PhD Position (m/f/x) in Railway Infrastructure Design

Unist; Graz; Vor Ort; EUR 53 000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading Austrian university in Graz seeks a dedicated doctoral candidate in Railway Infrastructure Design. The role involves conducting independent research, developing measurement methods, and contributing to teaching activities. Ideal candidates will have a master's degree in civil or mechanical engineering and skills in both German and English. The position offers a supportive environment for academic growth, flexible work options, and an annual gross salary starting at €52,007.20.

Leistungen

Flexible working schedule

International training opportunities

Company pension funds

Access to sports programs

Shopping discounts

Qualifikationen

• In-depth knowledge of railway infrastructure and/or experience in the railway industry desirable.
• Completed master's or diploma degree in relevant fields.
• Good written and spoken German and English skills.

Aufgaben

• Conduct independent scientific work towards a dissertation.
• Develop measurement and evaluation methods.
• Plan and execute laboratory tests and in-situ measurements.
• Contribute to simulation models for interpreting measurement data.

Kenntnisse

Knowledge of railway infrastructure

Measurement technology

Simulation and measurement

Teaching skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Ausbildung

Master's or diploma degree in Civil engineering

Mechanical engineering

Jobbeschreibung

Institute of Railway Infrastructure Design

Organisation/Company Graz University of Technology Department Institute of Railway Infrastructure Design Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Austria Application Deadline 17 Jan 2026 - 23:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 2120 / 2025 / 8983 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Your Responsibilities

The Institute of Railway Infrastructure Design focuses on the railway track system from conceptual planning, design and construction, all the way to maintenance and system evaluation. To strengthen our research area on turnout systems, we are looking for a dedicated individual who will explore the following exciting topics as part of a doctoral thesis:

• Independent scientific work with the goal of completing a dissertation in the field of turnout systems
• Development of measurement and evaluation methods based on laboratory and in-situ measurements
• Planning, preparation, and execution of laboratory tests, as well as involvement in in-situ measurement campaigns on track
• Contribution to the creation of simulation models (e.g., multibody systems, basic friction and drive models) for interpreting measurement data and performing sensitivity analyses
• Participation in the structural design and optimization of track and switch control components (in cooperation with industry partners)
• Support in teaching and examination activities in the area of railway infrastructure design
• Involvement in courses, supervision of students (project and thesis work)
• Contribution to organizational and administrative tasks of the institute
• Willingness to participate in training and continuing education

Your Profile

• In-depth knowledge of railway infrastructure and/or experience in the railway industry desirable
• Knowledge of measurement technology, superstructure component design, or simulation advantageous
• Experience in combining simulation and measurement (laboratory or field tests, system identification) advantageous
• Teaching skills and enjoyment of teaching desirable
• High degree of initiative, organizational skills, team orientation, and strong communication skills are advantageous

Admission Requirements

• Completed master's or diploma degree - Fields of study: Civil engineering - Infrastructure / structural engineering or mechanical engineering - Production engineering / computational engineering / product development of mechatronic systems or comparable
• Good written and spoken German and English skills

We Offer

• Interesting area of responsibility
• Collegial and friendly working atmosphere
• Flexible working schedule (e.g. possibility for home office, paid lunch break - depending on working hours)
• International training and teaching opportunities
• Seal of quality for in-house advancement of women
• Company pension funds
• Subsidy for public transport
• University’s sports program
• Shopping Discounts
• Workplace Health Management
• Top research infrastructure and access to the latest technologies
• Exciting opportunities for professional and personal development
• Safe and stable working environment

We offer an annual gross salary of at least € 52,007.20 for a fulltime position. An overpayment based on qualification and experience is possible.

Equality Principle

Graz University of Technology aims to increase the proportion of women, in particular in management and academic staff, and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to women if applicants are equally qualified.

Graz University of Technology actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. Applicants are not to be discriminated against in personnel selection procedures on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or ideology, age, sexual orientation (Anti-discrimination).

People with disabilities and who have the relevant qualifications are expressly invited to apply.

Organisational Unit

Together with you and our partners in the RCRS, we at the Institute of Railway Infrastructure Design want to prepare the railway for the challenges of the future. Our task is to understand and further research the basic physics of the interaction of wheel-rail forces and their load transfer, as well as to study complex systems (switches, crossings, etc.) in detail. With this knowledge, we can adapt the dimensions of the superstructure to the increasing loads of the future (more rail traffic), making it more resistant and at the same time requiring less maintenance. Measurements on the track and in the laboratory enable us to work on and verify these issues.

About us

Graz University of Technology is the longest-established university of technology in Austria. Here, successful teams of students, talented up-and-coming scientists, ambitious researchers and a lively start-up scene enjoy an inspirational environment as well as access to top-quality equipment. And all this in one of the most innovative and livable regions in Europe. TU Graz offers an inspiring working environment with outstanding infrastructure and service-oriented university management.

In this video, we give you an insight into the working environment at TU Graz: HERE

Contact

Institut for Railway Infrastructure Design
Univ.-Prof. Dr.techn. Ferdinand POSPISCHIL, M.Sc.
Head of Institute
Member of RCRS - Research Cluster Railway Systems - https:\Rcrs.tugraz.at
Inffeldgasse 25f (1. Floor) - 8010 Graz
e-mail: [e-mail]