Director (f/m/x)

The Medical University of Vienna is seeking a Director (f/m/x) to lead SYNAPSE Austria. The position is administratively based within its Technology Transfer Office and serves all SYNAPSE Austria partner institutions.

SYNAPSE Austria is a multi-institutional translational platform bringing together MedUni Wien, CeMM, IMBA, ISTA/XISTA, IMP, BOKU, LBG, TU Wien, University of Vienna and Vetmeduni. It connects scientific opportunities, infrastructure, expertise and funding pathways and provides a coordinated interface with industry, investors, public funders and international partners.

Position Purpose

Working with the Steering Committee, the Director will establish SYNAPSE Austria as a national platform for coordinating and advancing life sciences translation. The platform comprises four interconnected pillars: Projects, Capabilities, Shared Systems and External Interface.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, operational delivery, organizational development, governance support and reporting to the Steering Committee.
• Coordinate the identification, mapping and progression of translational opportunities with member institutions’ technology transfer and innovation teams, building a shared project portfolio.
• Map infrastructure, specialist facilities, expertise, training resources and capability gaps, and establish shared systems and ecosystem intelligence.
• Develop strategic relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, investors, philanthropic organizations, government, public funders and European initiatives; represent SYNAPSE Austria nationally and internationally.
• Secure long-term sustainability through business development, fundraising, competitive grant acquisition, strategic partnerships and a sustainable operating model.

Candidate Profile

Senior leadership experience in biotechnology, life sciences, translational research, innovation or a related field, with a strong record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across academia, industry and the public sector.

• Strong knowledge of the Austrian research and innovation ecosystem.
• Understanding of translational research, commercialization and venture-development pathways.
• Experience engaging pharmaceutical companies, investors, funding agencies and international stakeholders.
• Familiarity with European and Austrian funding programs and public-private partnership models.
• Excellent partnership, stakeholder-management and communication skills.
• Strong systems thinking and hands-on platform-development capability, including oversight of digital and IT-enabled systems.

Contract and Platform Outlook

This is a full-time position with an initial fixed-term appointment of three years. SYNAPSE Austria is intended to become a permanent and growing national platform. The Director will play a central role in securing additional funding, developing partnerships and building a sustainable organization beyond the initial funding period.

The minimum monthly salary under the University Collective Agreement, Pay Group V, is currently EUR 4,105.60 gross for a full-time role, paid 14 times a year. This may increase based on relevant previous experience and other remuneration components associated with the specific nature of the job.

Benefits

MedUni Vienna offers pension fund contributions, employee discounts, staff restaurants, childcare options, health initiatives, mobility support, internal training and counseling services. Flexible scheduling and telework of up to 40% depend on the job category and individual agreements.

Application

The Medical University of Vienna expressly encourages qualified women to apply. Women with equivalent qualifications will be given priority. Applications from people with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses are welcome.

Apply by November 11, 2026 using the application form on the job page. Reference number: 638/26. Applications by email are not accepted.

Apply using the online application form