Senior Scientist Core Facility \"ACTRIS\"

University of Vienna; Wien; Vor Ort; EUR 63.000 - 77.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible working hours

International academic team

Public transport access

600 courses to choose from – free of

Internal training & coaching

Zusammenfassung

The University of Vienna’s Aerosol Physics and Environmental Physics Group invites applications for a Senior Scientist to contribute to ground-based and airborne research on aerosols and clouds. You will work on field campaigns, develop analysis tools in Python, and help maintain the ACTRIS Aerosol Observatory core facility.

You will lead experiments, collaborate internationally, supervise students, and participate in teaching and outreach as part of a dynamic, world-class physics team in Vienna.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in physics or aerosol-related fields.
• Expertise in atmospheric/aerosol physics and in-field measurements.
• Excellent Python programming skills and experience with Git.
• Willingness to travel internationally for campaigns.
• On-site presence in Vienna required.

Aufgaben

• Participate in ground-based and airborne field campaigns with international partners.
• Conduct multi-week field deployments for aircraft measurements.
• Focus on airborne in-situ observations using OAPs and aerosol instruments.
• Develop novel methods and analysis tools for coarse-mode aerosol and cloud data.
• Maintain the ACTRIS Aerosol Observatory instrumentation and coordinate campaigns.
• Process, quality-control, and deliver data for Austria's ACTRIS contributions.
• Present findings at conferences and support outreach.
• Train students and contribute to project applications.

Kenntnisse

Aerosol physics

Python programming

In-field experimental work

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Ausbildung

PhD in physics or atmospheric sciences

Tools

Python

Git

Aerosol instruments (OAP CIP PIP 2DS HVPS)

Lab safety equipment

Jobbeschreibung

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 Core Facility 'ACTRIS'

51 Faculty of Physics

Startdate: 15.10.2026 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement:

• 48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc) Reference no.: 6162

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.

Your Future Tasks

• 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

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!

If You Have Any Questions, Please Contact

Bernadett Weinzierl

[e-mail]

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: 09/24/2026

Senior Lecturer & Researcher