VIP3 Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (2025–2030) at Vienna BioCenter (16 Positions) Deadline: 15 August, 2025

The Vienna BioCenter Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Program 3 (VIP³) is a fully-funded postdoctoral fellowship designed to promote excellence and innovation in life sciences. Hosted at the Vienna BioCenter (VBC) in Austria, this program offers early-career researchers a unique opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research, collaborate with world-class scientists, and advance their careers through a structured three-mentor system.

Program Overview

The VIP³ program, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions with €2.7 million, supports 16 fellows over two international calls from 2025 to 2030. Fellows work on interdisciplinary projects bridging at least two VBC research groups, guided by two VBC mentors and one external mentor from VBC’s global network. The program emphasizes innovative research, international networking, and career development in fields like biochemistry, biophysics, computational biology, neurobiology, and more.

Key Features

• • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Projects combine expertise from two VBC research groups in areas like gene regulation, stem cells, or plant sciences.
  • Three-Mentor System: Two VBC group leaders and one external mentor (from VBC’s alumni or partners like Fred Hutch Cancer Center or Peking University) provide guidance and networking opportunities.
  • Career Support: Training in research and transferable skills, mentorship, and access to international conferences.
  • World-Class Environment: Conduct research at VBC, a leading life sciences hub in Vienna, ranked among the world’s most livable cities.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the VIP³ program, candidates must meet these requirements by August 15, 2025:

• • PhD Degree: Hold a PhD in life sciences, chemistry, physics, medicine, engineering, computer science, bioinformatics, or related fields.
  • Publication Record: Have at least one first-author or co-first-author publication or preprint on a public server (e.g., bioRxiv, arXiv).
  • Mobility Rule: Not have lived or worked in Austria for more than 12 months in the three years prior to August 15, 2025.
  • Interdisciplinary Proposal: Submit a research proposal bridging at least two VBC research groups in areas like neurobiology, computational biology, or disease mechanisms.
  • Mentor Engagement: Contact potential VBC mentors to align your project with their expertise.

Benefits of the VIP³ Program

The VIP³ program provides comprehensive support for fellows:

• Salary: Approximately €87,220 gross per year, based on the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) salary scheme.
• Social Benefits:
  • Full health insurance (extendable to family).
  • Paid maternity leave (16 weeks) and optional parental leave (up to 24 months).
  • Family allowance (€130–200/month per child, depending on age and number of children).
  • Pension contributions and accident insurance.
• Research Support: Full funding for research costs, access to VBC’s state-of-the-art facilities, and relocation cost assistance.
• Career Development:
  • Structured mentoring from the VIP³ Advisory Board and three mentors.
  • Training in research and transferable skills.
  • Attendance at two international conferences during the fellowship.
  • Optional 6-month secondment with an external partner (e.g., National Institute of Genetics, Japan).
• Inclusive Workplace: Gender-neutral facilities, a nursing room, family room, on-campus childcare, and barrier-free institutes.
• Global Networking: Connect with VBC’s international partners, including institutions in the USA, Germany, Japan, China, and Singapore.

Application Process

The first call is open from June 1, 2025, to August 15, 2025. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Prepare Application Materials:
   • Personal details (name, contact, current employment/education).
   • CV (max. 2 pages: education, scientific training, degree certificates).
   • Research proposal (max. 3 pages, including references) bridging two VBC research groups.
   • Abstract of the research proposal (max. ½ page).
   • Description of past achievements and impact (½ page).
   • Statement of research motivation and interests (½ page).
   • Statement on broader societal impact of your research (½ page).
   • 5 keywords describing your research area.
   • Contact details of 2–3 referees.
   • Optional: List of reviewers to exclude.
2. Contact VBC Mentors: Discuss your project with potential VBC group leaders to ensure alignment.
3. Submit Application:
   • Email all materials to vip-3@vbc.ac.at by August 15, 2025.
   • Download the application form and follow the “Guide for Applicants”
4. Review Process: Applications are evaluated by VBC faculty, with top candidates invited for interviews.

Participating Institutions and Research Areas

The VIP³ program involves six VBC institutions:

• • Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA)
  • Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)
  • Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI)
  • Max Perutz Labs
  • Faculty of Life Sciences (LeWi), University of Vienna
  • Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CMESS), University of Vienna

Research areas include:

• Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structure
• Cell and Chromosome Biology
• Computational Biology, Genomes, and Evolution
• Disease Mechanisms, Immunology, Pathogens
• Gene Regulation, RNA, Epigenetics
• Neurobiology
• Stem Cells, Development, Regeneration
• Plant Sciences

Your proposal must combine expertise from two groups in these areas.

Why Apply to VIP³?

The Vienna BioCenter is a vibrant, multicultural hub with over 80 nationalities, offering cutting-edge facilities and a collaborative environment. The VIP³ program empowers fellows to pursue innovative research, build global networks, and prepare for leadership roles in academia or industry. With Vienna’s high quality of life and VBC’s world-class resources, this fellowship is a launchpad for your scientific career.

Important Dates

• Application Period: June 1, 2025 – August 15, 2025
• Program Start: January 1, 2026
• Duration: 3 years (2026–2030)

Contact and Resources

• Email: vip-3@vbc.ac.at
• Website: Vienna BioCenter
• Application Form: Download here