University assistant predoctoral - Vienna Network for Atmospheric Research (VINAR)

The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking a/an

University assistant predoctoral - Vienna Network for Atmospheric Research (VINAR)

51 Faculty of Physics

Startdate: 01.11.2026 | Working hours: 30 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)

Limited until: 31.10.2030

Reference no.: 6233

Are you interested in experimental aerosol physics, in-situ measurements, and both laboratory and field work? If so, join the Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics (AEP) Group to investigate understudied aerosol components across urban and remote environments.

As a pre-doc, you will be part of the AEP Group around Professor Bernadett Weinzierl. The AEP Group combines highly sophisticated laboratory, ground-based and aircraft measurements with innovative modelling to study the fundamental physical and chemical properties of aerosol particles and clouds. Current research covers various areas of aerosol science and spans the whole size spectrum from the nano- to the microscale. We are looking for a motivated pre-doctoral scientist to extend our team. The employment duration is 4 years.

As a pre-doc university assistant in this 4-year position, you will be part of the Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics Group around Professor Bernadett Weinzierl. The overall aim of this position is the characterization of the atmospheric aerosol collected at the Aerosols Observatory of the University of Vienna, which is in the process of becoming a National Facility within the pan-European Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure ACTRIS, and comparison to the aerosol data measured at the Sonnblick Observatory, Austria. Specifically, you will focus on the determination of optical and microphysical properties of atmospheric aerosols measured at these two stations, one representing urban background environment, and the other one, remote atmosphere at 3100 m in altitude. The position is offered within the Vienna Network for Atmospheric Research (VINAR) and involves collaboration with colleagues at GeoSphere Austria and the Department of Meteorology and Geophysics at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna.

The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a nonextension declaration.

Your future tasks:

Active participation in research, teaching & administration, which means:

• You will be involved in unique research projects in which we collaborate with top scientific institutions
• Your work will focus on rarely-studied aerosol components (including microplastics and others) at urban and remote sites in the framework of ACTRIS and beyond
• You will set up, characterize, maintain and operate ACTRIS instrumentation such as Aethalometer (AE), Nephelometer, Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) in order to measure the aerosol microphysical and optical properties sampling from a PM10 inlet at the Aerosol Observatory
• You will characterize instruments in the laboratory, perform aerosol measurements at the Aerosol Observatory, process, analyze and interpret the aerosol data with respect to aerosol microphysical and optical properties
• You will compare data obtained at the Aerosol Observatory (urban background) in Vienna and the Sonnblick Observatory (remote atmosphere)
• You will collaborate within VINAR, GeoSphere Austria (Sonnblick Observatory) and the Department of Meteorology and Geophysics at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna (FLEXPART modelling)
• You will work on your dissertation and towards its completion in time. You will present your research plan to the faculty and complete a dissertation agreement within 12-18 months. This will be reviewed and adapted on an annual basis
• You will actively and continuously perform literature search to independently locate relevant journal articles
• You will contribute to teaching (lab courses, exercise classes) within the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement
• You will fill some administrative tasks, contributing to the success and self-organization of the group for research, teaching and administration
• You will contribute to outreach by publications, conference presentations and public activities

Compulsory:

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in physics and/or aerosol-related topics such as atmospheric sciences, aerosol chemistry, meteorology, or similar
• Affinity for practical work; ideally, you have experience in experimental/technical work
• An excellent command of written and spoken English (C1 or higher)
• Experience in programming (e.g., Python) to perform your data analysis
• Reliable, regular presence in the laboratory on site in Vienna
• Willingness to travel: measurement campaigns may involve fieldwork away from the office, including national and international stays
• You are a team player with good social/communication skills, as the goal will only be achieved in a team
• Class B driving license

Desirable:

• Knowledge in atmospheric and/or aerosol physics and experimental work
• Experience with common aerosol particle detection and characterization techniques, in particular with measurements of aerosol microphysical and optical properties, is considered an asset
• Experience in building experimental setups, instrument characterization, and calibration
• Experience with in-field measurement campaigns is an asset
• Initiative in finding solutions for technical and scientific problems

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Good public transport connections: Your workplace in the center of beautiful Vienna is easily accessible by public transport.

Potential for development: Success in life depends on what you make of it, but if you are ambitious and successful, there are plenty of opportunities to connect you to many relevant top research groups in the world.

Internal further training & coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from - free of charge.

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3,776.10 (full-time basis, 14x p.a.) increases if we can credit professional experience. The duration of employment is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

• With your scientific curriculum vitae.
• A summary of your previous academic and research achievements.
• A short statement on your research interests for the future.
• Your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree: an excellent academic degree is a good entrance statement for this position. Note that while a Master’s degree is the usual legal prerequisite for a PhD position at the University of Vienna, we can consider Bachelor’s degrees (preferentially with Honors) in exceptional cases, too.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Bernadett Weinzierl

bernadett.weinzierl@univie.ac.at

We look forward to new personalities in our team!

The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

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Application deadline: 10/24/2026

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