University assistant predoctoral

51 Faculty of Physics

Job vacancy starting: 01.06.2026 | Working hours: 30.00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)

Limited contract until: 31.05.2030

Job ID: 5570

The University of Vienna is seeking a University assistant predoctoral to join the Soft Matter Experiments Lab led by Prof. Roberto Cerbino. The lab investigates the physical principles governing the behavior of soft and biological systems, focusing on equilibrium and non-equilibrium phenomena, from the dynamics of yield stress fluids to the collective behavior of cells and bacterial collectives.

Your personal sphere of influence

The SoMeX Lab provides an integrated experimental environment for sample preparation, cell culture, advanced characterization, microscopy, rheology, optical tweezers, 3D printing and Differential Dynamic Microscopy. The lab maintains an active international research network with partners in Europe and abroad.

Your future tasks

You actively participate in research, teaching and administration.

• You are involved in ongoing research projects and scientific studies in soft matter physics, biophysics and active matter.
• You work on rheology and rheo-microscopy of complex fluids and soft materials.
• You contribute to research on collective behaviour of cells and bacterial systems.
• You use microscopy and image analysis of biological and soft-matter systems.
• You work with Differential Dynamic Microscopy, microrheology and light scattering.
• You contribute to the development of new experimental methods and instrumentation.
• You develop and pursue an original doctoral project within the research profile of the SoMeX Lab.
• You publish research results and present your work at conferences and workshops.
• You contribute to grant proposals and collaborative research activities.
• You teach at Bachelor and Master level and support the supervision of students.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and laboratory organization.

This is part of your personality

Necessary qualifications, experience and knowledge

• Completed Master’s degree or Diploma in Physics, Biophysics, Soft Matter, Materials Science or a closely related field.
• Ability to formulate a scientific hypothesis and design a feasible experimental strategy.
• Understanding of experimental soft matter physics, especially rheology and advanced optical microscopy.
• Quantitative data analysis skills and scientific programming, for example Python or MATLAB.
• Excellent written and spoken English at C1 level.

Desirable experience and knowledge

• Hands-on experience with high-end or custom imaging, rheology or scattering hardware.
• Familiarity with wet-lab environments, chemistry preparation, cell culture or microbiology protocols.
• Experience with image-analysis frameworks and instrument control.

Most important competencies

• Scientific autonomy and a hands-on mindset.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot complex experimental setups.
• Collaborative skills in interdisciplinary, international environments.
• Reliability, organizational skills and commitment to timely completion of a 4-year doctoral project.

What we offer

• Flexible working hours and partial remote work.
• International academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.
• Good public transport connections.
• Internal further training and coaching with over 600 free courses.
• Basic salary of EUR 3,776.10 on a full-time basis, with possible increase for credited professional experience.
• Employment duration of 4 years, initially limited to 1.5 years and automatically extended to 4 years unless a non-extension declaration is submitted within the first 12 months.
• Equal opportunities and diversity-focused employment policy.

It is that easy to apply

Please submit the following documents in English as a single PDF file:

• Letter of motivation.
• Scientific curriculum vitae including publications and technical skills.
• Academic credentials.
• Conceptual research proposal of up to 2 pages.
• Evidence of scientific writing.
• Contact details for two academic referees.

If you have any questions, please contact

Roberto Cerbino

roberto.cerbino@univie.ac.at

Application deadline: 16.10.2026