The next PhD program at CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in Vienna, starting in October 2015 looking for exceptionally motivated PhD candidates with a keen interest in genomics and medicine and a strong interest to work in teams.The 2015 CeMM PhD program will focus on two thematic areas: infection and cancer, that are built on the pillars of epigenetics, bioinformatics and systems biology, chemical biology and the mechanism of action of drugs, high-throughput genetics, genomics and proteomics, and molecular and cell biology.
About CeMM Research Center
- The choice of this strategic focus rests on the synergies between immunology, infection and cancer in pathophysiological and technological terms. It furthermore reflects the strength of the current CeMM faculty, itself built around the historical and contemporary expertise in immunology and cancer of the Medical University of Vienna.
- As a CeMM PhD student you will get the chance to work at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary molecular medicine research and be trained by the entire CeMM and associated faculty to become one of the scientists shaping the future of molecular medicine.
Requirements
To be eligible to enroll in the CeMM PhD program all candidates are required to have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in medicine, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, mathematics or any scientific/technical, subject-relevant degree. Candidates applying with a Bachelor's degree must have completed a four year course and need to demonstrate that they have acquired a significant amount of research experience. In addition they must achieve a first class honors or a 2:1.
- Candidates do not need to have completed their degree at the time of application, however they must obtain their final degree certificate by the end of September.
- The working language at CeMM is English, so excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.
Application Process
- All candidates are required to complete an online application form.
- Before you can submit your application, at least one of your referees must have completed an online reference.
- A second reference must be submitted by the final submission deadline for your application to be considered.
- All the submitted applications are reviewed by the CeMM Faculty and selected candidates are invited to participate in a video interview.
- Shortlisted candidates are then invited to Vienna for the PhD hearing in May. All candidates are asked to introduce themselves through a presentation followed by three panel interviews with CeMM Faculty members. There is also the opportunity to meet other research group members and attend an informal dinner.
- Positions are offered by CeMM Faculty in May. The Program start date is October 1st, 2015, at the latest.
Application Timeline
The tentative application timeline for our next PhD Program, starting in October 2015, is as follows:
| Call opens | 9th January 2015 |
| Submission deadline | 9th March 2015 |
| Video interviews | 23rd – 30th March 2015 |
| PhD hearing | 20th – 22nd May 2015 |
| Start date | 1st October 2015 |
Contact
| Catherine Lloyd, Ph.D. PhD and Postdoc Program Manager [email protected] Binia Maria Meixner, BEd BA Human Resources Manager [email protected] |
The PhD Program will train a new generation of researchers
The PhD Program will train a new generation of researchers for the medicine of the future.
- CeMM is an international, independent and interdisciplinary Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. “From the clinic to the clinic”: Driven by medical needs, CeMM integrates basic research and clinical expertise to pursue innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches focused on cancer, inflammation and immune disorders.
- The PhD Program will train a new generation of researchers based on a novel, post-genomic, molecular understanding of biological and pathological systems and will thereby contribute to shaping the predictive, preventive and personalized (also termed “precise”) medicine of the future. To reach this goal, students will be made familiar not only with biomedical technologies, but also with the basic principles of cell- and molecular biology and the application of this knowledge for a molecular understanding of diseases and targeted therapeutic concepts. The PhD students will also learn how to navigate the complexity of translationally-minded multidisciplinary biomedical projects at the level of communication and management.
Why choose CeMM?
CeMM quality
- CeMM is in many respects an unusual institution with ambitious long-term goals in reshaping the medical research landscape. The institute measures its performance by the quality and originality of the publications as well as by its ability to carry out projects with the medical university/general hospital that speak to potential diagnostic and therapeutic innovation. CeMM offers possibilities to work in a truly supportive environment that provides access to the latest molecular technologies and fosters cutting-edge research in an international, English-speaking, non-hierarchical environment, where medical doctors, veterinary doctors, biologists, chemists, engineers and mathematicians work side by side on a collegial, first-name basis. CeMM represents a cultural “oasis” that, in essence, equals going abroad in terms of cultural experience. According to a 2012 study by “The Scientist”, CeMM was ranked as the best academic workplace in Europe, and the fourth best in the world.
Fully funded for four years
- CeMM PhD students are awarded a generous scholarship covering research costs, university fees, work-related travel, salary and health insurance for 4 years. The successful candidates will be paid according to the standards of the FWF - Austrian Science Fund, and will be fully insured by the WGKK (accident, health, pension).
Access to top technology
- CeMM offers a range of cutting-edge technological platforms for modern post-genomic methods - including deep sequencing, proteomics, chemical biology, a virology lab and access to imaging and sorting, biological-chip technologies and bioinformatics. CeMM’s expertise and state-of-the-art instrumentation are accessible to all its employees. Emphasis is given to unusually strong support through freedom and scientific infrastructure as well as supervision and administrative services that are needed to carry out the proposed project for the entire duration of the PhD Program.
Translational research
- CeMM’s mission is to combine insight obtained from basic and clinical research and use it to implement the development of innovative therapeutic and diagnostic strategies – from the clinic to the clinic. CeMM is positioned in medically-oriented research. In its short history it has published a growing series of “translationally” relevant publications (e.g. a Nature paper on acute macular degeneration mechanism by Weisman et al, or a NEJM paper that brings hope to many MPN patients; a newly identified mutation fills the gap in the molecular pathogenesis of MPN by Klampfl et al).
Inter-group collaboration
- With 13 successful research groups on-site, CeMM’s students benefit from the experience and expertise of a diverse range of research scientists. CeMM offers a collaborative culture, according to which students, postdocs and PIs contribute their expertise generously while accessing the expertise of all others in a modular fashion to lead multi-disciplinary projects efficiently and professionally.
Integrated campus
- Located at the campus of the Medical University and the Vienna General Hospital, Austria’s largest medical research complex, CeMM functions as bidirectional channel between basic research and clinical applications. CeMM has multiple cooperation agreements with the Medical University of Vienna covering several PIs with dual appointments, access to facilities, library, etc.
English speaking
- The official working language at CeMM is English – this includes all discussions and seminars, both formal and informal. German classes can be arranged for students who are keen to learn. CeMM has a strong intellectual environment that stems from the international nature of its employees (currently 31 nationalities represented). Diversity and different cultural backgrounds are a clear advantage to successful research, collaborations, and the day-to-day business.
Living in Vienna
- For 4 consecutive years Vienna has been ranked as the number one city in the world for the best quality of life.
Program Structure
- The CeMM PhD Program is a unique blend of practical training, lectures and mentoring that builds on the Medical University of Vienna’s guidelines (Doctoral Program N094). There is mandatory course work in the first year, taking 6-7 hours per week, including basic seminars and propedeutics in molecular medicine, cell biology, and ethics, dissertation seminars and regular Journal Clubs. CeMM institute-wide seminars are held every Friday where students will have the opportunity to present their work on a regular basis and receive valuable feedback from Faculty.
- In the Journal Clubs (critical paper review) students will present recently published scientific papers. Two different Journal Club formats will be established: Firstly, a PhD Program-wide Journal Club focusing on high-impact publications essential for all students irrespective of their research group. Secondly, a set of subject-specific Journal Clubs for discussion of publications relevant for the respective research group. In the latter, selected publications will come from the immediate field of the student’s research group. In general, Journal Clubs will take place once a week. It is anticipated that not only the general but also the research group-oriented Journal Clubs are open for students of all participating research groups.
Online Application for PhD Program
