Starting Principal Investigator at CeMM, Vienna (all genders)

Job Details

Research Area: Pain and Human Aging / Healthy Lifespan Expansion

CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, is an international top research institute performing highly cooperative, frontier research in molecular medicine. An international and creative team of scientists and medical doctors conducts curiosity‑driven basic research in a vibrant hospital environment with outstanding medical tradition.
We are recruiting two exceptionally innovative, creative, and ambitious early‑career scientists to join CeMM as Starting Principal Investigators within a new research program focused on pain, aging, and healthy lifespan expansion. Become part of our highly collaborative CeMM Faculty of 20 research group leaders contributing to the medicine of the future.

Are you a fit for CeMM?

• Are you fascinated by the biology of aging and eager to work where intellectual rigor meets multidisciplinary innovation?
• Do you want to join an international Faculty that actively supports each other’s success?
• Do you want to enhance your medically oriented research with cutting‑edge technologies?
• Do you want to translate your discoveries into meaningful impact for human health and clinical practice?

The Institute

At CeMM, you will work in a light‑filled building full of interdisciplinary scientists from around the world. With state‑of‑the‑art equipment, inspiring art spaces, and access to the expertise of the entire institute, CeMM fosters a uniquely collaborative environment with a publication culture focused on quality over quantity.
CeMM’s five principles:

• Create innovative technology
• Explore biological roots of disease
• Push opportunities into medical application
• Empower talents
• Multiply impact through sharing

You will receive direct support in formulating and submitting competitive ERC grant applications. CeMM’s partnership with the Medical University of Vienna, located within one of the world’s largest hospitals (AKH Wien), offers unparalleled clinical proximity. Vienna is consistently ranked #1 globally for quality of life.
CeMM is a member of EU‑LIFE and sister institute of AITHYRA, the new Research Institute for Biomedical AI (OeAW).
More at: www.cemm.oeaw.ac.at

The Research Area: PAIN–AGING

In modern society, increased lifespan does not always equate to prolonged health. CeMM’s new PAIN‑AGING initiative aims to understand the biological mechanisms driving healthy aging and chronic pain. The program focuses on preventing and targeting non‑communicable diseases associated with unhealthy aging, including neurodegeneration, cancer, and cardiometabolic disorders.
Research themes include:

• Biological aging
• Metaflammation
• Viral infection
• Microbiota composition
• Pain signaling pathways

Two new PIs will join a faculty already leading research in epigenetics, microbiota biology, metabolism, genomic integrity, inflammation, innovative pharmacology, and patient‑derived organoids. CeMM’s approach combines intellectual rigor with unconventional perspectives.

Whom We Are Looking For

We seek MD and/or PhD scientists with exceptional track records in pain, neurosciences, immunology, or related fields. Candidates should be ready to establish their first independent research group and pursue innovative research strongly connected to clinical relevance.
You should bring:

• Scientific excellence, originality, and a strong record of achievement
• Creative and innovative approaches to studying human pathophysiology
• Leadership potential and strong curiosity
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary mindset
• Commitment to kindness and supportive research culture

Additionally, you:

• Actively contribute to CeMM’s PhD and Pre‑ERC PostDoc Programs
• Participate in Faculty meetings and weekly scientific seminars
• Are committed to translating fundamental discoveries into clinical impact
• Enjoy working across disciplines and within diverse cultural contexts

We Offer

• Initial 5‑year contract with mid‑term review by the CeMM Scientific Advisory Board
• A starting package including:
  • Fully equipped laboratory
  • PI salary
  • 1 PhD student
  • 1 Research Technician
  • €20,000/year for consumables, facility services, and travel
  • Full support for securing additional funding
• Outstanding institutional support for ERC and other major grants; CeMM PIs have secured all ERC categories in the past decade
• Integration into the CeMM Faculty and its strong scientific network
• Competitive salary and benefits including health and pension insurance
• International, family‑friendly environment with open and inclusive culture
• Access to CeMM facilities: sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, chemical screening
• Access to top administrative and scientific support: HR & Training, Grants Office, Finance, Purchasing, PR, IP & tech transfer, cafeteria, and more

CeMM is an equal opportunity employer with >45 nationalities represented. English is the official working language. CeMM has been a leader in gender‑equality initiatives, including H2020 LIBRA, and holds the HR4Research Award.

Application Details

Applications must be in English and include:

• Curriculum Vitae with full publication list and ORCID number
• List of up to 5 most important papers with a brief description of significance and contribution (max. 100 words each)
• Funding track record or funding plans
• Names and contact details of two references
• Summary of research interests and objectives, including planned interactions within CeMM (max. 2 pages)

Please send applications to: application@cemm.at
Reference Code (subject line): CeMM PI Pain&Aging

Application Deadline: 24 April 2026
Tentative Hearing Date: 2–3 June 2026
Potential Starting Date: Autumn 2026