Scientific Project Assistant / PhD Fellow (m/f/d)

The University for Continuing Education Krems specializes in part-time academic continuing education. As a public university for continuing education, it works with its expertise in teaching and research to overcome societal challenges and tailors its study programs to address them. With 8,000 students coming from 85 countries, the University for Continuing Education Krems combines its many years of experience in university-based continuing education with innovation to provide outstanding quality in research and teaching at an international level. Situated 60 km from Vienna in the alluring world heritage region Wachau, Campus Krems is a highly attractive location.

Background information:

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks are joint research and training projects funded by the European Union. Funding is provided for doctoral candidates from both inside and outside Europe to carry out individual project work in a European country other than their own. The training network “MiEl” is made up of 10 partners, coordinated by Fraunhofer ICT in Germany. The network will recruit a total of 12 doctoral candidates for project work lasting for 36 months.

New industrial production strategies like “production on demand” and “Industry 4.0” are increasing the demand for new digital concepts for the chemical industry that are easily scalable and can work like a construction kit. In addition, the reduction of fossil fuel consumption requires novel synthesis concepts with on-demand capabilities paired with the use of electrical energy as a primary source for chemical processes.

MiEl will address this demand from the chemical industry, combining the advantages of electrochemistry, micro process engineering and flow chemistry. The recruited researchers will explore new models for electrodes and electrochemical flow cells, and develop innovative integrated prototype cells using printed circuit board (PCB) technology as a mass-scalable and flexible tool. These cutting-edge technologies will be applied to promising fine chemical and pharmaceutical synthetic routes, which will be further accompanied by techno-economic evaluation defining new business opportunities. The new MiEl technologies and processes will allow safe, flexible and sustainable synthetic routes for the chemical industry of the future.

Scientific Project Assistant / PhD Fellow (m/f/d)
40 hours/week Advertisement No. SB23-0042

The advertised subproject is fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Training Network „MiEl“. It will be carried out by one doctoral candidate at University of Continuing Education Krems (Austria) and Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria) over a period of 36 months.

Your tasks

• Design of printed circuit board (PCB) based electrochemical cells
• Conducting research into alternative cell concepts with thick-film ceramic technology and 3D printing
• Integration of electrodes into the cell
• Simulation of electrochemical cells
• Work should lead to original scientific results to be published in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings

Your profile

• Excellent Master’s degree in engineering, a focus on sensor technology and electrochemistry is desirable
• In accordance with the European Union’s funding rules for doctoral networks, applicants must NOT yet have a PhD
• Experience in sensor technology, microfluidics, microsystems technology and/or electrochemistry is desirable
• Fundamental math and analytical skills including experience with data collection and data analysis
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to work in collaborative projects with multiple partners
• Good English language skills (min. B1), German is beneficial
• Self-motivation and the ability to achieve goals independently as well as to contribute effectively to the team
• The applicant must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (work, studies etc.) in Austria for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.

Your perspective

• Full-time (40 hours/week) initially limited to 36 months with a minimum salary of EUR 3,277.30 gross per month on a full-time basis (classification according to the collective agreement for universities §49 VwGr. B1), willingness to overpay with appropriate qualifications and professional experience
• Admission to the PhD program at Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria
• The opportunity to work as part of an international, interdisciplinary team of 12 doctoral candidates, based at universities and industrial firms throughout Europe, supported by two mentors within the MiEl project
• Multiple opportunities to participate in professional and personal development training and gaining a unique skill-set comprising electrosynthesis, flow chemistry and process analytical technologies, as well as modern control engineering techniques
• An innovative and modern working environment
• Possibility of home office and mobile working
• Very good opportunities for further education within the framework of the university's own study programs, extensive offer of workplace health promotion as well as the University Sports Institute (USI), own childcare facility "Campus Kids" (further information regarding registration and available childcare places as well as FAQs under: (https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/en/university/service/campus-kids.html)

Persons with disabilities who meet the required profile criteria are expressly invited to apply for this position.

The University of Continuing Education Krems sees high innovation potential in the diversity of its employees and is committed to diversity as a guiding principle.

Please note that proof of complete vaccination protection against COVID-19 and its maintenance, as long as the epidemiological situation in Austria requires it, is a prerequisite for employment at The University of Continuing Education Krems. Exceptions apply if vaccination is not possible for medical reasons (evidence by specialist confirmation). In all other cases, employment at The University of Continuing Education Krems is only possible if the candidate is willing to catch up on vaccination against COVID-19 as soon as possible and expresses that during the application procedure. When signing the employment contract, a corresponding written declaration of commitment must be signed.

We look forward to receiving your online application by 31 March 2023 via our online tool: https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/vacancies