Postdoctoral Researchers in Pediatric Cancer & Translational Control (FWF Emerging Fields Consortium) St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung e.V. in Austria

Postdoctoral researchers are invited to join an FWF Emerging Fields Consortium focused on pediatric cancer biology, ribosome biology, and translational control. The consortium brings together six complementary research groups across leading biomedical institutions in Vienna to study how translation regulation shapes cancer development and therapy resistance in children and adolescents with solid and hematological malignancies.

The project integrates genomic, proteomic, biochemical, structural, and functional genomics approaches to decode cancer-specific mechanisms of translational regulation, including the so-called “ribosome code,” and to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. This is a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning pediatric cancer, RNA biology, ribosome biology, proteomics, structural biology, chromatin biology, and leukemia research.

Participating research groups include:
• Elif Karagöz (Max Perutz Labs / Medical University of Vienna) — translational regulation during cellular stress; CLIP-seq, RNA-seq, Ribo-seq, and genetic screens.
• Eleni Tomazou (St. Anna CCRI / Medical University of Vienna) — fusion-driven pediatric sarcomas and Ewing sarcoma; sequencing, STED microscopy, patient material, and Nanopore-based expertise from Jason Sims.
• Sebastian Falk (Max Perutz Labs / University of Vienna) — RNA metabolism, nuclear RNA degradation, pre-rRNA processing, cryo-EM, and structural modelling.
• Florian Grebien (Vetmeduni / St. Anna CCRI / CeMM) — pediatric cancer oncoproteins, translation-linked drug response, CRISPR screening, mass spectrometry, microscopy, and live-cell imaging.
• Marco Hein (Max Perutz Labs / Medical University of Vienna) — systems biology, proteomics, and functional genomics, including CRISPR perturbations and single-cell transcriptomics.
• Davide Seruggia (St. Anna CCRI / CeMM) — chromatin biology, epigenetics, leukemia, and multiple CRISPR screening strategies.

Applicants must hold a PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, genomics, bioinformatics, structural biology, or a related field. The posting looks for a strong scientific track record, relevant research experience in at least one participating area, strong interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research, independence, and excellent written and spoken English.

The positions are full-time, temporary postdoctoral roles based in Vienna, Austria. The consortium is funded by the FWF and offers access to state-of-the-art technologies and an international biomedical research environment. Applications are collected centrally for consideration by the host institutions.

Application deadline: 2026-11-15.

How to apply: Submit a one-page research statement describing your interests and how they connect to the consortium, indicate your two preferred research groups, and provide your CV, two academic referees, and publication list via the online application portal.