Technician

Your personal sphere of influence:

The Division of Microbial Ecology at the University of Vienna’s Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science is one of the world’s leading research institutes, focusing on understanding the structure and function of microbiomes with the goal to address current global challenges from human to planetary health.

The Woebken group investigates the genomic and physiological features of soil microorganisms that allow for their survival and success. Projects explore arid soils (desert biological soil crusts) that experience extended droughts, and temperate soils that are limited in easily available carbon sources.

Your future tasks:

We are looking for a highly-motivated technician who will support our research group in microbiological and molecular biological tasks. These include (but are not limited to): lab organization, media preparation, cultivating soil microorganisms, growth and activity measurements, nucleic acids extraction, PCR and dPCR, soil sample preparation for downstream analytical measurements. A particular focus will be the generation and curation of a culture collection in the Woebken Group.

The position is initially a one-year fixed-term contract (with mutual agreement part-time position is possible). On mutual agreement a transition to a permanent position is possible thereafter.

This is part of your personality:

• Completed training in chemical engineering or biology (apprenticeship, vocational school, technical college) or equivalent training.
• Or Master’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology or related discipline.
• Highly motivated candidate with an excitement and enthusiasm for soil microbiology and for learning new methodological skills.
• Previous laboratory experience is required.
• Previous experience with bacterial growth and cultivation is ideal.
• The ability to work independently, reliability, a high degree of personal responsibility, and flexibility in performing assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate in English.
• Overall good communication skills.
• Excitement and enthusiasm for science.
• Proactivity.
• Ability to work well with others, enjoyment of working in an international team
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a large department with numerous labs.