University Assistant postdoctoral Universität Wien

Job description:

At the University of Vienna, over 10,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,500 of them are academic staff members. These are individuals who, with their curiosity and their continuous pursuit of excellence, engage in international cutting-edge research and teaching. With us, you will also find space to unfold your potential. We are looking for a/an 

University Assistant postdoctoral

The Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Vienna is the largest Austrian institution of mathematical research and tertiary education in the mathematical sciences. It consists of active research groups in a wide range of fields, starting from logical foundations, bridging all classical core subjects, and up to concrete applications in industry. As part of the Faculty, the Institute of Mathematics represents the entire discipline of mathematics in research and teaching, without making an arbitrary separation into pure and applied fields.

We are looking for an open, innovative, and productive colleague who enjoys working in an international and interdisciplinary environment. Does that sound like something for you? Apply to join our team!

Your professional field of activity:

We are looking for a University Assistant Postdoc to further strengthen the research group “Quantum Information and Quantum Many-Body Physics”, led by Prof. Norbert Schuch, which is located jointly at the Faculty of Mathematics and the Faculty of Physics. We are seeking a highly qualified researcher with a strong background in tensor network methods, in particular the development of numerical tensor network algorithms, and their application in the study of strongly correlated quantum matter. The successful candidate is able to actively contribute to the research profile of both the Faculty of Mathematics and the Faculty of Physics, teach courses (max. 4 hours/week per semester), and carry out co-mentoring of bachelor, master, and PhD students. More information about our research areas and about our team can be found on our homepage at https://schuch.univie.ac.at/. As a team, we understand the importance of a positive, inclusive, and respectful working environment. We regularly exchange ideas about current topics and projects in our group meetings.

The start of the contract is the 1st of November 2026 or later, the exact starting date is negotiable. The employment period is 3 years from the beginning of the contract.

Your future tasks:

Active participation in research, teaching & administration, which means:

• Collaboration and research in the field of Quantum Information and Quantum Many-Body Physics:

     o You identify and address research questions in the field of Quantum Information and Quantum Many-Body Physics, with a focus on the development of moder
         numerical tensor network algorithms, in particular in two and higher dimensions, and their application to the comprehensive study of quantum matter and topologically ordered phases.
     o You become an active team member of the “Quantum Information and Quantum Many-Body Physics" research group.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration:

     o You participate in international scientific collaborations, as well as in international conferences and workshops.

• Collaboration in teaching and administration:

     o You participate in the administration of the institute, teaching, and research.
     o You hold courses and examinations in accordance with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement and you (co-)supervise students.

Required Qualifications/Position requirement:

• Doctorate in mathematics, theoretical physics, or a related area, completed and certificate provided in due time before the start of the contract.
• Strong expertise in the development of modern numerical tensor network methods for two-dimensional quantum systems (PEPS algorithms),

        and their application to the comprehensive study of topologically ordered systems.

• Proven track record in acquiring third party funding.
• Research competence & initiative demonstrated through international publications in peer-reviewed media.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• You are goal-oriented and have a high motivation to strive for scientific excellence.
• You are not entitled to compensation for travel and accommodation expenses incurred in connection with the admission process.

What we offer:

• Work-life balance: The compatibility of work and private life or work and study is a particularly important concern for us. In consultation with the team and team management, you can therefore organize your working hours flexibly and in a family-friendly manner and also work partially from home within the university’s respective framework.
• Inspiring working atmosphere: You are part of an international team with excellent research infrastructure in a relaxed working environment.
• Good public transport connections: Your new workplace is easily accessible by public transport.
• Climate neutrality - sustainability: The University of Vienna contributes to the achievement of climate goals by means of an adopted sustainability strategy and aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 through the reduction of resource consumption, resource-saving and sustainable procurements.
• Fixed-term contract and adequate salary: The basic salary corresponds to the collective agreement for employees of the universities according to § 48 salary group B1 lit b basic level (postdoc): EUR 5,014.30 on a full-time basis (14 times per year). The actual salary is finally determined depending on professional experience and qualification. The gross salary covers all benefits of the employee in quantitative and qualitative terms (= all-in payment).
• Internal training and coaching: We offer you ongoing opportunities to deepen your skills. Choose from an extensive range of courses free of charge.
• Benefits: The University of Vienna also offers you numerous benefits, such as a company pension fund, travel allowances, low-cost parking, discounted IT (hardware and software), special rates for language courses offered by the university language center, advancement of women, diversity management and specific career advancement, inclusion, Papamonat, flexible childcare, vacation care for children, health care, vaccination campaigns and fitness offers (special rates for USI sports courses) as well as discounts for employees at various companies.
• Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional personality to the team!

Is your interest in this attractive and varied field of activity with autonomous areas of responsibility now aroused? Would you like to take on this new challenge? To actively contribute to the current and future major scientific issues of the research team around Prof. Schuch and, above all, to become even better at what you can already do?

Then we are looking forward to you and your meaningful application:

• with your letter of motivation,
• a scientific CV, including a list of publications, talks, third-party funding, and teaching activities (if applicable),
• a research statement describing your future plans in research,
• your certificate of a completed PhD programme (to be provided at the latest before the start of the contract) and
• contact details of two persons who can provide letters of reference upon request

either:

• via our job portal by clicking on "Create Profile - Login & Logout" in the header on the upper right, or
• directly in this job posting by clicking the "Apply now" - Button on the bottom right side.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Norbert Schuch  

norbert.schuch@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 lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

Data protection
​Application deadline: 08/19/2026 

Apply now