Open position within the Austrian Research Centre for Forests in collaboration with Boku Univeristy

Full Time (40h/w) – Limited for 1 year – Schönbrunn (Vienna), Austria

Vacancy within the Unit of Provenance research and Breeding in the Department for Forest Growth,
Silviculture and Genetics of the Austrian Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests,
Natural Hazards and Landscape (BFW).

The company look for an experienced and highly motivated researcher in plant molecular biology and pathology to join our growing team of scientists and practitioners. This represents a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with a dynamic team engaged in the molecular breeding of
forest tree species.

Key Responsibilities:
The researcher will participate in a new project funded by the Austrian Forest Fund. The projects’
aim in general is to identify genes and metabolic pathways involved in the induced defense
response in Norway spruce (Picea abies) upon bark beetle attack (Ips typographus) by a
combined transcriptomic (RT-qPCR, RNA-Seq) and metabolomic (Terpenoids, Phenolics,
Hormones) approach. The job profile includes the selection of Norway spruce plots to be
artificially infected, the planning and installment of in-natura infection attack controlled
experiments, the establishment of the most appropriate protocol for collection and processing of
samples for metabolomics and transcriptomics, scientific data analysis and interpretation,
scientific discussions with our researchers on genetics and plant molecular defense biology, as
well as project management duties (reporting, coordination, etc.) and scientific writing that
summarizes results in a manuscript.

Profile details:
The research project will be carried out at the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW) in
collaboration with the team member Priv.-Doz. Dr. S. Netherer from the University of Natural
Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna. The successful candidate is expected to
disseminate research findings in peer-reviewed journals, as well as through public engagements
and other scientific platforms.

• M.Sc. degree in Plant molecular biology, especially on biotic stress transcriptomics and metabolomics. However, this is not a PhD position. One scientific publication in this area will be greatly appreciated.
• Experience on plant molecular biology including transcriptomics and metabolomics is needed. Experience on forest pathology and entomology is well valuated.
• Knowledge on genetics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Knowledge on bark beetle is appreciated.
• Knowledge on the biology of the main plant molecular defense pathways: Plant-Pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling, Plant hormone signal transduction and main plant secondary biosynthetic pathways.
• Experience with basic research principles and methods, applied statistics, data acquisition, management of big data sets, and publishing of results.
• Scientific writing skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of self-organization and willingness to work in a team.
• Willingness to travel in Vienna and outside Vienna for sampling, data collection, data analysis and scientific discussions.
• Knowledge of Statistics and R for data analysis. Other programing languages are also welcome (e.g. Python).

This is a 40 hour, 1 year term position beginning 1st of April 2023 or until the
position is filled. The gross monthly salary is at least EUR 3.315,10 based on salary scale for
federal employees in evaluation group v1/1.

For additional information, please write an email to marcela.vanloo@bfw.gv.at