We regularly have openings for incoming PhD students or postdocs. Applications for the PhD programme are collected through the Grad School, with a deadline in early January. Our lab participates in the ISTernship programme to work with us for a few months (usually in late spring/summer).
Join our team to explore the connection between protein dynamics and function, using atomic-level insights from NMR spectroscopy alongside advanced structural (cryo-EM), biophysical, and biochemical methods.
Our lab is a great fit for you if you:
- Have a solid background in biochemistry, molecular biology, or protein production.
- Are deeply interested in structural biology.
- Have programming skills (not mandatory, but they’re a big plus).
- Bring experience with structural-biology techniques, molecular dynamics simulations, or other biophysical methods (welcome but not required).
What we offer:
We are a diverse, international team that values curiosity, creativity, respect, and a collaborative work environment where every member has the opportunity to learn and grow.
Our group is based at IST Austria, just outside Vienna—a city consistently ranked among the world’s most livable. At IST Austria, English is the working language. We have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including:
- Brand-new NMR spectrometers (600, 700, 800 MHz) with solution- & solid-state.
- Cutting edge facilities, including cryo-EM, imaging computation,…
- Extensive resources for protein production and characterization.
As part of ISTA’s rapidly growing research community, you’ll benefit from a rich, interdisciplinary environment. You’ll have opportunities to connect with experts in cryo-EM, electron tomography, machine learning, protein design, developmental biology, and more. Weekly joint seminars and collaborative projects make it an ideal setting for a young researcher aiming for an academic career.
Graduate School Program
As a PhD student you will join ISTA’s Graduate School program, which offers:
- A supportive academic and social environment throughout your PhD journey.
- Rotations in other research groups to broaden your expertise.
- A medium-sized, collegial cohort of fellow PhD students.
Currently we do not have Postdoc openings — but if you want to inquire, send us an email, maybe we just got funding!
When reaching out to us, please be as clear as possible about why you want to join our team and what aspects of our research excite you the most. Take a moment to explore our ongoing projects and let us know how your background and interests align with the work we do. You can find Paul Schanda’s contact details on our institute group page.