13 University Assistants Prae-Doc (all genders) 40 hours/week | limited to 3 years

TU Wien is Austria's largest institution of research and higher education in the fields of technology and natural sciences. With over 26,000 students and more than 4000 scientists, research, teaching, and learning dedicated to the advancement of science and technology have been conducted here for more than 200 years, guided by the motto "Technology for People". As a driver of innovation, TU Wien fosters close collaboration with business and industry and contributes to the prosperity of society.

We announce 13 open positions as Doctoral Candidates (Pre-Doc) within the TU Austria Doctoral School "TU-BRIDGE" (TU Austria Doc School for Battery Imaging, Durability, Aging & Recycling), which are expected to start in October 2026 (an earlier or later start is possible, depending on the individual Doctoral Project, see below).

TU-BRIDGE is a completely new research and doctoral training format bringing together researchers from TU Graz, TU Wien, and Montanuniversität Leoben to shape the future of battery research in Austria. By embedding cutting-edge research projects within a jointly developed doctoral training framework, this program aims to address key challenges in the battery value chain, from improving battery lifespan to developing sustainable recycling methods. The doctoral school hosts 13 Doctoral Projects (DPs, one per doctoral candidate) that run over 4 years in a structured, collaborative, and internationally competitive training program.

TU-BRIDGE represents a significant step towards building a cohesive network of innovation leaders and future scientific leaders across the whole battery value chain by supporting academic and non-academic research initiatives. As demand grows, the need for smarter, safer, and more sustainable battery solutions becomes increasingly urgent. To address these interconnected challenges, TU-BRIDGE pursues an integrated approach and focuses on these three key themes:

• Digital Twins – Using advanced models to simulate battery behavior, enabling better design, safer operation, and more efficient manufacturing and recycling
• Defects & Aging – Investigating how defects form and how batteries degrade over time, with the aim of improving safety, reliability, and performance
• Recycling Technology – Developing eco-friendly, chemistry-agnostic methods to recover valuable materials from batteries at the end of their lifetime

For the positions at TU Wien, the following is offered:

• 40 hours/week, fixed-term for 3 years, with a possibility of extension to a maximum of 4 years, depending on the project - see individual project description for details

For the positions at TU Graz and Montanuniversität Leoben, the following is offered:

• 40 hours/week, fixed-term for 4 years

Each DP will be led by a supervisory team of 3 professors from the relevant disciplines and institutions. Further details on TU-BRIDGE, the place of employment, duration of the working contract, and the individual DPs can be found here.

Tasks:

• Deepen scientific knowledge and independent research work on one of the DPs
• Presentation of research results at international conferences and other scientific events
• Successful completion of key milestones within the TU Austria DOC School program
• Participation in scientific events and other outreach activities organized by TU Austria and the hosting university
• Preparation of publications which form the basis for a Doctoral thesis
• Participation in organizational and administrative tasks of the doctoral college (e.g., participation in doctoral committees)
• Participation in secondments at partner organizations; the extent depends on your DP and ranges from short visits (multiple days) to multi-month stays at different locations in Austria
• Engagement in teaching, supervision of students and exams

Your profile:

• A diploma or master university degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, chemistry, physics, mechanical, metallurgy, materials science or a related discipline
• Experience in relevant research fields of the selected DP is an advantage
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English
• Active participation in scientific collaboration
• Team competences and problem-solving skills
• Positive attitude and contribution to the work environment
• Striving for continuous personal development, including the willingness to complete your doctoral studies at one of the three TU Austria universities
• German language proficiency at B2 level is preferred; Candidates should be prepared to develop sufficient German skills to actively participate in the academic environment
• Admission Requirements and further essential qualifications depend on the specific DP, as listed here

We offer:

• Diverse and exciting research projects on cutting edge topics in battery research
• Continuing personal and professional education (e.g., Career Development Plans)
• High-quality supervision by renowned scientists
• Access to world-class infrastructure (e.g., X-Ray center @TU Wien, pilot plants of our project partners)
• Ample possibilities for building an international research network, completing secondments, and establishing research collaborations
• Courses on soft skills (ethics, writing, IPR etc.)
• Competitive salary and travel budget
• Social benefits (e.g., health insurance, etc.)
• Administrative support in study and organizational questions
• Excellent location near the city center of either Vienna, Leoben, or Graz (place of employment depends on your DP)

Details about the above benefits may vary depending on the host university.

Entry level salary is determined by the pay grade B1 of the Austrian collective agreement for university staff. This is a minimum of currently EUR 3,776.10/month gross, 14 times/year for 40 hours/week. Qualifications and experience may increase the monthly income.

We look forward to receiving your application until June 18th, 2026.

Recruitment Process:

The TU-BRIDGE consortium is dedicated to gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity in recruiting, as well as our activities in teaching, and outreach. Specifically, TU-BRIDGE aims to increase the proportion of women in research, and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to women if applicants are equally qualified. 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.

The recruitment procedure will closely follow the guidelines of the TU Wien Doctoral Center. For more information, please click here.

 

Applications:

Please apply exclusively via the TU Wien job portal (even for DPs hosted at MU Leoben and TU Graz!). Applications will be shared within the TU-BRIDGE consortium. By submitting your application, you explicitly agree that your application is forwarded to all relevant persons at TU Wien, TU Graz, as well as Montanuniversität Leoben.


Applications must include the following documents (applications not following the page limits cannot be considered, all page limits refer to 12 pt., 1.5 line spacing, 2.5 cm page margins):

• CV (maximum 1 page) including publications, conference contributions, and other scientific activities and achievements (if available)
• A short summary of the diploma/master thesis (maximum 1 page, must include a figure)
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates; if the degree certificate is not yet available, a current transcript of records.
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page) providing a list of maximum three preferred DPs from the list of DPs (please rank the DPs). This cover letter must include a statement indicating which AI tools (if any) were used in the preparation of your application documents
• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page) indicating for which DP project(s) you are applying. If you are applying for more than one project, this must be clearly reflected in the motivation letter

Apply now https://jobs.tuwien.ac.at/Register/267583

Furthermore, please note that applicants will not normally be reimbursed for travel costs incurred in connection with this admission process.