We are recruiting a Guest Scientist to join a cutting-edge research project focused on the development of next-generation CAR T cell immunotherapies. This 1-year full-time position is ideal for recent MSc graduates or junior physician-scientists who want to collect hands-on biomedical research experience in a highly ambitious research environment and contribute to a project with substantial potential for clinical translation. The successful candidate will be based at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, in close collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna, and embedded in a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research environment.

Your Profile

• MSc degree or equivalent in the life sciences (e.g. immunology, molecular biology, biotechnology, medicine) or a related field
• At least one year of full-time wet-lab experience (e.g. through Master’s thesis or research assistant work)
• High accuracy, reliability, precision under time pressure, and organizational skills
• Prior experience working with molecular biology techniques including cell culture and DNA/RNA assays
• Friendly, collaborative mindset and ability to work well in an international environment
• Written and oral communication skills in English (German language skills are not required)
• Proactive mindset, getting-things-done attitude, and motivation to work hard and do well in a fast-moving area of biomedicine
• We are open to applicants who want to gain practical experience prior to applying for PhD positions at leading research institutions

Your Tasks

• Cell culture and cell-based assays for immune cells including genetically engineered CAR T cell therapies
• CRISPR screening in primary immune cells and validation in preclinical mouse models
• Optimization and testing of new assays and protocols, for example for cancer epigenetics and tumor immunology
• Contribution to project logistics and scientific publications
• For scientific details, please see our recent paper on CAR T cell screening: https://nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09507-9

The Bock Lab (https://bocklab.org)

We seek to advance biomedicine with technology-driven research, combining experimental and computational approaches to understand and program epigenetic cell states and to develop cell-based therapies for cancer and immune diseases. Main areas of research include:

• Single-cell biology. Epigenetic cell states contribute broadly to the regulation of human organs. As part of the Human Cell Atlas, we use single-cell and spatial sequencing to dissect their role in tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis.
• Biotechnology. Groundbreaking discoveries are often enabled by new technology. We develop and apply innovative methods in the areas of single-cell sequencing, CRISPR screening, epigenome editing, and synthetic biology.
• Bioinformatics. Computational methods are essential for data-driven biomedical research. We develop algorithms and software for large-scale data analysis, and we pursue clinical collaborations to establish medical impact.
• Machine learning. Huge datasets pose new analytical challenges. As part of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, we develop methods for interpretable deep learning and artificial intelligence in biomedicine.
• Cell therapy. CAR T cells have shown dramatic efficacy for blood cancers and spearhead a broader shift toward person-alized cell-based therapies. We use high-throughput technology to design synthetic immune cells as therapeutics.

The Institute (http://www.cemm.at)

CeMM is an international research institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a founding member of EU-LIFE. The mission of CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences is to achieve maximum scientific innovation in molecular medicine to improve healthcare. At CeMM, an international and creative team of scientists and medical doctors pursues free-minded basic life science research in a large and vibrant hospital environment of outstanding medical tradition and practice. At CeMM, an international and creative team of scientists and medical doctors pursues free-minded basic life science research in a large and vibrant hospital environment of outstanding medical tradition and practice. CeMM’s research is based on post-genomic technologies and focuses on societally important diseases, such as immune disorders and infections, cancer, aging and metabolic disorders. CeMM operates in a unique mode of super-cooperation, connecting biology with medicine, experiments with computation, discovery with translation, and science with society and the arts. CeMM discovers and develops technologies to explore human biology with the purpose of defeating disease at its roots. Because Science is our Medicine! CeMM trains a modern blend of biomedical scientists and is located at the campus of the General Hospital and the Medical University of Vienna. CeMM is a proud recipient of the HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R). This award indicates that CeMM takes care of the well-being of its employees, that the recruitment process is open, fair, and transparent, and that CeMM offers professional appraisals and career development procedures. More than 150 people from 49 nationalities are working at CeMM. The institute promotes equal opportunity and harbours a mix of different talents, backgrounds, competences, and interests. www.cemm.at

We offer

• Work within an experienced, interdisciplinary, and international team at one of Austria’s leading research institutes
• Ample opportunities to contribute and gain experience in a key area of biomedical research and precision medicine
• An inspiring workplace with an international setting, strong team spirit, and an excellent work climate
• A wide range of social, cultural, and sports activities organized by the institute
• Excellent employee benefits including full insurance coverage (health, accident, retirement), health care services, subsidized cafeteria
• Monthly gross salary of €2758,00 paid 14 times
• Visa and relocation support provided

Please apply online (https://cemm.onlyfy.jobs/job/udxd0wsl) with cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact details of 3 referees. Applications received before June 24th will be accepted.