PhD Position: Analyzing Polymer Degradation by Soil Enzymes

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91 Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science
Startdate: 01.03.2027 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited until: 29.02.2028
Reference no.: 6419

Do you want to conduct basic research that can inform solutions for sustainable agriculture? Join our group (EDGE) at the University of Vienna as a PhD student within the MSCA Doctoral Network Agripolys and apply environmental analytical chemistry to investigate the enzymatic degradation of polymers in agricultural soils. 

Your personal sphere of influence:

Polymers are important for numerous agricultural applications. To avoid the accumulation of polymers in soils and other environmental systems, soil biodegradability is a key desired feature for many polymers. To inform the development of soil biodegradable polymers, a fundamental understanding of the activity and specificity of soil enzymes is needed. Rooted in environmental analytical chemistry (centered around high-resolution mass spectrometry), this project (Agripolys DC6) aims to decipher biodegradation pathways of several promising polymer classes and thereby shine light on the degradation potential of soil enzymes.

Our research group is part of the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna, Austria. We are dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research at the intersection of (bio)chemistry, microbiology, and environmental science.

Your future tasks:

You actively participate in research & administration, which means:

• development and completion of a dissertation within the scope of the research project AGRIPOLYS;
• participation in the research project AGRIPOLYS through experiments and the development of analytical methods;
• publication and presentation of research in international journal and conferences;
• contribution to administrative tasks in research and administration.

Being part of the VDS MES doctoral school, we expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within 12-18 months.

This is part of your personality:

• A master’s degree in analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, food chemistry, microbiology, or a closely related field.
• Laboratory experience in one or several of the above research fields is a strong asset.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (level C1).
• High motivation, independence, and reliability.

Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Austria for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.

What we offer:

• A supportive and stimulating working environment and excellent laboratory facilities;
• A fully funded position (full funding for 3 years) in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (basic salary of EUR 3776,10 on a full-time basis);
• Scientific collaboration and secondments within and beyond the project network;
• A chance to live and work in Vienna – renowned for its high quality of life.

It is that easy to apply:

Your complete application contains:

1. your CV, including contact details of at least two referees,
2. your BSc and MSc transcripts, and
3. your letter of motivation that specifies your fit to the position.

Only application submitted via our job portal jobs.univie.ac.at (Apply now-button) will be considered.

For any content-related questions, please contact:

Stella Maria Spanlang

edge.cemess@univie.ac.at

The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

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Application deadline: 11/30/2026