Postgraduate Research Associate (project employment)

Extent of employment: 30 hours per week

Duration of employment: from 15th of October 2026, limited to 30th of June 2029

Workplace: 1190 Vienna

Allocation in compliance with the Collective Agreement for University Staff to job group: B1

Gross monthly salary: (depending on previous eligible experience) at least: € 2.832,10

(payable 14 times per year)

Climate change poses immense challenges to the European forests. Conifer species that are essential to forestry, such as Norway spruce, are increasingly affected by drought and pest pressure. The Project "Climate-Resilient Conifer Forests through Integrative Genomics and Phenotyping (KoniPheGe)" aims to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of adaptability and drought-stress tolerance in four key conifer species: two European species (Norway spruce, and Black pine), and two non-European species (Douglas fir, and Lebanon cedar). By combining state-of-the-art genomic analyses (e.g. Genotyping-by-Sequencing) with high-throughput phenotyping (HTPP) methods, we aim to identify adaptive genetic variation and develop practice-relevant tools for future-proof forest management. As part of our interdisciplinary team, you will make a significant contribution to uncovering the genetic basis of climate-relevan traits and translating this knowledge into practical applications. In particular, your work will help provide forest owners with scientifically sound decisionsupport for selecting climate-adapted planting material.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct drought tolerance experiments in highthroughput plant phenotyping (HTPP) facilities (Austria or Hungary)
• Analyze extensive, sensor-based data (e.g., biomass and photochemistry) to quantify variation in stress responses
• Perform genomic laboratory work, including sample collection and DNA extraction
• Execute bioinformatic analyses of genomic data, including quality control and SNP calling, to identify genetic markers
• Integrate genomic and phenotypic data through environmental and genotype-phenotype association studies (GWAS)
• Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals, present them at scientific conferences and actively participate in stakeholder communication

Required skills and qualifications

• Diploma degree in Bioinformatics, Biology, Forest sciences or other equivalent university degree
• Language skills: English (fluently written and spoken)
• Demonstrated passion for forest genetics, plant physiology, and climate change adaptation
• Keen interest in science, aspiring to pursue a PhD is desired
• A proactive, structured, and solution-oriented work style combined with excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Willingness to take business trips lasting several days to oversee experiments

Desirable skills and qualifications

• Experience in molecular biology lab skills (e.g., DNA extraction, sample preparation)
• Routines in bioinformatics: Experience with R/Python and command-line analysis in a server/HPC environment
• Experience in advance statistical analyses of large datasets
• Experience in designing and management of large-scale experiments
• Driving license B

Applications can be submitted until: 23rd of September 2026

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna seeks to increase the number of its female faculty and staff members. Therefore qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. In case of equal qualification, female candidates will be given preference unless reasons specific to an individual male candidate tilt the balance in his favour.

People with disabilities and appropriate qualifications are specifically encouraged to apply.

Please send your job application incl.

• motivation letter
• CV
• Transcripts and cerificates

to HR management, BOKU University, Peter-Jordan-Straße 70, 1190 Vienna; E-Mail: recruiting@boku.ac.at. (Reference code: 176)

We regret that we cannot reimburse applicants travel and lodging expenses incurred as part of the selection and hiring process.

www.boku.ac.at