Laboratory Technician in New Fluorescent Dye Discovery

Laboratory Technician in New Fluorescent Dye Discovery (m/f/d)

The Unterlass Laboratory at CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, is seeking a highly motivated Laboratory Technician to join an international and interdisciplinary team working at the interface of chemistry, chemical engineering, and biology.

Our research focuses on the hydrothermal synthesis of organic materials, particularly new classes of sustainable fluorescent dyes (the watER dyes) developed entirely through water-based, high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis. This method avoids hazardous solvents, enabling eco-friendly, scalable, and cost-effective production of chemical tools for biology and diagnostics.

We are now expanding the biological side of the project and are looking for a technician enthusiastic about cell biology, imaging, and molecular techniques, who would like to help advance these novel dyes toward biological applications, and potentially toward future translation or spin-off development.

Your profile 

• Degree in life sciences (B.Sc., M.Sc., Mag., DI)
• Strong interest in cell biology, imaging, and translational technology development
• Experience in molecular and/or cellular biology
• Experience with imaging techniques and cell culture
• Experience with basic molecular biology (e.g., cloning, PCR)
• Experience with quantitative image analysis is a plus
• High accuracy, reliability, and independence; excellent teamwork skills
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English
• Curiosity, motivation, and the ability to learn new techniques quickly
• (Optional but beneficial) Interest in innovation, technology development, or spin-off creation

Your tasks

• Cell culture (maintenance, drug treatment, and staining)
• High-throughput imaging and image analysis
• High-resolution fluorescence microscopy
• Cell-based assays (cell viability, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence)
• General molecular biology techniques (cloning, PCR)
• Assisting in the testing, optimization, and characterization of new fluorescent dyes
• Technology development, troubleshooting, and experimental optimization
• Certain lab management and organizational duties

The Unterlass Laboratory 

The Unterlass Lab develops sustainable chemical compounds through hydrothermal synthesis, a unique method using only water as solvent under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. You will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary, diverse, open, and collaborative research environment where chemists, biologists, materials scientists, and engineers work together to create next-generation tools for biology and diagnostics.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to a growing research program with potential for translation into a spin-off, providing exposure to innovation, commercialization, and applied research.

The Principal Investigator 

Miriam M. Unterlass studied chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering in Würzburg, Southampton, and Lyon. Between 2009 and 2011, she worked on her PhD thesis at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Postdam, followed by a postdoc at ESPCI in Paris. In December 2012, she established her research group "Advanced Organic Materials" at the Institute of Materials Chemistry at Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien). In September 2018, Miriam obtained her habilitation venia docendi in materials chemistry and in June 2019, she became assistant professor at TU Wien. She joined CeMM as an adjunct principal investigator in 2018 and in June 2021, she became full professor of solid-state chemistry at Universität Konstanz (Germany). In October 2024 Miriam was appointed Director of Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg. She also joined Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, where she holds the Chair for Chemical Technology of Materials Synthesis. 

About the Institute

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. CeMM's research is based on post-genomic technologies and focuses on societally important diseases, such as immune disorders and infections, cancer 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 demonstrates that CeMM cares about the well-being of its staff, that the recruitment process is open, fair, and transparent, and that CeMM provides professional appraisals and career development procedures. CeMM employs more than 300 members, including auxiliary groups, from 47 nationalities. The working language is English. The Institute promotes equal opportunities and is home to a mix of different talents, backgrounds, and competencies.

We offer

• Shape the future: Contribute to transforming basic research into impactful biological tools
• High impact: Work on cutting-edge fluorescent dye development with translational potential
• Collaborative environment: Work closely with chemists, biologists, and technology experts
• Unique opportunity: Join a new research direction with future spin-off possibilities
• 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
• Minimum gross monthly salary of EUR 2.779,60 paid 14 times a year (following the )
• Support for relocating to Vienna is provided (relocation reimbursement, visa support, etc.) 

Application details

Please apply online () with cover letter, CV and contact details of 2 referees. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Any application received by 31 December 2025 will be considered.

Additional information
City

Vienna

Position type

Full-time employee

Start of work



Responsible
Memo Mokhles

 

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