Postdoc for Astronomical Observing Programs at the Leopold Figl Observatory

Internetchemie; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Vienna invites applications for a 48‑month position in the Department of Astrophysics. Based at the University Observatory in Vienna, you will contribute to the Figl 2030 project, perform photometric follow-up of exoplanet candidates, and help upgrade the telescope and camera system.

You will develop time-domain research, establish observing programs, and participate in publications, outreach, and student supervision, with remote work from Vienna and occasional telescope visits.

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics completed by the starting date.
• Experience with optical astronomical observations.
• Experience with high-precision photometry and time-series analysis.
• Research experience demonstrated by publications appropriate to career stage.
• Strong programming skills (Python) and experience with astronomical data processing.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Category B driver's license or willingness to obtain one before/soon after start.

Responsibilities

• Help establish and operate observing programs, especially exoplanet follow-up at the 1.5 m Leopold Figl telescope.
• Build up your research profile in time-domain science with independent projects.
• Participate in commissioning and science verification of the new wide-field camera system.
• Develop, maintain, and document data reduction and photometry pipelines for high-precision time-series photometry.
• Coordinate the observatory's participation in international follow-up programs (e.g., NASA's TESS).
• Lead and participate in scientific publications and present results at international meetings.
• Contribute to outreach activities.
• Co-supervise Bachelor and Master students and involve them in observations.
• Hold courses independently within collective bargaining provisions.

Skills

PhD in astronomy

Optical astronomical observations

High-precision photometry

Time-series analysis

Publications in astronomy

Programming skills (Python)

English fluency

Driver's license (B)

Education

PhD in Astronomy

Tools

Python

Astronomical data processing

Job description

Your working place:

The Department of Astrophysics with currently around 100 members is part of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy at the University of Vienna.
You will be at the center of the Figl 2030 project, which dedicates a large share of the observing time of the 1.5 m Leopold Figl telescope to the photometric follow-up of transiting exoplanet candidates identified by space missions such as TESS and PLATO. This includes false-positive screening and the refinement of transit parameters. The telescope is currently being upgraded with a new wide-field camera system. You will be based at the University Observatory in Vienna and help build up the observing program, including taking observations yourself. The team observes mostly remotely from Vienna, with occasional work at the telescope on Mitterschöpfl.

The position is set for 48 months, with a preferred starting date of January 1, 2027.

Your future tasks:

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

• As part of a team, you help establish and operate observing programs - in particular those related to exoplanet research - at the 1.5 m Leopold Figl telescope.
• You build up your research profile in time-domain science with room for independent projects and collaborations.
• You participate in the commissioning and science verification of the new wide-field camera system.
• You develop, maintain, and document the data reduction and photometry pipelines required for high-precision time-series photometry.
• You help coordinate the observatory's participation in international follow-up programs (e.g., for NASA's TESS mission).
• You lead and participate in scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and present results at international meetings.
• You contribute to the outreach activities.
• You can (co-)supervise Bachelor and Master students and involve students in the observations.
• You can hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Your profile:

Must-haves

• A PhD degree in astronomy, astrophysics, or a closely related field, completed by the starting date.
• Experience with optical astronomical observations.
• Experience with high-precision photometry and/or time-series analysis.
• Research experience in observational astronomy, demonstrated through publications appropriate to your career stage.
• Solid programming skills (e.g., Python) and experience with astronomical data processing.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• A category B driver’s license (Austrian Führerschein B or an equivalent from another country), or the willingness to obtain one before or shortly after the start of the position.

Good-to-haves

• Experience with exoplanet transit observations and light curve modeling.
• Experience with telescope operations, instrument commissioning, or remote observing.
• Experience with infrared astronomical observations.
• Hands‑on technical or engineering experience, for example with observatory hardware, instrumentation, electronics, or mechanical systems, whether from astronomy or another field.
• Experience in the supervision of students and in public outreach.
• Knowledge of German.

Your working style is independent, structured, and solution-oriented. You thrive in collaborative, international teams and enjoy tackling technical challenges in dynamic environments. You are a team player and have good social and communicative skills.

What we offer:

Inspiring working atmosphere: You 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 theAustrian Scientific Computing (ASC) super‑computing facility. As a member state of ESO and ESA, Austria has access to their first‑class observing facilities, and the Department of Astrophysics is a partner in three instrument consortia for ESO's Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction.

Work‑life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours. Upon agreement, hybrid working hours within Austria might be possible up to a certain extent.

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.

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 5.014,30 (14 times a year) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all:

We look forward to diverse personalities in the team!

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 anddiversity. 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.

Data protection
Application deadline:10/15/2026

If you have any questions, please contact:

Stefan Meingast

[e-mail]