Post-Doc in brain data science at the Center for Brain Research (CBR)
Position: Post-Doc
Deadline: 31st July 2025
Expected Starting Date: October 2025 (flexible)
Duration: 3 years
Location: Vienna, Austria
Institution: Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna
Department: Neuronal Cell Biology
Description:
Emotions are a central part of our mental self, shaping perception, memories, and behaviors (Pfaff et al., 2019). As part of the Cluster of Excellence “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease”, the Haubensak Laboratory in Vienna, is seeking an enthusiastic postdoc interested in pioneering novel multidisciplinary approaches using circuit- and computational neuroscience tools to deconstruct how neuronal circuits process affective information. For more details on our research activities, please visit http://cbr.meduniwien.ac.at/organisation/dept-neuronal-cell-biology/home and https://www.imp.ac.at/groups/wulf-haubensak.
Main activities and tasks:
As a postdoc in the Haubensak Lab, you will be part of our quest to understand inhibitory designs in cortico-limbic networks and their neurogenetic modulation. Building on comparative brain data science in humans and animal models (Ganglberger et al., 2018, 2024), you will investigate in silico how inhibitory motifs control cortico-limbic interactions and affective traits within populations and across species (Kaczanowska et al., 2022; Piszczek et al., 2022). The successful applicant is additionally expected to collaborate with fellow researchers on brain data science, show their work in international conferences and meetings and participate in public outreach events.
Your Profile:
· Academic education in natural sciences, computer science or medicine.
· MD or PhD degree with specialization in neuroscience, neurogenetics or data science
· Outstanding knowledge of statistical software and high-level programming languages (e.g., R & Python) is essential.
· Experience in neuroscience data modelling, database management and pattern identification would be an advantage.
· A track record of relevant publications.
· Proven ability to conduct independent research and work effectively as a team member.
· Excellent command of English is necessary.
Our offer:
This is a full-time (40hrs/week) position with a monthly gross salary of 4,932.90 EUR. The Medical University of Vienna provides excellent employee benefits including full insurance coverage (health, accident, retirement). As one of Europe’s leading academic centers, we additionally offer career-development programs for academic research and teaching. Further, as a post-doc you will have the opportunity become a member of the Excellent Brains Program, an umbrella program of the prestigious interdisciplinary and international FWF Cluster of Excellence.
The Medical University of Vienna aims to increase representation, especially in scientific and management positions. We expressly encourage qualified minorities to apply. It would be great to welcome you as an independent and communicative member of our team, with enthusiasm to shape our interactive environment and workflows for interdisciplinary neuroscience.
For more information about the application process or the research of our Department, please contact us by email at wulf.haubensak@meduniwien.ac.at and apply directly to the general call via the Excellent Brains website.
Relevant publications:
Ganglberger, F., Kaczanowska, J., Penninger, J. M., Hess, A., Bühler, K., & Haubensak, W. (2018). Predicting functional neuroanatomical maps from fusing brain networks with genetic information. NeuroImage, 170, 113–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.08.070
Ganglberger, F., Kargl, D., Töpfer, M., Hernandez-Lallement, J., Lawless, N., Fernandez-Albert, F., Haubensak, W., & Bühler, K. (2024). BrainTACO: An explorable multi-scale multi-modal brain transcriptomic and connectivity data resource. Communications Biology, 7(1), 730. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06355-7
Kaczanowska, J., Ganglberger, F., Chernomor, O., Kargl, D., Galik, B., Hess, A., Moodley, Y., von Haeseler, A., Bühler, K., & Haubensak, W. (2022). Molecular archaeology of human cognitive traits. Cell Reports, 40(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111287
Pfaff, D., Tabansky, I., & Haubensak, W. (2019). Tinbergen’s challenge for the neuroscience of behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116(20), 9704–9710. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1903589116
Piszczek, L., Constantinescu, A., Kargl, D., Lazovic, J., Pekcec, A., Nicholson, J. R., & Haubensak, W. (2022). Dissociation of impulsive traits by subthalamic metabotropic glutamate receptor 4. eLife, 11, 1–37. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.62123
Department: Division of Neuronal Cell Biology
Contact: Haubensak, Wulf, Univ.-Prof. Dr.
PhD in circuit neuroscience at the Center for Brain Research (CBR)
Position: PhD Student
Deadline: 10th July 2025
Expected Starting Date: October 2025 (flexible)
Duration: 4 years
Location: Vienna, Austria
Institution: Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna
Department: Neuronal Cell Biology
Description:
Emotions are a central part of our mental self, shaping perception, memories, and behaviors (Pfaff et al., 2019). The Haubensak Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated PhD student to pioneer novel multidisciplinary approaches towards understanding the emotional brain, as part of the Cluster of Excellence “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease”. We use circuit and computational neuroscience to deconstruct how neuronal circuits process affective information. For more details on our research activities, please visit http://cbr.meduniwien.ac.at/organisation/dept-neuronal-cell-biology/home and https://www.imp.ac.at/groups/wulf-haubensak.
Main activities and tasks:
This PhD project will be an integral part in our quest to understand inhibitory designs in cortico-limbic networks and their neurogenetic modulation. Using state of the art circuit neuroscience in animal models (circuit tracing, calcium imaging, optogenetics and behavioral profiling), the successful candidate will investigate how interoceptive set points emerge from inhibitory circuit motifs and control cortico-limbic interactions and affective states in health and disease (Kargl et al., 2020; Sladky et al., 2024). PhD students at the Medical University are additionally required to attend several lectures and workshops per semester, participate in student activities organized by the Center for Brain Research and present their work to fellow academics in local and international conferences.
Your Profile:
· Undergraduate degree in natural sciences or medicine.
· Master/Diploma with specialization in neuroscience.
· Interest in affective neuroscience and animal behavior.
· Experience with basic laboratory techniques, behavioral profiling, and/or rodent handling is an advantage.
· FELASA certificate (or equivalent) is an advantage.
· Excellent command of English, written and spoken.
· You are able to work independently and as a team member.
Our offer:
This is a full-time (30hrs/week) position with a monthly gross salary of 2,786.10 EUR. The Medical University of Vienna offers an international, multicultural environment in the most livable city in the world. As a PhD student, you will become a member of the Excellent Brains Program, an umbrella program of the prestigious interdisciplinary and international FWF Cluster of Excellence and PhD Neuroscience Program at the Medical University of Vienna
The Medical University of Vienna aims to increase representation, especially in scientific and management positions. We expressly encourage qualified minorities to apply. It would be great to welcome you as an independent and communicative member of our team, with enthusiasm to shape our interactive environment and workflows for interdisciplinary neuroscience.
For more information about the application process or the research of our Department, please contact us by email at wulf.haubensak@meduniwien.ac.at. Please apply directly to the general call via the Excellent Brains website!
Relevant literature:
Kargl, D., Kaczanowska, J., Ulonska, S., Groessl, F., Piszczek, L., Lazovic, J., Buehler, K., & Haubensak, W. (2020). The amygdala instructs insular feedback for affective learning. eLife 2020;9:E60336, 9, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.60336
Pfaff, D., Tabansky, I., & Haubensak, W. (2019). Tinbergen’s challenge for the neuroscience of behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116(20), 9704–9710. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1903589116
Sladky, R., Kargl, D., Haubensak, W., & Lamm, C. (2024). An active inference perspective for the amygdala complex. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 28(3), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2023.11.004
Department: Division of Neuronal Cell Biology
Contact: Haubensak, Wulf, Univ.-Prof. Dr.
PhD opportunity in Neuroscience
Astrocytes are increasingly recognized as active modulators of synaptic function within the central nervous system. Far from serving as passive support cells, they engage in complex neuron–glia interactions that shape sensory processing at multiple levels. The project aims at investigating how astrocytes contribute to synaptic integration and plasticity at spinal nociceptive synapses, with a particular focus on sex-specific mechanisms and glial adaptations that may underlie the transition from acute to chronic pain as well as its resolution.
We are currently inviting applications for a full-time, 4-year PhD position starting in November 2025. The successful candidate will join the Drdla-Schutting lab at the Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna (https://hirnforschung.meduniwien.ac.at/). The project will employ advanced experimental approaches to investigate astrocyte–neuron interactions in the spinal dorsal horn. Techniques will include patch-clamp electrophysiology, high-resolution imaging, chemogenetic manipulation of glial activity, and behavioral assays in rodent models.
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biology, or a related field. Prior experience in electrophysiology, microscopy, and/or behavioral neuroscience is an advantage. Proficiency in English is required. FELASA certification or an equivalent qualification for animal experimentation is considered a strong asset.
We are looking for candidates with a keen interest in neuroglial biology, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting. Applications must include a CV, a motivation letter, and the contact information of two referees.
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Neuroscience PhD Program at the Medical University of Vienna, which offers structured training in a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and international research environment—located in Vienna, consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the world.
Please contact us by e-mail at ruth.drdla@meduniwien.ac.at
Start of the position: November 2025
Limited till: 2029
Department: Division of Neurophysiology
