Head of Research Unit - Instrumentation and Testing (all genders) // Job-ID: 164-1

Graz, Austria

Unspecified

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Your future responsibilities

We are looking for a highly talented Research Unit Leader who will lead and drive the highest quality, industrial-grade research in power electronics devices.

Leadership responsibilities

• Continue to develop the unit of 10 researchers focused on control platforms for power electronic converter systems for a wide range of sectors and applications.
• Provide vision for long-term research opportunities in power electronics.
• Establish and manage research projects with a wide range of industrial and academic partners.
• Shaping the department's research programme and project portfolio with supervisors and peers.
• Effectively delegate research issues to the right combination of SAL scientists and researchers for best team performance.
• Plan and control the research unit's budget and resources.
• Provide overall leadership for the research unit to deliver high quality research outputs, innovation and economic impact.

Technology

• Development of hardware and software for power electronic systems. Focus on microcontroller and FPGA-based control platforms for typically complex converter systems with demanding requirements (in terms of dynamics, synchronised paralleling, fail-safe solutions).
• Model-based design of firmware and software for both FPGA and microcontroller control platforms.
• Development of control architectures and modulation strategies for dynamic and efficient converter systems
• Vision of how future power electronics systems and their control units can benefit from other scientific domains (e.g. artificial intelligence, sensor technology, numerical techniques...).

Your profile

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Control Engineering or related fields with a specialisation in power electronics.
• At least 8 years of practical experience in power electronics. Experience in an academic environment is an advantage.
• Expertise in power electronics with a focus on control engineering.
• Strong scientific track record as evidenced by publications, invited talks, etc.
• Project management skills.
• Experience in the Austrian and European funding landscape preferred.
• Active industrial and academic network preferred.
• Contacts within the international power electronics industrial network are a plus.
• Autonomous, well organised and enjoy working in a dynamic and multicultural team.
• Innovative and keen to find solutions to applied research challenges.
• Leadership qualities, ability to inspire, develop and motivate young scientists and researchers to perform at their best.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Important Facts about SAL

• Diversified research activities with plenty of technical challenges.
• State-of-the-art lab facilities and instruments.
• Internal and external training opportunities for further development.
• Home Office possible.
• € 4 per day food allowance in restaurants or € 2 per day in supermarkets.
• Family & kids friendly.
• Free coffee/milk/tea & fresh fruits.
• Start: as soon as possible.

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) in occupational group G (G1 salary = EUR 5.546, paid 14 times a year). Your actual salary depends on your experience and qualifications. We offer a gross salary in the range between EUR 85.000 to EUR 120.000 (annual, based on an All-in contract and bonus).

Become part of Silicon Austria Labs

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) has been founded to be a top Euro­pean re­search center for elec­tronic-based systems. The Division Power Electronics cooperates with world leading scientific and industrial partners to provide technologies for the power electronic systems of tomorrow.

About us

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a top research center for Electronics and Software Based Systems (ESBS). At three locations (Graz, Villach, Linz), SAL is conducting research along the entire ESBS value chain in the areas of sensor systems, power electronics, intelligent wireless systems, microsystems and embedded systems to develop future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility, safety and more. SAL brings together key players from industry, science and research and thus valuable expertise and know-how and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is thus shaping the high-tech location Austria and Europe and developing the future 

Innovation is our top priority and so are our employees. We are a family-friendly company and support the compatibility of work and family as much as possible. That is why we have been awarded the Work and Family Certificate until 2026. But we are constantly working on new measures to offer our employees an environment where they feel good, healthy and motivated.

Job details

Title
Head of Research Unit - Instrumentation and Testing (all genders) // Job-ID: 164-1

Employer
Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)

Location
Inffeldgasse 33 Graz, Austria

Published
2025-04-22

Application deadline
Unspecified

Job type
Management / Leadership

Field
Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics,