Senior Scientist

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At the University of Vienna, almost 11,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,700 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

51 Faculty of Physics

Job vacancy starting: 10/15/2026 | Working hours: 40.00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)

Limited contract until:

Job ID: 6162

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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.

The position is limited initially to four years, with the possibility of a permanent employment after a successful evaluation of the University of Vienna's Core Facility 'ACTRIS Aerosol Observatory' in the fourth year.

Your personal sphere of play:

As a Senior Scientist, you will join the Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics (AEP) Group led by Prof. Bernadett Weinzierl at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Physics. We combine advanced laboratory, ground-based, and aircraft experiments with innovative modeling to investigate the physical and chemical properties of aerosols and clouds across nanometer to micrometer scales. We are seeking a motivated Senior Scientist to strengthen our team.

You will help build and operate the forthcoming ACTRIS National Facility/University of Vienna Core Facility (CF) for in situ aerosol measurements and work on pioneering projects in atmospheric and climate research. You will collaborate regularly with leading international institutions—including the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)—and key industry partners such as Airbus and other companies.

Your future tasks:

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

You will be involved in unique ground-based and airborne research projects with top scientific institutions such as NASA, NOAA, and NCAR, and contribute to large (aircraft) measurement campaigns including SABRE, INSPYRE, and others

You will participate in multi-week field deployments for aircraft-based measurements

Your research will focus on airborne in-situ observations of aerosol and ice particles with Optical Array Probes (OAPs) and complementary aerosol instrumentation

You will develop novel methods and analysis tools for coarse-mode aerosol and cloud data (e.g., image processing, machine learning)

You will advance and maintain the University of Vienna Core Facility (CF) “ACTRIS Aerosol Observatory” instrumentation, and coordinate CF participation in external field campaigns (e.g., with NASA, NOAA, NCAR, Airbus) focused on ice particle measurements

You will collect, process, quality control, and deliver measurement data to support Austria’s contribution to ACTRIS and to deliver collected data to internal and external users of the CF

You will analyze and interpret data from the CF, and from past and upcoming ground- and airborne field experiments

You will increase the CF’s visibility through outreach and presence at scientific conferences and with commercial exhibitors

You will serve as Laser Safety Officer, including risk assessment, training, and documentation

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

This is part of your personality:

Compulsory:

Completed doctoral degree/PhD degree in physics and/or aerosol-related topics such as atmospheric sciences, aerosol chemistry or meteorology

Professional expertise: Knowledge in atmospheric/aerosol physics and (in-field) experimental work, including experience with in-situ aerosol measurement techniques, aerosol instrument development, and airborne in situ aerosol measurements

Excellent programming skills (especially in Python), and proven experience in collaborative software development using version control systems (git)

Reliable, regular presence in the laboratory on site in Vienna

Willingness to travel: internationally for measurement campaigns in the USA and other countries; trips with a typical duration of several weeks are necessary

Willingness and ability to participate in research flights, and to operate airborne instrumentation during research flights

You are a team player with good social/communication skills as the goal will only be achieved in a team

An excellent command of written and spoken English (C1 or higher), German is desirable but not required

Class B driving license

Desirable

Experience to initiate, negotiate, and manage partnerships with academia and industry

Experience with Optical Array Probes (e.g. CIP, PIP, 2DS, HVPS etc.) and end-to-end workflows from data acquisition to image analysis

Training as a laser safety officer is considered an asset

Experience in teaching classes and supervising students

Initiative in finding solutions for technical and scientific problems

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours.

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 is EUR 5.014,30 (14 times a year for senior scientists postdoctoral) and 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 / letter of intent

With your list of publications

With your summary of research interests (max. 1 p.)

Doctoral Degree

Contact details of 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 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.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

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Application deadline: 09/17/2026