About the Grade Lab

Sofia Grade and her team seek to expand our knowledge of the diseased brain and guide the development of intervention strategies for repair. We offer a young, dynamic, and international working environment and the opportunity to make an important contribution to basic biomedical research, as well as a supportive mentoring framework for scientific and personal development. More details in https://www.oeaw.ac.at/imba/research/sofia-grade

The Project and the Cluster of Excellence Postdoctoral Program

The project explores a development-inspired approach to cortical repair. Moving beyond traditional cell therapies, it uses organoid models to recreate interactions that shape circuit reconstruction in the injured brain. The research work is embedded in a recently established Cluster of Excellence “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease”, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). It will be conducted in close collaboration with the group of Jürgen Knoblich at IMBA and within a stimulating and interdisciplinary scientific community across five leading research institutions in Austria: Medical University of Vienna, Medical University of Innsbruck, University of Vienna, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and IMBA. The Cluster of Excellence aims to integrate a range of cutting-edge concepts, methodologies, and tools from basic and clinical neurobiology to understand fundamental brain functions and the processes by which they become susceptible to diseases. More details inhttps://hirnforschung.meduniwien.ac.at/fwf-cluster-of-excellence-neuronal-circuits-in-health-and-disease/ and https://coe.univie.ac.at/

About IMBA

IMBAis an internationally recognized research institute that conducts research in molecular and cell biology, stem cell and organoid research, neurobiology, small RNA biology, disease modelling and epigenetics. It is located at the Vienna Biocenter (VBC), one of Europe’s most vibrant life science hubs with 3000 employees from 80 countries in seven research institutions, two universities and over thirty biotech companies. Science carried out at IMBA is at the highest level and builds on world-class infrastructure and top research programs ideal for any scientific career level. The operating language of the institute is English. More details in https://www.oeaw.ac.at/imba/ and https://www.viennabiocenter.org

Our offer

• Fully funded postdoc position for 3 years
• Being part of a stimulating, interdisciplinary scientific community
• Collaborative project
• World-class laboratories and facilities
• Career development opportunities
• VBC benefits e.g. Childcare center and Training Network
• A workplace in Vienna, consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities
• Guidance for relocation to Austria

Your qualifications

• PhD degree in neuroscience, biomedicine, biotechnology or similar
• Scientific achievements, documented by publications
• Experience in working with mice
• Enthusiasm for regenerative neuroscience, advanced imaging and analytical tools
• Solid laboratory skills, scientific rigor and high degree of independence
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to mentor junior team members
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English

Additional assets considered a plus:

• Background in brain injury or neurological disease
• Prior experience in neural circuit tracing and light-sheet microscopy
• Experience with Python and R

How to apply

Interested candidates should send their application in a single PDF including a letter of motivation, CV and contact details of two referees by email to sofia.grade(at)imba.oeaw.ac.at. Reference letters will be requested from referees via email.

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in science. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of gender identity, nationality or background.

Application deadline: 28 June 2026