Job description:
The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking a/an
University Assistant Predoctoral - PhD Position in Inorganic & Materials Chemistry
52 Faculty of Chemistry Startdate: 01.01.2026 |
Working hours: 30 |
Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited until: permanent
Reference no.: 4950
Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where more than 7,500 academics thrive on curiosity in continuous exploration and help us better understand our world. Does this sound like you? Then join our accomplished team!
Your personal sphere of influence:
The Chin Research Group at the Department of Functional Materials and Catalysis at the Faculty of Chemistry develops advanced porous materials (MOF and COF) for sensing, energy conversion and catalysis.
This PhD project aims to control the growth, alignment, and assembly of framework materials using external fields (electric, magnetic, or flow) to create structured, anisotropic, and multifunctional materials. By coupling field-driven orientation with compositional design, the project will reveal how directional control over framework domains influences charge transport, optical response, and catalytic performance. Applications include enhanced electrochemical sensing, field-responsive coatings, and energy-harvesting architectures. The candidate will use advanced fabrication, microscopy, and spectroscopy techniques, and work within an interdisciplinary team spanning materials chemistry, surface science, and applied physics.
The position is embedded in the Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry (DoSChem), Austria’s largest graduate network in chemical sciences, providing training, mentoring, and networking in a world-class research environment. You will join a vibrant and international research environment within the Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry (DoSChem) – Austria’s largest doctoral training program in chemistry. DoSChem brings together more than 200 doctoral students and over 50 PIs, fostering interdisciplinary and curiosity-driven research.
The contract duration is 3 years with a preliminary limitation of 1,5 years and will automatically be extended to 3 years unless the employer hands in a non-extension declaration after 12 months. An extension up to a total of 4 years is then possible provided the excellent performance of the candidate.
Your future tasks:
You actively participate in research, teaching & administration, which means you:
- Synthesize and characterize MOF/COF/HOF materials and composites
- Investigate field-assisted growth and assembly using electric, magnetic, or electrohydrodynamic stimuli
- Fabricate structured and patterned films for sensing, photonic and energy applications
- Correlate orientation, morphology, and functionality using microscopy and spectroscopy
- Contribute to publications, conferences, and collaborative projects
- Participate in mentoring and teaching activities within the department
- Hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
- Contribute to the administration and smooth running of the research group
- Take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.
- We expect you to finalize your dissertation agreement within 12-18 months.
- You work on your dissertation and its completion.
This is part of your personality:
Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline (grade of at least 2 in Austrian system / GPA ≥ 3.5/4)
Strong background in inorganic or materials chemistry
Experience in the basic handling of DNA or peptides is an advantage.
Experience in materials synthesis and characterization is a must. (MOF/COF synthesis or colloidal assembly is an advantage)
Evidence of scientific writing and publications is a plus.
Excellent communication and data presentation skills
Fluent in English (German is an advantage)
Motivated, collaborative, and able to work independently
Expectations for successful candidates
The language of the school is English; therefore, English is required, German is appreciated. Further expectations are:
- Strong communication, data presentation and visualization skills
- Ability to work both, independently and collaboratively
What we offer:
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 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.
Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3.714,80 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.
Contract duration: The employment duration is 3 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 3 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a declaration of non-extension. An extension up to a total of 4 years is then possible provided the excellent performance of the candidate.
Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!
It is that easy to apply:
Please submit the following documents in English as a SINGLE PDF document through our job portal ("Apply now" - button), Job-ID 4950:
- Strong motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Copies of Bachelor and Master degree certificates in German or in certified English translation (including CREDIT TRANSCRIPTS!)
- Contact information of two referees, who have PREVIOUSLY SUPERVISED you in your past research projects
If you have any questions, please contact:
Jia Min Chin
jiamin.chin@univie.ac.at
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: 12/09/2025
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