The Chemical Screening facility at CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, is recruiting a highly motivated Technical Assistant. You have a background in biology, chemistry or a related field and are curious to learn about working with robots and are fascinated by the possibilities of miniaturized and automated lab work? You like to use state-of-the-art lab equipment and would like to become an expert in high-throughput methods? You enjoy working on a variety of different projects in close collaboration with project partners? You have an eye for details and are eager to produce high-quality data? Then you might be the right person for this position!
You will work at our fully integrated high-throughput screening platform and will have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation (high-content automated microscope, plate reader, liquid handling workstation, plate washer, dispensers). The main responsibility will be the support of various internal and external cell-based and biochemical screening projects, including computational and wet-lab assay preparation, assay execution, basic data analysis and communication with project partners. Additional tasks include routine maintenance of screening equipment and compound libraries as well as organizational tasks, including ordering, general lab management and documentation. Thus, you will be trained to become an expert in a variety of high-throughput techniques. You will have the opportunity to work in an innovative research environment and collaborate closely with other groups at CeMM and external project partners.
Your profile
- Degree in biology, chemistry or a related field (B.Sc., M.Sc., Mag., DI, MTA, CTA)
- Experience with wet-lab techniques, including mammalian cell culture and buffer preparation
- Experience in high-throughput screening, assay development and miniaturization, bioinformatics and liquid handling are a plus but are not mandatory
- Very good command of English
- Excellent computer skills (MS office, especially Excel) are essential
- Willingness to acquire competency in specialized screen software is essential
- Basic understanding of metabolism and/or biochemistry is an advantage
- High accuracy and reliability
- Team player
- Excellent communication skills
- Organizational talent
The Chemical Screening Facility
The Chemical Screening Facility at CeMM provides internal and external researchers and project partners with access to chemical biology resources, including a 92,000 compound library as well as high-throughput and high-content screening equipment, to identify and characterize small molecules that affect new targets for studying biological processes and developing new drugs. A highly skilled and motivated team provides support during all stages, from library and compound selection to assay planning, computational and wet-lab assay preparation, assay execution and data analysis. We offer well established routine assays but also implement special methods and provide support for assay development and miniaturization. (Schick Nat Genet 2021, 2019; Licciardello Nat Chem Biol 2017, Reicher Genome Res 2020)
About the Institute
CeMM is one of Europe’s leading biomedical research institutes. CeMM researchers routinely publish important discoveries in top journals. Over the last seven years, this included >10 papers in Nature/Cell/Science/NEJM and >30 papers in Nature/Cell sister journals – with a team of 120-150 scientists. Research at CeMM is exceptionally collaborative and has strong focus on medical impact, based on a profound molecular understanding of diseases such as cancer and immune disorders. CeMM is part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a founding member of EU-LIFE. It is located at the center of one of the largest medical campuses in Europe, within walking distance of Vienna’s historical city center. A study by “The Scientist” put CeMM among the top-5 best places to work in academia worldwide (https://www.the-scientist.com/features/best-places-to-work-academia-2012-40676). Vienna is frequently ranked the world’s best city to live. It is a United Nations city with a large English-speaking community. The official language at CeMM is English, and >49 different nationalities are represented at the institute. CeMM promotes equal opportunity and harbors a mix of different talents, backgrounds, competences, and interests.
We offer
- Work within an experienced, interdisciplinary, and international team at one of Austria’s leading research institutes
- Ample opportunities to contribute and gain experience in a key area of biomedical research and precision medicine
- An inspiring workplace with an international setting, strong team spirit, and an excellent work climate
- A wide range of social, cultural, and sports activities organized by the institute
- Excellent employee benefits including full insurance coverage (health, accident, retirement), health care services, subsidized cafeteria
- Starting annual gross salary of at least EUR 32,000 (the salary will reflect the successful candidate’s qualifications and can be higher)
- Support for relocating to Vienna is provided (relocation reimbursement, visa support, etc.)
Please apply online (https://cemm.jobbase.io/job/27s9obr9) with cover letter, CV and contact details of 2 referees. Any application received by 10 January 2022 will be considered.