University Assistant postdoctoral

Among the many reasons to do research and to teach at the University of Vienna there is one in particular that has convinced around 7,500 academic staff members so far. They see themselves as personalities who need space for continuous striving for international scientific excellence. At the same time, they enjoy support and freedom that are not a given at other institutions. Does that sound like something for you? 

Your working place:

The Department of Astrophysics with currently around 90 members is part of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy at the University of Vienna.
The research group of Prof. João Alves (www.joaoalves.org) is looking for a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher. The position is for four (4) years 

Your future tasks:

We are seeking an outstanding candidate to create a new general catalog of Milky Way stellar clusters using the upcoming Gaia Data Release 4. This task includes the development of new algorithms for cluster detection and characterization, so experience with this task on previous Gaia data releases will be a plus. You will also be responsible for the analysis and interpretation of the data, as well as the publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals. You should have solid experience working with Gaia data, especially regarding the Gaia selection function. 

You will be joining a vibrant research group focused on the interstellar medium, star/planet formation and Galactic climate, with several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. We expect you to engage with the group's broader research goals and be involved in adjacent research lines.
 

You will actively participate in research, teaching & administration, which means:

•    You are involved in and leading research projects in Astrophysics.
•    You publish in international renowned journals and present at international meetings.
•    You (co-)supervise Bachelor, Master and PhD students in Astronomy.
•    You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
•    You take on administrative tasks in research and teaching.

Your profile: 

•    Doctoral/PhD degree in astronomy/astrophysics with affinity for programming, or in computer science/applied mathematics with affinity for astronomy/astrophysics
•    Main-author publications in renowned subject-relevant media
•    Excellent command of written and spoken English 
•    Excellent abilities to work in a team and excellent communication skills
•    Excellent programming skills
•    Readiness to actively contribute to the ongoing research projects in Prof. Alves group

Additionally:
•    Very good organizational skills are highly desirable
•    Supervision and teaching experience are desirable
•    Expertise in stellar clusters and Galactic dynamics are assets
•    Presentation experience in an international setting is a benefit

What we offer:

Inspiring working atmosphere: You will have the opportunity to work within a dedicated team on forefront science, while profiting from the international environment in the Department of Astrophysics. We have privileged access to the Vienna Scientific Cluster (VSC) super-computing facility. As a member state of ESO and ESA, Austria has access to their first-class observing facilities. 

Good public transport connections: Your working place, the University Observatory, is located in the middle of the natural monument Observatory Park in the lively city of Vienna with outstanding public transport. 

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can, upon agreement, partly work from home (within Austria)

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: A basic gross salary of EUR 4,932.90 per month (amount for 2025), 14 times a year, based on 40 h/week.

Equal opportunities for everyone: We look forward to diverse personalities in the team!
 

It is that easy to apply:

• Please prepare your application - preferably as a single PDF file - that includes a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae (with a list of publications and presentations), a statement of research interests (maximum of three (3) pages), and contact details of three (3) persons who can provide a letter of recommendation.
• Doctoral Degree 
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button