Early-Stage Researcher – PhD Student (m/f/d)

30 hrs./week
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Offer description

The advertised position is part of a Horizon Europe project called “Linking Brain, Environment and Ecosystems Through Holistic Omics and Validated Evidence-based Nutrition Guidelines" (BEETHOVEN), using a multidisciplinary approach to study the connection between nutrition and mental health and to develop evidence-based nutritional guidelines for mental health management. The PhD student will be tasked with conducting methods research to advance the methodological approaches used in evidence synthesis in nutrition research and the development of evidence-based nutritional guidelines.

Your tasks

• Advance Evidence Synthesis Methods with a Special Focus on Evidence Synthesis Methods in Nutrition Research: Independently conduct scientific research aimed at advancing the methodologies used to conduct evidence synthesis in nutrition research and the development of evidence-based nutritional guidelines.
• Co-Investigator Contribution: Actively contribute as a co-investigator to the BEETHOVEN project.
• Participation and Completion of PhD courses according to the curriculum Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research
• Educational Contributions: Teach courses in clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine to undergraduate students, supervise bachelor theses.
• Research Dissemination: Publish research findings in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Conference Participation: Engage actively in both national and international conferences, presenting research findings and networking with peers in the scientific community.
• International Research Collaborations: Participate in global research collaborations, such as those with Cochrane or JBI, while pursuing and completing a PhD in Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research within a three-year timeframe.
• PhD Dissertation: Complete and submit a cumulative PhD dissertation in Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research within a three-year timeframe.

Your profile

We require evidence of the following qualifications for the application:

• Completion of a diploma or master's degree in a field related to health sciences (latest completion date 31.8.2026)
• Basic knowledge in the concepts of evidence-based medicine/practice, public health or epidemiology, demonstrated by successful completion of relevant course work or work experience
• Proficiency in scientific writing, demonstrated by scientific publications or master thesis
• Very good command of spoken and written English (mind. B2)

In addition, the following criteria are desirable:

• Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
• Experience in qualitative and/ or quantitative evidence synthesis
• Academic achievements, such as publications, presentations, or awards
• Flexibility, resilience, and ability to collaborate effectively within a team
• Command of the German language (min. B2) is a plus

Your perspective

• Part-time position (30 hours/week) initially limited until 30th September 2029
• Minimum salary of EUR 3,776.10 gross per month (14x) on a full-time basis
• Classification as a scientific project staff member according to § 49 VwGr. B1, Kollektivvertrag für Universitäten (collective agreement for universities)
• Innovative and modern working environment at the Campus Krems
• Possibility of home office and mobile working (max. 42% of working hours)
• Extensive benefits such as: very good further training opportunities as part of our own study programs, a wide range of company health promotion programs and the University Sports Institute (USI)

We look forward to receiving your online application by 14 May 2026 via our online tool: https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/vacancies

Your application should include:

• Letter of motivation (max. two pages)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Certificates of degrees and transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation (with at least one from a person who has supervised you during a scientific project)
• A short research exposé (max. two pages) addressing the methodological research problem. Please find the instructions here