University Assistant postdoctoral

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!

About the team:

Our group develops and applies quantum mechanics-based methods for the description of condensed matter systems, including the successful software package VASP (Vienna ab-initio Simulation Package). Currently, the group consists of two full professors, one associate professor, several postdocs and about 10 PhD and master students. Computing time is available on our local cluster and on the Vienna Scientific Cluster (VSC), a supercomputer shared by Austria's major universities. We focus on the development of methods to solve the many-electron Schrödinger equation for fermions and bosons with high accuracy and on the application of these methods to problems in the physics of oxides, semiconductors and their surfaces. Machine learning methods will be used to close the complexity gap. Applicants will have outstanding achievements or show promise in any area of theoretical solid-state physics, including but not limited to modeling of oxides and their surfaces, machine learning methods, and/or development of novel solutions to solve the many-body Schrödinger equation.

Your future tasks:

Applicants have outstanding achievements or promise in any area of

• theoretical solid-state physics, including but not limited to modeling of oxides and their surfaces
• machine learning methods, and/or the development of novel solutions to the many-body Schrödinger equation.

Applicants with proven experience in the development of new computational methods and their application on high-performance computers are preferred.

Furthermore, collaboration with experimental and other theoretical groups in Vienna is desirable. Candidates should also actively contribute to and collaborate with the CRC TACO, https://sfb-taco.at/ a large joint research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund. 

Active participation in research, teaching and administration, this implies

• Development and expansion of an independent research profile
• Participation in research projects
• International publication and presentation activities
• Project application and acquisition of third-party funding
• Independent teaching of courses to the extent of the collective agreement provisions
• Student supervision
• Participation in evaluation measures and quality assurance
• Participation in research, teaching and institute administration 

Qualification: 

• Completed technical or scientific doctoral studies / focus on solid state physics or chemical physics
• Professional skills: Development of ab initio methods
• Methodological skills: Python, Fortran, C, C++
• High performance computing
• Good didactic skills
• High written and oral expression skills
• Computer user skills
• Excellent command of English
• Ability to work in a team

We also expect:

• Teaching experience / experience with e-learning
• Experience in participating in research projects

What we offer:

• Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work (upon agreement).
• 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 a period of 5 years / 60 months 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:

All applications must include:

• a letter of motivation
• a CV with full academic history
• a list of courses taught and a list of publications and presentations including one or two representative reprints of previous research papers
• a statement of research interest and research agenda / planned habilitation project (if applicable) (two pages)
• ideally two letters of recommendation