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OeAW – Discovering the future

The Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), is seeking to appoint a visionary Scientific Director to lead one of Europe’s premier institutions in molecular plant biology. 

The GMI is an international research center dedicated to making discipline-defining breakthroughs in the biology of photosynthetic organisms. We are now seeking a distinguished, internationally recognized scientist of exceptional stature to serve as:

Scientific Director (f/m/x) 

at the Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GmbH)

Your Tasks

The Scientific Director will hold full responsibility for the scientific leadership of the institute, shaping its research agenda, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring the GMI’s continued excellence as a global leader in plant molecular biology.

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has made seminal contributions to basic molecular plant biology and enjoys international reputation in the scientific community;
• Is actively engaged in cutting-edge, high-impact research with transformative potential;
• Has a proven track record of securing substantial third-party funding from public and/or private sources;
• Demonstrates outstanding leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to inspire and grow a dynamic research team;
• Is deeply connected within the international scientific landscape and committed to advancing collaborative science.

This is a dual-role position combining executive leadership with active scientific engagement — offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of plant molecular biology research and innovation. As a GmbH (limited liability company), the GMI operates under a dual leadership model: the Scientific Director also serves as CEO, while the Administrative Director oversees operational and financial management. Both Directors jointly shape strategy and execution and report to the Presiding Committee of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

The Austrian Academy of Sciences is Austria’s leading non-university research institution, with five institutes focused on Life Sciences. The GMI, established in 2000, has rapidly evolved into a top-tier European center for plant science. The working language at the GMI is English, and the position is open to candidates of all nationalities.

Our Offer

What We Offer:

• An internationally competitive salary and recruitment package;
• A substantial annual research budget covering personnel, consumables, and equipment;
• Full access to the advanced research infrastructure of the Vienna BioCenter, one of Europe’s leading hubs for molecular life sciences;
• A vibrant, highly collaborative community in the BioCenter of over 2,000 scientists (including 400 PhD students) from more than 80 countries;
• State-of-the-art core facilities in plant husbandry, transgenesis, high-performance computing, advanced microscopy, proteomics, metabolomics, flow cytometry, next generation sequencing, and high-throughput phenotyping.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a world-class institute at the forefront of scientific discovery. If you are a forward-thinking leader with a passion for science, innovation, and organizational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

We also welcome nominations of outstanding candidates from third parties. The successful candidate will be appointed as a tenured Scientific Group Leader at the GMI. The role of Scientific Director is for a five-year term, renewable following a formal evaluation.

Your Application

Please submit your application to Heinz Fassmann, President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, at: GMI.search.director@oeaw.ac.at

Your application should include:

• A detailed curriculum vitae;
• A cover letter outlining your motivation and leadership vision for the GMI;
• A publication list highlighting your top 5 publications;
• A summary of third-party funding secured;
• A concise outline of your current and future research program, including a strategic vision for the future of the GMI.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a target deadline of November 15, 2026.

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity. Individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Contact

GMI.search.director@oeaw.ac.at Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften | Austrian Academy of Sciences | https://www.oeaw.ac.at