Scientific project assistant postdoc

Scientific project assistant postdoc

51 Faculty of Physics
Startdate:01.07.2026 | Working hours:40 | Collective bargaining agreement:§48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)
Reference no.:5611

The University of Vienna is one of Europe’s leading research universities, committed to excellence in research and teaching.

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the international French-Austrian project ChirTrans: Chiral transport controlled by flow microstructure co-financed by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and the French National Research Agency (ANR).

Where you will be:

The position is hosted by the research group Computational and Soft Matter Physics at the Faculty of Physics in the group of Dr. Andreas Zöttl.

About the project:

ChirTrans investigates how chirality of swimming bacteria determines their active transport processes in complex microstructured heterogeneous environments and in complex shear flows. It combines computational and theoretical modeling at the University of Vienna with experiments performed at ESPCI Paris. Our previous work demonstrated the importance of bacterial chirality in transport in simple microchannel flows and near plane surfaces. ChirTrans now aims to uncover how chirality impacts bacterial transport in more complex microstructured environments.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to internationally visible, frontier research. You will have the chance to help build and shape a high-impact interdisciplinary research group while working on your own research.

Your responsibilities:

As a Postdoctoral Researcher you will:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on computational modeling and simulation of bacterial dynamics using coarse-grained hydrodynamic modeling (Brownian Dynamics, Multiparticle Collision Dynamics, etc)
• Contribute to and lead academic publications in top-tier journals
• Collaborate closely with experimental collaboration partner at ESPCI Paris led by Prof. Anke Lindner
• Present research outcomes at international conferences
• You may contribute to teaching activities depending on interest and availability, in which case you participate in evaluation measures and in quality assurance.

Your profile:

• Completed PhD in physics, biophysics, physical engineering, or a closely related field
• Strong background in soft matter physics or biophysics
• Experience with theoretical modeling, computer simulations and data analysis
• Programming skills in Python and/or C++/Fortran
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment
• Excellent command of English (working language of the project)
• Experience with experimental collaborations is an advantage
• Experience with high-performance computing is an advantage

What we offer:

• Integration into a high-profile international project with strong international visibility
• Possibility for experimental collaboration and research visits at ESPCI Paris
• Access to high performance computing facilities
• Possibility to establish new collaborations within the Computational and Soft Matter Physics Group
• A dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment at the University of Vienna
• Opportunities for career development and international networking
• Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 5.014,30 (14 times a year) for a period of 2 years
• Flexible starting date (between 01.07.2026 and 01.01.2027)

Application documents:

Please apply by submitting:

• Letter of motivation incl. research interests (1 page)
• Academic CV (incl. publication list)
• Doctoral Degree or Statement of expected date of graduation
• Contact details of at least two referees

If you have any questions, please contact:

Andreas Zöttl
andreas.zoettl@univie.ac.at

Application deadline: 05/31/2026