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Senior Scientist XRD Laboratory Management 

53 Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy 

Job vacancy starting: 07/01/2026 | Working hours: 40,00  | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc) 

Limited contract until: 

Job ID: 5246

We are looking for a Senior Scientist to develop, organize and operate the key laboratories of the Geoscientific X-ray Analyses (GeoX), an established laboratory facility within the Earth sciences departments of the Faculty, and a partner of the future strategic research hub and inter-university competence platform Cryst@VIE.

The position is initially limited to three years. It may be converted into unlimited employment upon mutual agreement.

Your personal sphere of play:

The GeoX laboratories, which comprise a total of ten XRD instruments, are currently anchored with the Earth science department ofMineralogy and Crystallography at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy. The senior scientist will be supervised directly by the department's leadership.

The highly-motivated senior scientist will have the opportunity as an expert for the XRD methodology to develop and manage the key laboratories and their specific instrumentation, which includes the development of a user base within the faculty but also beyond geoscience in close collaboration with partners from other departments, faculties and universities. This also includes partners from non-academic organisations, companies and industry, in particular within the new Cryst@VIE hub and its network. 

Your future tasks:

• Management of the geoscientific X-ray diffraction laboratory "GeoX" in particular the technical maintenance of the instruments, as well as ensuring and documenting the operation of the individual diffractometers, as well as administration of the user base.
• Performing measurements, evaluations, report preparation, and invoicing for contract analyses in the field of X-ray crystallography.
• Supporting and training independent instrument users.
• Teaching theory and practice in X-ray crystallography and its application to powder diffractometry, X-ray phase analysis, and X-ray structure determination, with an extent of teaching as required by the universities' collective bargaining agreement.
• Willingness to collaborate across departments, faculties, and universities with research groups from various areas of materials-oriented geosciences and chemistry, especially within the future competence platform Cryst@VIE.
• Responsible implementation of the relevant official radiation protection guidelines for the operation of the instruments and relevant laboratory facilities, as well as interaction and communication with the responsible authorities.
• Willingness to raise third-party funds, and to establish and maintain active industry contacts.

This is part of your personality: 

• Completed Master / diploma degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, or geosciences and a PhD / doctoral degree related to the application or method development of X-ray crystallography.
• At least five years of international postdoctoral experience or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Research competence proven through international publications and a track record of acquired third-party funding.
• Proven familiarity with standard crystallographic analysis and evaluation tools, including powder diffraction and single-crystal diffraction techniques.
• Knowledge and experience of using novel AI-based tools for methodological development in modern X-ray crystallography.
• A strong affinity for instrumentation and technology in the field of XRD.
• A team player and open-minded, easily-approachable personality, ideally suited for easy communication with partners in industry and academic research.
• Fluent English skills. Excellent knowledge of German and English language skills is a plus.

What we offer:

• Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, part-time work (upon agreement) and/or working from a domicile in Austria to a certain extent (upon agreement).
• 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.
• Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 5.014,30 (on a full time basis / 14 times a year for senior scientists postdoctoral, amount as of February 1, 2026) increases, if we can credit professional experience.
• Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

It is that easy to apply:

• With your scientific curriculum vitae including a list of publication and raised funding
• With a short letter of motivation, including a brief summary of your research interest (in maximum one page)
• With explicit statements on each of the eight points mentioned under "This is part of your personality" (in total maximum two pages)
• Doctoral/PhD Degree 
• Contact details of persons who could provide reference letters
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button

If you have any content questions, please contact:

Ronald Miletich-Pawliczek  

ronald.miletich@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.

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​Application deadline: 03/16/2026