This PhD position at the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH) offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the genetics behind cell death and heterogeneity in the industrial yeast Komagataella phaffii (syn. Pichia pastoris). The project is part of the European Doctoral Network UPsYDe, which aims to understand and postpone yeast cell death to improve bioproduction. You will join a consortium of 13 doctoral projects, collaborating with academic and industrial partners across Europe, including secondments in Portugal and Denmark or Spain.

At ACIB, the research focuses on K. phaffii, a methylotrophic yeast widely used for recombinant protein and C1-based metabolite production. The project seeks to identify the modes of cell death occurring in K. phaffii and the genetic factors involved in cell death and culture heterogeneity during survival. Insights gained will inform metabolic models and the design of yeast strains with prolonged lifespan under industrial conditions.

Your tasks will include state-of-the-art molecular biology and cloning, cultivation of yeast in small scale and bioreactors, application and adaptation of yeast cell death assays, analysis of protein quality and quantity, and cell morphology analysis by microscopy and flow cytometry. You will communicate results to both experts and the general public, expanding your expertise and bridging science to industry.

The position is embedded within the Department of Biotechnology & Food Science at the Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, offering a supportive and internationally connected research environment. Flexible working hours, voluntary social benefits (such as meal vouchers and public transport tickets), and opportunities for further education and personal development are part of ACIB’s modern corporate culture.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related fields. Required skills include practical experience in molecular biology, synthetic biology, microbial cell engineering, bioreactor cultivation, and bioinformatics (metabolic modeling). Excellent English communication skills, attention to detail, and teamwork are essential. The European Doctoral Networks Mobility Rule applies: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Austria for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before employment.

The position is funded by Horizon Europe MSCA, with an annual gross salary of EUR 40,000 plus a monthly mobility allowance of EUR 710. The monthly net salary is EUR 2,084.04 (paid 14 times a year). The PhD duration is approximately three years, starting between June and September 2026. Two research stays (academic and industrial) are expected during the program.

To apply, submit your application via the ACIB portal at short.acib.at/01-2026 by 8 March 2026. For scientific inquiries, contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brigitte Gasser at [email protected]. ACIB is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, nationality, or religion.