University Assistant (must hold a Doctorate/Ph.D. degree)

University Assistant (must hold a Doctorate/Ph.D. degree) for a full-time, six-year position

The world is changing at an ever-faster pace. At the Johannes Kepler University Linz, we work on technologies and the ideas of tomorrow on a daily basis. At the same time, we educate over 27,000 young people to meet the demands of today’s job market. In short, we are Upper Austria’s largest institution for education and research. Are you interested in being a part of shaping the future of Austria’s most attractive campus university? We currently have a job opening for a:

The Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer at Johannes Kepler University Linz invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in fundamental and applied fluid mechanics.

Under the new leadership of Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kilian Oberleithner, the Institute is further developing its research with a particular focus on the analysis, modelling, and control of complex multiphysics turbulent flows. Key areas include understanding flow instabilities, coherent structures, and their interactions with physical processes, as well as developing physics-based and data-driven methods for predicting and controlling these phenomena.

Methodological research areas include linear stability theory, resolvent analysis, reduced-order modelling, data-driven flow analysis, and flow control. Applications range from hydrogen combustion and aeroacoustics to wind energy and the optimisation of hydraulic turbomachinery. In addition, the position explicitly offers scope for new research ideas and interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly at the interfaces with control engineering, mechatronics, applied mathematics, and machine learning.

The position offers the opportunity to actively shape the Institute’s future scientific direction and establish an independent research profile within an internationally connected research environment.

Job Duties

• Independently conduct and advance challenging fundamental research on complex turbulent flows
• Develop and apply advanced mathematical, numerical, and/or experimental methods for the analysis, modelling, and control of flow phenomena
• Develop independent research initiatives and contribute to the strategic development of the Institute’s scientific profile
• Independently acquire and scientifically lead externally funded research projects and establish national and international research collaborations
• Supervise and co-supervise doctoral researchers and students
• Publish research findings in internationally recognized scientific journals and present results at international conferences
• Contribute to university teaching, with opportunities to develop original, research-oriented teaching formats
• Contribute to the development of the Institute’s scientific infrastructure and research environment
• Participate in academic self-governance, including service on university and faculty committees and bodies, as well as within the field of mechatronics

Your Qualifications

• Completed doctorate/Ph.D. in fluid mechanics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or a related discipline
• Excellent academic qualifications demonstrated by high-quality publications in internationally recognised scientific journals
• Strong mathematical and physical foundations and demonstrated research experience in the analysis or modelling of complex flows
• Advanced expertise in at least one of the following areas: flow instabilities and stability theory, coherent structures and turbulence, reduced-order modelling, data-driven flow analysis, or flow control
• Experience in numerical and/or experimental fluid mechanics
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, creativity, and interest in developing an individual research profile
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and in connecting fundamental research with technically relevant applications
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• Desirable qualifications: Experience in designing and securing competitive externally funded research projects, Experience supervising students and early-career researchers, Experience developing or applying scientific simulation and analysis tools, International research experience and established scientific collaborations, Experience in university teaching and an interest in developing innovative teaching formats

What We Offer

• On the basis of full-time employment (40 hours/week) the minimum salary in accordance with the collective agreement is € 5,014.30 gross per month (14 x per year, CA Job Grade: B1)
• Stable employer
• Attractive campus environment with good public transportation connections
• Attractive continual educational opportunities
• State-of-the-art research infrastructure
• Dynamic research environment
• Broad range of on-campus dining services/healthy meals (organic food at the cafeteria)
• Exercise and sports classes (USI)
• ...and much more

The Johannes Kepler University wishes to increase the proportion of academic female faculty and, for this reason, especially welcomes applications by qualified women. If applicants are equally qualified, a woman will be given preference for this position. The university welcomes applications from qualified applicants with disabilities. These applications will be given special consideration.

We offer an intellectually challenging research position with a high degree of independence and the opportunity for initiative. The position provides possibilities to develop your own research focus and externally funded projects, establish international collaborations, and make a substantial contribution to the Institute’s long-term scientific development.

Johannes Kepler University Linz offers an interdisciplinary research environment with numerous opportunities for collaboration in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, control engineering, applied mathematics, and artificial intelligence.

Space for your future? We look forward to receiving your application via our job portal including the following documents:

• Academic curriculum vitae, including a list of publications
• Cover letter outlining previous scientific achievements
• Transcripts
• Brief statement of your own research ideas and potential future research directions at the Institute (maximum 2 pages)
• Contact details of two academic references

For further information, please contact: Univ. Prof. Dr. Ing. Kilian Oberleithner, P +43 732 2468 6461, E-mail: kilian.oberleithner@jku.at.

The interviews will take place via Zoom on December 14, 15 and 17, 2026.

Location: Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz