Scientific Director and CEO (f/m/x) - CeMM

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) is Austria’s central non-university research and science institution, supporting 27 basic research institutes of excellent international standing, five of which are conducting research in the life sciences. CeMM GmbH, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the OeAW, is dedicated to advancing technologies to explore human biology and combat disease at its core. The CeMM goal is to achieve maximum scientific innovation to improve healthcare, guided by its slogan: “Science is our medicine”.

We are now seeking an outstanding scientist and visionary leader to serve as the

Scientific Director and CEO (f/m/x)

of the Research Center for Molecular Medicine (CEMM)

The Director will shape the future of CeMM, which currently encompasses 9 Principal Investigators and a network of 11 Adjunct Principal Investigators, totaling approximately 300 members. The Director will receive an internationally competitive salary, a generous annual research budget (personnel, consumables, equipment) and access to the CeMM research infrastructure including the Biomedical Sequencing Facility and its unique Molecular Discovery Platform for proteomics and chemical biology screens. CeMM is located in the large research-intensive campus of the Medical University of Vienna and the Vienna General Hospital, at a prime location for intensive collaboration with clinicians focused on pioneering the science that nurtures the precise, personalised, predictive, and preventive medicine of the future. In addition, Vienna hosts numerous scientific facilities with a wide range of frontier infrastructures. It has been ranked as the world’s most liveable city for the third consecutive year by the “Global Liveability Index 2024” of the British Economist Intelligence Unit.

• Medical Degree or PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics or a related field
• Experience as PI of a lab with a track record of cutting-edge research in translational biomedical fields
• Excellent publication record or equivalent output
• Track record of originality and innovation in research
• Track record of attracting competitive grants
• Track record of multidisciplinary collaborations
• Leadership and management skills
• Track record of recruiting outstanding international talents
• Training and teaching experience

• A strong background in medical research and the healthcare sector
• A successful track record in securing industrial partnerships
• Proven experience in the biotech industry, particularly in drug discovery, along with expertise in research commercialization, technology transfer, and founding spin-off companies

We are seeking a candidate who demonstrates the ability to lead with empathy, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and personal development within CeMM. The ideal candidate will value diverse perspectives and possess the skills to understand and address the needs of both, individuals and the organization as a whole.

The successful candidate will be recruited with tenure as scientific group leader; the appointment of Scientific Director will be for 5 years, renewable after evaluation.

Please send your application (including cover letter, a summary of research interests, objectives on how you could profit from and interact with the CeMM environment, initial thoughts on a future strategy for CeMM, curriculum vitae, a list of publications with the six most relevant ones highlighted and an overview of acquired third party funding) to President Heinz Fassmann and Vice President Ulrike Diebold at cemm.search.director@oeaw.ac.at.

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.