University Assistant Predoctoral/PhD Candidate, Physics

Emerging Scholars Council; Vienna (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Vienna invites applications for a 4-year praedoc position in the Quantum Nanophysics team. You will join Prof. Markus Arndt and work on matter-wave interferometry with nanoparticles, contributing to source development, detectors, and high-mass quantum experiments.

You will present your research plan, pursue a dissertation, and engage in teaching and outreach while collaborating within a large quantum science community.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or diploma in physics or equivalent enabling PhD enrollment.
• Strong experimental planning, execution and data analysis skills.
• Experience in at least two of: molecular beam sources, UHV systems, nanoparticle cooling, cluster science, optics, lasers, mass spectrometry.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Work on the V-QUTE project and advance matter-wave interferometry research.
• Present your research plan to the faculty and complete a dissertation agreement within 12–18 months.
• Aim to complete your dissertation in 4 years with independence and collaboration.
• Contribute to teaching of lab courses and exercises as per policy.
• Handle administrative tasks and support group organization.
• Stay informed about state-of-the-art developments in the field.
• Engage in outreach via publications, conferences and public activities.

Skills

Experimental skills

Team player

English proficiency

Physics discipline

Education

Master's degree in physics

Tools

Laser systems

Cryogenic UHV systems

Nanoparticle cooling

Job description

If You Have Any Content Questions, Please Contact Markus Arndt

At the University of Vienna almost 11,000 personalities work together towards answering the big questions of the future. Around 7,700 of them do research and teaching, around 3,000 work in administration and organisation. We are looking for a/an 51 Faculty of Physics.

Startdate: 01.10.2026 | Working hours: 30 | Collective bargaining agreement:

• 48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) Limited until: 30.09.2030 Reference no.: 6029

Are you passionate about science and the life of an experimental scientist? Do you want to shift the boundaries of scientific knowledge? Are you technically skilled around real-world laboratory experiments, and a genuine team player? Then consider joining the Quantum Nanophysics team.

Your Personal Sphere Of Influence

As a university assistant (praedoc) on this 4-year position, you will be part of the Quantum Nanophysics Team (QNP) around Prof. Markus Arndt. Our group is working on experiments at the interface between quantum and classical physics as well as between quantum and bio-molecular science. We develop universal matter-wave interferometry in the limit of high mass and high complexity, from organic molecules to metal clusters and dielectric nanoparticles from molecular beams to levitated optomechanics.

We work on novel tools for quantum sensing, mass spectrometry and biomolecular chemistry.

Our team is member of the Austrian Cluster of Excellence (qAustria), of the Vienna Doctoral School in Physics (VDSP), of the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ) and of the faculty research group on Quantum Science. You will be part of a thriving community with more than 100 quantum scientists on premise, about 300 in Vienna and more than 600 quantum researchers across Austria.

The QNP team unites a team of 15 -17 scientists (Master student, PhD student, postdoc, senior scientist), currently of six different nations, which are inspired by working together on solving technical challenges to advance fundamental questions of quantum science. Together we have a unique skill set and knowledge base in quantum interferometry, molecular science, opto-mechanics, quantum sensing, particle beam methods, laser technology, physical chemistry. Working with us means learning something new every day.

You will be affiliated with the research project V-QUTE, where we will push the limits of matter-wave interferometry with nanoparticles. This comprises the development of new sources for very cold particles with high phase space density and loading rate, quantum coherent beam splitters, advanced detectors in a mass range that is challenging for both mass spectrometers and optical detectors, the design and realization of a new matter-wave interferometer design that matches the particular requirements of very massive particles, the application of specialized ultraviolet laser systems and more. Our dream is to push the limits of quantum superposition/macroscopicity by 4-6 orders of magnitude over the state of the art. The experiment will be prepared in the established premises and moved to a new laboratory in 2027.

Your Future Tasks

• You are involved in a specific research project, currently designated as V-QUTE, where we aim at pushing the mass limits of matter-wave interferometry and macroscopicity in quantum physics.
• You will present your research plan to the faculty and complete a dissertation agreement within 12-18 months. This will be reviewed and adapted on an annual basis.
• You will work on your dissertation and aim at a completion in 4 years. We expect a high degree of independence paired with a high level of social competence to be successful in the team.
• You will contribute to teaching (lab courses, exercise classes) within the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You will fill some administrative tasks, contributing to the success and self-organization of the group for research, teaching and administration.
• You will continuously stay informed about the state of the art in your field.
• You contribute to outreach by publications, conference presentations and public activities.

This Is Part Of Your Personality

• You must have completed your Master's degree or Diploma in physics before you start your position, or hold an equivalent qualification that allows enrollment as a PhD student at the University of Vienna by that date.
• This experiment requires high experimental skills from planning to implementation to data acquisition and processing.
• You must have extended hands-on experience in at least two of the following areas:
• molecular beam sources,
• (cryogenic) ultra-high-vacuum systems,
• nanoparticle cooling,
• cluster science,
• advanced optics,
• laser systems and frequency conversion,
• mass spectrometry or matter-wave research.
• Demonstrable experimental design, construction and troubleshooting skills in the laboratory are essential - please document them in your application.
• You must have an excellent command of written and spoken English.

What We Offer

• Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.
• Potential for development: If you are ambitious and successful, there are opportunities to connect with top research groups in the world.
• Internal further training & coaching: The Vienna Doctoral School as well as the department of human resources offer opportunities to grow your skills in hundreds of courses – free of charge.
• Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3.776,10 (full-time basis, 14x p.a.), increases if we can credit professional experience. The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.
• Equal opportunities for everyone: 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 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.

Data protection

Application deadline: 08/24/2026

Prae Doc