Wilfried POSCH 
Full Professor PD Mag. Dr.rer.nat.
Tel.: +43 (0)512 9003-70706
E-Mail: wilfried.posch@i-med.ac.at
Biographical sketch
Molecular biology studies at the University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria – Master of Science and PhD in Immunology/Virology/Host-Pathogen Interaction – Antigen-presenting cells (Dendritic cells) – Pathogens (HIV, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2) – Systemic and Cellular Complement – Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes – T Helper Cells – Molecular Diagnostics
Current Position
Full Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases
Education
| 2018 | Habilitation in Immunology at the Medical University of Innsbruck ‘Modulation of Host Immunity: Characterization of Dendritic Cell Functions at Pathogen Entry Sites’ |
| 2010 | Doctoral thesis (Dr.rer.nat.) Molecular biology at the University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck Austria; ‘Complement opsonization as potential DC vaccination strategy for HIV-1’ passed with distinction |
| 2007 | Master of Science (Mag.rer.nat.) Molecular biology at the University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; ‘Selftransfecting CMCOs as promising candidates for inhibition of HIV-replication in vivo’ passed with distinction |
| 1999 | Matura BRG Wörgl/Natural Science branch |
Career History
| since 2026 | Full Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases (tenure track position §99(4) UG 2002) |
| 2023-2025 | Associate Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases (tenure track position §99(5) UG 2002) |
| 2021 – 2023 | Assistant Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases (tenure track position §99(5) UG 2002) |
| 2018 – 2021 | Group leader position within the Immunology Unit of the Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology |
| 2016-2/2020 | Head of Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria |
| 2015-11/2020 | Senior Scientist (permanent position), Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria |
| 2011-2015 | Post-Doc, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria |
| 2011-2012 | Visiting scientist at the INSERM UMR-S945 Faculté de Médecine, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France (efis-IL fellowship) |
| 2010-2011 | Post-Doc, Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria |
| 2008-2009 | Visiting scientist at University College London, Division of Infection and Immunity, collaboration with Prof. Paul Kellam, London, UK (efis-IL fellowship) |
Projects
| Austrian Science Funds (FWF) How cellular complement shapes immunity via dendritic cells | FWF | 2025-2029 |
| Austrian Science Funds (FWF) CURE-Treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in human 3D respiratory models | FWF/ standing alone | 2020-2024 |
| Tiroler Innovationsförderung/Land Tirol Antiviral testing of Salopur MSP (Ökopur GmbH) aiganst SARS-CoV-2 | Land Tirol | 2021-2022 |
| Tiroler Innovationsförderung/Land Tirol Development of an innovative disinfection system based on UV-C LED technology | Land Tirol | 2020-2021 |
| Oesterreichische Nationalbank Anniversary Fund (ÖNB, project 17614) The role of Systemic and Cellular Complement in Human Dendritic Cells | OeNB | 2018-2021 |
| Tyrolean Science Fund (TWF; D-155140-016-011) IL15-DCs: New DC-based Vaccination Tool against HIV | TWF | 2010-2012 |
| Oesterreichische Nationalbank Anniversary Fund (ÖNB, project 14875) Dendritic cell modulation in chronic HIV infection by opportunistic pathogens | OeNB | 2012-2014 |
| Austrian Science Fund (FWF, P25389-B13) Deciphering the role of Th17 cells in HIV infection | FWF | 2012-2017 |
Awards and Prizes obtained
| Prof. Dr. Ernst Brandl Prize for innovative and forward-looking achievements https://www.i-med.ac.at/mypoint/thema/763646.html | Prof. Dr. Ernst Brandl Stiftung | 2021 |
| Young Investigator Award https://www.i-med.ac.at/mypoint/thema/711142.html | German AIDS Society | 2017 |
| Dr. Otto-Seibert Prize for research on socially disadvantaged Publication prize https://www.i-med.ac.at/mypoint/news/704013.html | Seibert Foundation | 2016 |
| Austrian Microbiology Prize Publication prize https://www.i-med.ac.at/mypoint/news/702045.html | Austrian Society for Hygiene, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine | 2016 |
| Prize of the Principality of Liechtenstein for scientific research Publication prize https://www.i-med.ac.at/pr/presse/2015/19.html | Principality of Liechtenstein | 2015 |
| efis-IL fellowship INSERM UMR-S945 Faculté de Médecine, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France https://www.efis.org/efis-support/efis-il-fellowships/index.html | EFIS | 2011-2012 |
| efis-IL fellowship Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London (UCL), London, UK https://www.efis.org/efis-support/efis-il-fellowships/index.html | EFIS | 2008-2009 |
Publications
Other activities
Functions in scientific societies
| 2025 | Board member of the Austrian Society of Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI) https://oegai.org/ |
| 2023 | Secretary Protocol and Board Member of the Austrian Society of Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI) https://oegai.org/ |
| 2021 | Secretary Protocol and Board Member of the Austrian Society of Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI) https://oegai.org/ |
| 2019 | Board Member of the Austrian Society of Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI) https://oegai.org/ |
Conference committees
| 2023 | Scientific Programme Committee European Congress of Immunology 2024 in Dublin, Ireland https://eci2024.org/ |
| 2016 | Local OrganizingCommittee and Scientific Committee, OEGAI Annual Meeting 2016 http://www.oegai-2016.com/en/welcome/37/local-organizing-committee.html?hm=37 |
Other non-scientific activities at the Medical University of Innsbruck
| since 2016 | Member of the Work Council for the Scientific Personnel https://www.i-med.ac.at/betriebsrat1/betriebsraete.html |
| since 2016 | Substitute member of the University Senate (‘Liste Life Sciences – Mittelbau’) Medical University of Innsbruck https://www.i-med.ac.at/universitaet/senat/index.html.en |
Teaching
