently.

• Have exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Have excellent oral / written English communication skills; German is an advantage.

• Be able to work effectively in a team.

We are looking for someone

• who is excited by science and enjoys working with proteins

• who is creative, critical, and communicative

• who takes pride in a well-organized and well-run lab

Application

• A motivation letter.

• A CV with a detailed description of your work experience, including contact details for at least two references.

Please submit your application package to sebastian.falk@univie.ac.at with the subject line ‚Application Lab Manager‘. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The position is available immediately.

Initially a two-year fixed-term contract, with the option of extension to a permanent position.

Salary will be determined according to the University "Kollektivvertrag", based on qualifications and experience: https://personalwesen.univie.ac.at/jobs-recruiting/gehaltsschema/

About the Max Perutz Labs

The Max Perutz Labs are a research institute established by the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna to provide an environment for excellent, internationally recognized research and education in the field of Molecular Biology. Dedicated to a mechanistic understanding of fundamental biomedical processes, scientists at the Max Perutz Labs aim to link breakthroughs in basic research to advances in human health. The Max Perutz Labs are located at the Vienna BioCenter, one of Europe’s hotspots for Life Sciences, and host around 40 research groups, involving approximately 450 scientists and staff from more than 50 nations.

www.maxperutzlabs.ac.at