The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni) is an internationally renowned
centre of excellence for teaching and research in veterinary medicine as well as a soughtafter
partner for cooperation. The modern campus accommodates teaching and research facilities
as well as the only veterinary teaching and research hospital in Austria and is the workplace
of around 2,300 students and 1,400 staff. Vetmeduni distinguishes itself by striving for
excellence in its teaching and research activities as well as in its service units and through its
continuous dialogue with society.

University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna
Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
www.vetmeduni.ac.at
Reference Number: 2025/0105

The Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, is looking for anAssistant Professor of “Genetic and Epigenetic Foundations of Human-Animal-Interaction” at the Messerli Research Institute of Human-Animal Interactions
in accordance with the appointment procedure for Assistant Professors established by § 99 (5) of the 2002 Universities Act
Grade: A2
Level of employment: 40 hours weekly
Length of employment: 4 years tenure-track position (i.e. permanent after positive evaluation)
Deadline for applications NEW:12.08.2025
Reference number: 2025/0105

Context
The Vetmeduni is looking for an Assistant Professor to represent the field of “Genetic and
Epigenetic Foundations of Human-Animal-Interaction” in research and teaching. The assistant
professorship is assigned to the Messerli Research Institute of Human-Animal Interactions
and thus has access to excellent, modern research and teaching facilities.
The Messerli Research Institute of Human Animal Interactions was established in 2010 with
the support of the Messerli Foundation. The institute, launched in collaboration of the
University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna and the University
of Vienna, aims to generate scientifically grounded insights into the reciprocal influence of
humans and animals. Research at the institute focuses on the scientific study of the
coexistence of humans and animals and aims to develop convincing criteria and strategies for
ethically acceptable treatment of animals. The institute is characterised by a broad
interdisciplinary approach – encompassing biology, medicine, veterinary medicine,
philosophy, psychology, ethics and law.
Reference Number: 2025/0105

The research area “Genetic and Epigenetic Foundations of Human-Animal-Interaction” aims
to make a scientific contribution to understanding the genetic and epigenetic processes
shaping human-animal interactions. In detail, the research directions should address and
answer the fundamental question of how interactions between humans and animals are
sensed on the molecular level and can trigger behavioral changes in either animals or humans,
ultimately affecting the success of their coexistence. By studying such molecular mechanisms
and environmental influences, the expected results should provide insights into how gene
regulatory networks contribute to the functioning of animals within human society or how
contact with animals and their behavior can shape gene expression as well as behavior of
humans in health or disease. The application of state-of-the-art methods from various scientific
disciplines is desired. The research program should be developed in synergy with ongoing
research directions and educational focus areas at the Messerli Research Institute, including
its partner universities.

Main Tasks
The advertised position is aimed to further expand and complement the focus of the Messerli
Research Institute and the Vetmeduni in the area of “Genetic and Epigenetic Foundations of
Human-Animal-Interaction” in order to create scientific evidence for a further development in
the areas mentioned. In this context, the establishment of an internationally visible, primarily
third-party funded research program is strived for. The successful candidate will collaborate
on an interdisciplinary basis at the Vetmeduni (within the Messerli Research Institute and with
the departments of the Vetmeduni) as well as with the participating universities at the Messerli
Research Institute. Furthermore, the jobholder is expected to network with other national and
international institutions. Other tasks include teaching in the Vetmeduni curricula, the
supervision of theses and doctoral students, as well as administrative tasks including work in
committees, cooperation with authorities and ministries and third mission activities such as the
Vetmeduni continuing education courses.

Responsibilities
• Independent development and realization of research projects
• Authoring of publications and independent acquisition and coordination of third-party funding
• Supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students
• Establishment and management of a working group in the field of “Genetic and
  Epigenetic Foundations of Human-Animal-Interaction”
• Participation in various areas of research, teaching, service and administration within the
  framework of the university organization
• Independent teaching activities in the study programmes of Vetmeduni
• Willingness to participate in the knowledge transfer and to promote early career
  researchers in the spirit of the social responsibility of the Vetmeduni
• Actively pursuing the strategic objectives of the Messerli Research Institute for Human-
  Animal Interactions, the Department and the Vetmeduni.

Required education, qualifications and experience
• Completed studies in natural sciences and doctorate / PhD in a relevant field
• At least 2 years of PostDoc-experience in a relevant field
• Outstanding publication track record in line with the career level
• Experience in the acquisition of third-party funds in line with the career level
• Experience with national and international research collaborations
• Teaching experience
• Postgraduate research experience at least at one other university/research institution for
  at least twelve months in total
• Good English level (B2)
  Additional desired qualifications and skills
• Experience in the supervision of postgraduate students
• Proof of successful acquisition of third-party funding
• Experience in managing a research group
• Proof of university didactic training programmes
• Open to and experience with new multimedia teaching methods
• An enthusiastic and committed team player
• Open to inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary joint working
• Excellent communication skills
• Good German level (B2)

What we offer
• Top university: Vetmeduni is one of the leading academic education and research
  institutions in veterinary medicine in Europe
• Stable employer
• Attractive campus
• Personal and professional training and development opportunities
• Health care
• Diversity and family-friendly university culture
• Children’s day-care and holiday care options
• Numerous attractive fringe benefits
• Employee events

The Position
The position of Assistant Professor with a qualification (i.e. tenure-track) agreement (according
to § 27 of the collective contract (Kollektivvertrag) for university employees) is initially limited
to a duration of 4 years. After fulfilment of the agreed qualification goals, the contract will be
of an unlimited duration as Associate Professor.
Reference Number: 2025/0105

Minimum salary
The minimum salary for university staff is regulated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement
for University Staff and at the A2 level amounts to EUR 5,012.70 gross. The salary increases
to EUR 6,285.80 gross when the provisions of the qualification agreement are met.

Applications
Please submit your application in English, noting the reference number 2025/0105, by e-mail
to bewerbungen@vetmeduni.ac.at to the Personnel Department of the University of Veterinary
Medicine Vienna. Please do not forget to include the reference number or we will be unable to
relate your application to the correct vacancy announcement.

Application documents in English language must include:
1. Letter of application with a brief description of
• Current research interests and research plan for the next four years, and anticipated
  advancement for the field
• Concept for academic teaching and supervision of young researchers
• Contribution to the scientific profile of the Messerli Research Institute for Human-
  Animal Interactions, the Department and the Vetmeduni
2. Curriculum vitae including
• Information on selected research esteem factors (e.g. publication quality, impact,
  collaborations, invited talks) and recognition of excellence
• List of external funds acquired (topic, funding agency, budget, duration, role in the
  project) and currently submitted or unsuccessful grant applications
• Overview of academic teaching and supervised theses, especially PhD theses
• Experience in the organization and management of team, staff and students
• Evidence of knowledge transfer including services and provision of expertise beyond
  the scientific community and other significant impact
3.Further documents to prove the required education, qualifications and experience
  described as necessary in the vacancy announcement
4. Names and contact information of three references
5. If available: Proof of having received personal funding as part of an excellence program
  Presentations and interviews with the candidates are scheduled for October 2025 (likely in
  calendar week 43).
The Vetmeduni aims to increase the proportion of women among scientific and general
university staff, especially in management positions, and therefore explicitly invites qualified
women to apply. In the case of underrepresentation of women, female applicants who are
equally suitable as the best-suited male competitor will be given priority, unless reasons
relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

There is no fee required for submitting an application. Applicants have no entitlement to
reimbursement of any travel or accommodation expenses they may incur as a result of the
application procedure. As a proud holder of the “hochschuleundfamilie” (“University and Family”) certificate,
Vetmeduni welcomes applications from candidates with family responsibilities. We also
encourage people with disabilities to apply. Translations into other languages are solely for information purposes. The version advertised in the University Bulletin (Mitteilungsblatt) is the only one that is legally binding.

Vice Rector Univ. Prof.in Dr.in Martina Marchetti-Deschmann
Contact for further information
Mag.a Stephanie Arzberger, Bakk.a
+43 1 25077 - 1001
stephanie.arzberger@vetmeduni.ac.at
www.vetmeduni.ac.at