About the opportunity
The University of Vienna is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the research group “Atmospheric Transport Processes” within the Department of Meteorology and Geophysics. The successful candidate will contribute to the research and further development of the Lagrangian transport model FLEXPART, studying atmospheric transport of greenhouse gases, pollutants, water vapour, and heat. The role offers the freedom to propose and pursue specialized research topics, such as theoretical and numerical improvements to the model or novel applications in research fields like ice core data analysis and inverse modelling.
Salary and benefits
- Gross salary of at least EUR 5,014.30 (payable 14 times per year as of January 1, 2026).
- Initial contract for three years, extendable to six years in total by mutual agreement.
- University-funded position providing more freedom to shape a research profile than typical project-funded roles.
- Flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home (within Austria).
- Health care and social benefits.
- Access to excellent research infrastructure and a supportive international team.
- Ongoing training and coaching opportunities.
Who can apply?
- Completed Ph.D. / Doctoral degree in atmospheric sciences (e.g., meteorology, climatology) or a related field.
- Strong programming skills.
- Experience in data analysis and interpretation guided by theoretical/physical understanding.
- Very good command of the English language.
- Good team spirit and willingness to collaborate.
- Advantageous: Experience with Lagrangian transport models.
- Advantageous: Expert knowledge of programming, preferably in Python and/or Fortran.
Required documents
- Short letter of interest and research ideas for FLEXPART.
- CV including a list of publications.
- Contact details of two references.
When to apply
- Application deadline: 2026-09-07.
- Review of applications will begin on 2026-09-07.
- The search will continue until a decision is made.
- Position available from October 2026, with a later starting time possible.
How to apply
- Submit a short letter stating interest in the position and ideas for working with FLEXPART.
- Submit a CV including a list of publications.
- Provide contact details for two persons who can provide a recommendation upon request.
- Apply via the university's job portal using the "Apply now" button.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- PhD holder in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, or climatology with strong programming skills.
- Researcher interested in Lagrangian transport modelling, specifically the FLEXPART model.
- Collaborative scientist looking for the freedom to pursue specialized research topics like inverse modelling or ice core data analysis.
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires proficiency in Python and/or Fortran for effective model development.
- While the role allows for some remote work, it is based in Vienna and requires a physical presence for team collaboration.
- The initial three-year contract is extendable, but applicants should verify the long-term expectations for university-funded roles.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position offers a rare level of research autonomy within a university-funded framework, providing the ideal environment to build a specialized profile in atmospheric transport. It is a perfect fit for a postdoc who wants to move beyond project-specific constraints to develop their own scientific niche.
Our take
An outstanding opportunity for atmospheric scientists with strong computational skills; those without a background in numerical modelling may find the technical requirements challenging.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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