Work where science meets quality of life: The University of Klagenfurt is a dynamic and internationally oriented university in the heart of the Alps-Adriatic region. With around 1,700 employees and 13,000 students, we combine an excellent research climate, innovative teaching, and an open, appreciative culture. Our core values – equality, diversity, health, sustainability, and the compatibility of work and family – shape our daily interactions.
The following position will be filled at the Department of Networked and Embedded Systems at the Faculty of Technical Sciences. The starting date is negotiable; the preferred starting date is November 16, 2026, the latest possible starting date is January 11, 2027.
University Assistant Predoctoral (all genders welcome)
Level of employment: 100 % (40 hours/week)
Minimum salary: € 52,865.40 per annum (gross), classification according to collective agreement: B1
Limited to: 4 years
Application deadline: October 14, 2026
Reference code: 505/26
Your responsibilities – what awaits you:
- Research in one of the following three domains:
- Machine learning (e.g., with application to communication systems, or energy systems, or biomedical/healthcare systems, or computer vision)
- Communication systems and signal processing (e.g., wireless communications, power line communications, communication and sensing)
- Electronic based systems (e.g., circuits and systems for communications)
- Independent research with the aim to submit a dissertation and acquire the doctoral degree / Ph.D.
- Teaching in the field of electrical and computer engineering
- Participation in administrative and organisational tasks of the department
- Student mentoring
- Assistance in public relations activities of department and faculty
The topic will be carefully tailored to match the candidate’s background, expertise, and research interests.
Your profile and requirements:
- The completion of a university degree (Master or Diplom-Ingenieur) at a domestic or foreign higher education institution in the field of electrical engineering, information and communications engineering, computer engineering, or closely related fields
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- Experience in three or more of the following fields: machine learning, signal/data processing, communications theory, information theory, circuits and systems theory, control theory, wireless communications, power line communications, smart grids
- Completed courses or projects in the degree program in the specified research domains
- Academic theses in one of the specified research domains
- A solid foundation in both engineering mathematics and statistics
- Programming skills, one or more among: C/C++, Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, GNU radio, VHDL, HFSS, CST, ADS
- Ability to present with clarity and rigour a technical subject
This distinguishes you additionally:
- Knowledge of German
- Good social, team work and communication competences
- First research contributions (in the thesis, with participation in research projects and/or publications)
- Relevant international experience
Why you will enjoy working with us:
- The employment contract is concluded for the position as university assistant (predoctoral) and stipulates a starting salary of € 3,776.10 gross per month (14 times a year; previous experience deemed relevant to the job can be recognised)
- Work where it works best for you – thanks to flexible working hours and remote options
- Team spirit meets diversity – bring your individual background into our dedicated team
- Sustainably mobile – your workplace is on our green campus and easily accessible by public transport
- With us, equal opportunities apply to all: We look forward to every additional personality in the team
- Personal and professional development through diverse offers
- Numerous attractive additional benefits – including non-working days on December 24, December 31, and Good Friday, and a company pension contribution
- Family-friendly and health-promoting university culture - Our family services support staff with questions around childcare, compatibility, and family life and offers flexible care and holiday programmes. At the same time, we strengthen health and well-being with a diverse sports, massage, and preventive care programme – see https://jobs.aau.at/en/the-university-as-employer/
This position serves the purposes of the vocational and scientific education of graduates of Master’s or Diploma degree programmes and sets the goal of completing a doctoral degree / a Ph.D. in Technical Sciences. Applications by persons who have already completed a subject-specific doctoral degree or a subject-relevant Ph.D. programme therefore cannot be considered.
The successful candidate will join the Embedded Communication Systems Group, led by Professor Andrea Tonello. The group researchers work on: a) machine learning and signal/data processing (with application to energy systems, biomedical systems, computer vision), b) analysis, modelling and design of wireless and power line communication (PLC) technologies, c) electronics for communications and for smart/embedded systems including measurement techniques and robotics. Current projects include research on the mathematics of ML, information theoretic ML, applied ML (to computer vision, energy systems, communication systems, bioengineering, robotics), power grid communications, sensing and diagnostics, radio propagation and sensing techniques for 6G, UAV dynamics and navigation.
Successful applicants will be encouraged to publish and present their work in top-tier venues for the corresponding research domain, e.g., IEEE transactions, top IEEE conferences, top ML conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR), and will have the opportunity to cooperate with our world-renowned international partners in science and industry.
We look forward to receiving your application via our Job Portal under the reference code 505/26 no later than October 14, 2026. Candidates must furnish proof that they meet the required qualifications by the end of the application deadline.
If you are interested in this position, please apply in German or English providing the following mandatory documents:
- One-page letter of motivation indicating the research domain of interest
- Curriculum vitae with clear information about the degrees including date/place/grade, the experience acquired, the thesis title, the list of publications if any, and any other relevant information (please do not include a photo)
- Copy of the degree certificates (both Bachelor and Master)
- Copy of official transcripts of the courses with grades (both Bachelor and Master)
- Master’s thesis. If the thesis is not available, the candidate should provide a draft or an explanation
- Any certificates that can prove the fulfilment of the required and additional qualifications listed above (e.g., the submission of the final thesis/dissertation if required by the degree programme, copy of publications, programming skills certificates, language skills certificates etc.)
Do you have further questions? Please contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andrea M. Tonello (Andrea.Tonello@aau.at, http://nes.aau.at). Recruitment and staff matters at the University of Klagenfurt are accompanied by the authority responsible for the recruitment procedure as well as by the Equal Opportunities Working Group and, if applicable, by the Representative for Disabled Persons.
The University of Klagenfurt strives to increase the proportion of women in all areas where they are underrepresented and expressly encourages qualified women to apply. In case of equal qualifications, women will be given preference. The University of Klagenfurt is committed to anti-discrimination, equal opportunities, and diversity. People with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses who meet the required qualification criteria are expressly encouraged to apply.