Senior Scientist

Universität Wien

Job description:

At the University of Vienna, over 10,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,500 of them are academic staff members. These are individuals who, with their curiosity and their continuous pursuit of excellence, engage in international cutting-edge research and teaching. With us, you will also find space to unfold your potential. We are looking for a/an 

Senior Scientist

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where over 7,500 brilliant minds have found a unique balance of freedom and support. Join us if you’re passionate about groundbreaking international research and academic excellence. Ready to be part of our team? Let’s shape the future together!

Your personal sphere of play:

Are you interested in experimental aerosol physics and developing novel methods? Are you fascinated by large-scale international aircraft field experiments addressing urgent environmental challenges such as climate change? Do you enjoy being in the field and deploying novel instrumentation for coarse mode aerosol and cloud characterization? If so, we invite you to join the Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics Group.

As a Senior Scientist in this position, you will be part of the Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics Group around Professor Bernadett Weinzierl. The Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics (AEP) Group at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Vienna combines highly-sophisticated laboratory, ground-based and aircraft experiments with innovative modelling to study the fundamental physical and chemical properties of aerosol particles and clouds. Current research focuses on related but different areas of aerosol science and covers the whole size spectrum from the nano- to the microscale. We are looking for a motivated Senior Scientist to extend our team. 

The position is limited to the duration of an employee's absence (until 31.07.2027) and can be converted into a permanent position by mutual agreement if the employee is not returning.

Your future tasks:

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

• You will be involved in unique ground-based and airborne research projects in which we collaborate with top scientific institutions such as NASA and NOAA 
• You will be in the field for large-scale aircraft measurement campaigns including SABRE, INSPYRE, and others (typically several weeks per year) that only a few groups in the world carry out 
• Your research will focus on airborne in-situ observations of coarse mode aerosols (including biological particles) and clouds
• You will develop novel methods and analysis tools for in-situ aerosol and cloud data using state-of-the-art techniques (e.g., image processing, machine learning)
• A significant fraction of the work will be focused on the maintenance and strategic development of the group's proprietary data evaluation software CAPSlib (Dollner, 2022) for processing and in-depth analysis of coarse mode aerosol and cloud data
• You will contribute to the setup, automation (including extensive software development), and operation of highly complex instrumentation for ground-based and airborne measurements
• You will analyze and interpret data from the urban background Aerosol Observatory at the University of Vienna, and from past and upcoming ground- and airborne field experiments
• You will contribute to outreach by publications, conference presentations and public activities
• You will continuously stay informed about the state of the art in your field, and develop and strengthen an independent research profile
• You will contribute to the success and self-organization of the group for research, and help with some administrative tasks
• You will contribute to project applications and the acquisition of third-party funding
• You will independently teach courses as defined by the collective agreement, and (co-) supervise students
• You will train students at all levels on the latest aerosol measurement methods and on software development for in-situ aerosol data analysis
• You will ensure sustainable know-how transfer in the field of aerosol physics to students, doctoral candidates and PostDocs

This is part of your personality:

•    Completed doctoral degree/PhD degree in natural sciences (e.g. physics, atmospheric sciences, etc.)
•    Professional expertise: Knowledge in experimental aerosol physics and laboratory and field work, ideally including experience in the measurement of aerosol microphysical properties
•    Excellent programming skills (especially with Python and PostGres), and proven experience in development and maintenance of complex software
•    Experience with in-situ aerosol measurement techniques, aerosol instrument development, and airborne measurements
•    Experience in teaching classes and supervising students is considered an asset
•    Experience with the acquisition of third-party funding is considered an asset
•    Publications in renowned, peer-reviewed journals
•    Excellent command of written and spoken English, German is desirable but not required

Mindset and soft-skills:

• Ability to work in a team
• High ability to express yourself both orally and in writing
• Open, collaborative, and curious personality
• Proactive, self-driven, and highly motivated
• Excellent independent research and management abilities
• Experience abroad
• Willingness to travel (typically several weeks per field experiment abroad)
• Physical conditions for participating in research flights
• Driver's license is considered an asset

What we offer:

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.

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

Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 4,932,90 (14 times a year for senior scientists postdoctoral) for the contract period increases, if we can credit professional experience.

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

It is that easy to apply:

• With your scientific curriculum vitae
• With a motivation letter
• With your list of publications
• With a summary of your research interests and their relation to the research at our Group (max. 1 p.)
• Doctoral Degree/PhD degree
• Contact details of two persons who could provide reference letters
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button

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 lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

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​Application deadline: 09/24/2025 

Apply now