PhD positions

We are recruiting PhD students to work with us within the AIPN research platform! Currently 4 positions in different aspects of the research platform are open:

• Multi-Omics, Metabolomics, clinical studies  (supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Wolfram Weckwerth )
• Machine learning for personalized nutrition (supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Steffen Waldherr)
• Nutritional Physiology, Personalized Nutrition (supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Karl-Heinz Wagner)
• Psychology and behavioral science (supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Laura König)
• Microbiome Science  (supervisor: Univ.-Prof. David Berry)

For these positions, the application process is through the University of Vienna PhD application platform
STEM Call: Doctoral Positions in the Life Sciences and Natural Sciences

You are welcome to contact individual supervisors with questions about the positions, but a formal application can only be submitted through the University’s recruitment portal linked above. Initial applications by email are also welcome.

In your application documents, please specify which topic / supervisor from the above list you are applying for.

Duration of Contract: The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

Working hours: 30 hours per week

Contact: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Weckwerth wolfram.weckwerth(at)univie.ac.at

Tasks:

• Conduct research within the AIPN framework, focusing on personalized nutrition, multi‑omics, and AI‑based modeling
• Design and perform nutritional intervention studies or laboratory experiments (depending on background)
• Generate, process, and analyze metabolomics, and other multi‑omics datasets
• Present research results at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals
• Supervise students
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team and contribute to the conceptual development of next‑generation nutrition research

Your Profile:

We welcome applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds, including:

• Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology
• Nutrition Science, Food Science, Public Health
• Metabolomics, Proteomics, Microbiome Research
• Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, AI
• Biomedical or medical sciences

You bring:

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research
• Curiosity for complex biological systems and human health
• Motivation to work with multi‑omics data, AI models, or human‑centered research
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines
• High intrinsic motivation and scientific curiosity

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Waldherr steffen.waldherr(at)univie.ac.at 

Tasks:

• Conduct research within the AIPN framework, focusing on personalized nutrition, multi omics, and AI based modeling
• Analyze metabolomics and other multi omics datasets
• Develop and train machine learning models for predicting individual nutritional responses
• Integrate biochemical, behavioral, and computational data into predictive frameworks
• Present research results at conferences and publish in peer reviewed journals
• Supervise students for lab projects and master theses
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team and contribute to the conceptual development of next generation nutrition research

Your Profile:

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, including Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Food technology, Biotechnology, Computer Science, or Data Science.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research
• Previous experience in machine learning, ideally with life science datasets
• Curiosity for complex biological systems and human health
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines
• High intrinsic motivation and scientific curiosity

Contact: Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Wagner karl-heinz.wagner(at)univie.ac.at 

Tasks:

• Conduct research within the AIPN framework, focusing on personalized nutrition, multi‑omics, and AI‑based modeling
• Design and perform nutritional intervention studies or laboratory experiments (depending on background)
• Generate, process, and analyze metabolomics, and other multi‑omics datasets
• Present research results at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals
• Supervise students
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team and contribute to the conceptual development of next‑generation nutrition research

Your Profile:

We welcome applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds, including:

• Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology
• Nutrition Science, Food Science, Public Health
• Metabolomics, Proteomics, Microbiome Research
• Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, AI
• Biomedical or medical sciences

You bring:

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research
• Curiosity for complex biological systems and human health
• Motivation to work with multi‑omics data, AI models, or human‑centered research
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines
• High intrinsic motivation and scientific curiosity

Contact: Prof. Dr. Laura König laura.koenig(at)univie.ac.at 

Tasks:

• Conduct research within the AIPN framework, focusing on personalized nutrition, multi‑omics, and AI‑based modeling
• Design and perform nutritional intervention studies or laboratory experiments (depending on background)
• Generate, process, and analyze metabolomics, and other multi‑omics datasets
• Apply machine‑learning models for predicting individual nutritional responses
• Integrate biochemical, behavioral, and computational data into predictive frameworks
• Present research results at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals
• Supervise students
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team and contribute to the conceptual development of next‑generation nutrition research

Your Profile:

We welcome applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds, including:

• Psychology, Behavioral Science
• Nutrition Science, Food Science, Public Health
• Human-Computer-Interaction, Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, AI
• Biomedical or medical sciences

You bring:

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research
• Curiosity for complex human health behaviors and their underlying psychological mechanisms
• Motivation to use both quantitative and qualitative research methods including ecological momentary assessments/ interventions and qualitative interviews
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines
• High intrinsic motivation and scientific curiosity
• Very good English skills, both orally and in writing. Good German skills are desirable but not required.

Contact: Prof. Dr. David Berry david.berry(at)univie.ac.at
Please contact Prof. Berry per mail if you are interested! (Position is not listed on STEM call)

You will join a highly interdisciplinary and internationally visible research environment at the University of Vienna, embedded in the Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, and the broader AIPN research network. You will collaborate closely with experts in the AIPN research platform. You will have access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms, computational infrastructure, and a vibrant scientific community.

Your Tasks:

• Conduct research within the AIPN framework, focusing on personalized nutrition, microbiome science, multi-omics, and AI-based modeling
• Design and perform nutritional intervention studies or laboratory experiments (depending on background)
• Generate, process, and analyze microbiome data, and other multi-omics datasets
• Apply machine-learning models for predicting individual nutritional responses
• Integrate biochemical, behavioral, and computational data into predictive frameworks
• Present research results at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Supervise students
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team and contribute to the conceptual development of next-generation nutrition research

Your Profile:

We welcome applicants with a background in microbiology, molecular biology, and microbiome science. Theoretical and practical experience in microbial physiology, anaerobic microbiology, molecular techniques, biofionforamtics, and microbiome sequence analysis is advantageous.

You bring:

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research
• Curiosity for complex biological systems and human health
• Motivation to work with multi-omics data, AI models, or human-centered research
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines
• High intrinsic motivation and scientific curiosity

What We Offer:

• A position within a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research platform
• Access to advanced analytical and computational infrastructure
• Collaboration with leading experts in systems biology, nutrition, and AI
• A supportive environment for scientific development and career growth
• Opportunities for international networking, conference participation, and publications
• Integration into a dynamic research community at the University of Vienna
• Membership in the Vienna Doctoral School Microbiology and Environmental Science.

Nutrition plays a greater role than ever in determining how healthy we remain, how we feel, and how sustainably our society functions. With AIPN – AI‑powered Personalized Nutrition for well‑being and disease prevention, the University of Vienna is establishing a new, visionary research platform under the leadership of Prof. Wolfram Weckwerth.

AIPN brings together an exceptional interdisciplinary team of nutrition scientists, medical researchers, metabolomics and microbiome experts, psychologists, and specialists in artificial intelligence to rethink nutrition from the ground up.

The platform integrates state‑of‑the‑art biochemical analyses, multi‑omics technologies, behavioral research, and AI‑driven modeling. This unique combination enables us to predict how individuals respond to specific foods and intervention techniques and to develop personalized nutrition intervention strategies that are both scientifically robust and practically effective.

The overarching goal is to develop scientifically grounded, personalized nutrition concepts that strengthen individual health and contribute to a more resilient society.

You will join a highly interdisciplinary and internationally visible research environment at the University of Vienna, embedded in the Vienna Metabolomics Center (VIME), the Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, and the broader AIPN research network. You will collaborate closely with experts in:

• Metabolomics, proteomics, and microbiome research
• Nutrition science and public health
• Psychology and behavioral science
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science
• Clinical and biomedical research

You will have access to state‑of‑the‑art analytical platforms, computational infrastructure, and a vibrant scientific community.