Your personal sphere of action:
The commercialization of space has led to a dramatic increase in rocket launches and satellites in Earth orbit - with largely unknown consequences for the atmosphere. Possible impacts include effects on the stratospheric ozone layer, the radiation balance of the Earth, and on ice cloud formation. The research platform \"Pollution of the Atmosphere by a Rapidly Growing Space Industry (SPACETRACE)\" brings together researchers from three faculties with expertise in aerosol physics, atmospheric sciences, and social sciences to investigate the effects of emissions from rocket launches and the re-entry of space debris on the atmosphere, climate and society. Within SPACETRACE, four PhD positions (university assistants predoctoral) are available, of which one is within our team, and will focus on the climatic impacts of a growing space industry. Your work will address direct radiative impacts from materials like aluminum released during the burning of satellites when they fall back from their orbit through the atmosphere, which could have significant but highly uncertain climate cooling effects. You will also explore how these re-entry particles may alter cirrus cloud formation patterns, potentially amplifying or reversing any direct radiative effects. Your research will help address these critical knowledge gaps and assess the net climate impact of space activities before they scale dramatically. Your future tasks:
Lead independent research on your doctoral thesis topic Contribute to the further development of ICON model as needed for your work Disseminate your research through high-quality peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences Teach independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement Help to build and shape the positive, collaborative culture of our team and the department Become an active member of the Vienna International School of Earth and Space Sciences (VISESS / doctoral school) This is part of your personality:
M.Sc. degree or equivalent in climate science, meteorology, physics, computational sciences or a related field Creativity, curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving Ambition to plan and conduct independent research that pushes the boundaries of science Strong English communication skills Additional skills that would be an advantage:
Programming and data analysis experience Experience with working on high-performance computers
What we offer:
Research freedom: Develop your own ideas within the project’s broad scope. Inspiring and supportive working atmosphere: Join an interdisciplinary team of 4 PhD students (university assistants predoctoral) in SPACETRACE project, with ample opportunities to collaborate with international partners. International team in a healthy and fair working environment (see the public document on our team culture and values) with excellent research infrastructure. Career development and training: Enroll in the VISESS doctoral school, with benefits described here: https://visess.univie.ac.at/phd-programme/. Benefit also from the offer of soft skills training, coaching, and professional development opportunities offered by the University of Vienna. Fair salary including health care and social benefits: The gross monthly salary of 3,776.10 EUR (on a full time, i.e. 40h/week, basis; 14 times per year; amount as of 1 January 2026) allows for a comfortable life in Vienna. Work-life balance: Flexible hours, remote work options (partly, upon agreement, within Austria), and a vibrant city with quick access to nature. Equal opportunities for everyone: We welcome diverse personalities in our team! Sustainability: The University of Vienna aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. We support low-carbon options for traveling. The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration. The position as university assistant predoctoral is available immediately. The position needs to be filled by 1 Oct 2026. Review of applications will begin on 10 Aug 2026. Application deadline: 08/10/2026 If you have any questions, please contact: Blaž Gasparini blaz.gasparini@univie.ac.at The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The commercialization of space has led to a dramatic increase in rocket launches and satellites in Earth orbit - with largely unknown consequences for the atmosphere. Possible impacts include effects on the stratospheric ozone layer, the radiation balance of the Earth, and on ice cloud formation. The research platform \"Pollution of the Atmosphere by a Rapidly Growing Space Industry (SPACETRACE)\" brings together researchers from three faculties with expertise in aerosol physics, atmospheric sciences, and social sciences to investigate the effects of emissions from rocket launches and the re-entry of space debris on the atmosphere, climate and society. Within SPACETRACE, four PhD positions (university assistants predoctoral) are available, of which one is within our team, and will focus on the climatic impacts of a growing space industry. Your work will address direct radiative impacts from materials like aluminum released during the burning of satellites when they fall back from their orbit through the atmosphere, which could have significant but highly uncertain climate cooling effects. You will also explore how these re-entry particles may alter cirrus cloud formation patterns, potentially amplifying or reversing any direct radiative effects. Your research will help address these critical knowledge gaps and assess the net climate impact of space activities before they scale dramatically. Your future tasks:
Lead independent research on your doctoral thesis topic Contribute to the further development of ICON model as needed for your work Disseminate your research through high-quality peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences Teach independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement Help to build and shape the positive, collaborative culture of our team and the department Become an active member of the Vienna International School of Earth and Space Sciences (VISESS / doctoral school) This is part of your personality:
M.Sc. degree or equivalent in climate science, meteorology, physics, computational sciences or a related field Creativity, curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving Ambition to plan and conduct independent research that pushes the boundaries of science Strong English communication skills Additional skills that would be an advantage:
Programming and data analysis experience Experience with working on high-performance computers
What we offer:
Research freedom: Develop your own ideas within the project’s broad scope. Inspiring and supportive working atmosphere: Join an interdisciplinary team of 4 PhD students (university assistants predoctoral) in SPACETRACE project, with ample opportunities to collaborate with international partners. International team in a healthy and fair working environment (see the public document on our team culture and values) with excellent research infrastructure. Career development and training: Enroll in the VISESS doctoral school, with benefits described here: https://visess.univie.ac.at/phd-programme/. Benefit also from the offer of soft skills training, coaching, and professional development opportunities offered by the University of Vienna. Fair salary including health care and social benefits: The gross monthly salary of 3,776.10 EUR (on a full time, i.e. 40h/week, basis; 14 times per year; amount as of 1 January 2026) allows for a comfortable life in Vienna. Work-life balance: Flexible hours, remote work options (partly, upon agreement, within Austria), and a vibrant city with quick access to nature. Equal opportunities for everyone: We welcome diverse personalities in our team! Sustainability: The University of Vienna aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. We support low-carbon options for traveling. The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration. The position as university assistant predoctoral is available immediately. The position needs to be filled by 1 Oct 2026. Review of applications will begin on 10 Aug 2026. Application deadline: 08/10/2026 If you have any questions, please contact: Blaž Gasparini blaz.gasparini@univie.ac.at The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PhD position in climate impacts caused by the space industry (4 years) Arbeitgeber: University of Vienna
Die Universität Wien ist ein hervorragender Arbeitgeber, der eine inspirierende Arbeitsumgebung für engagierte Wissenschaftler:innen bietet. Mit einem starken Fokus auf Forschung und Lehre im Bereich Rechtswissenschaften fördert die Universität nicht nur die persönliche und berufliche Weiterentwicklung ihrer Mitarbeiter:innen, sondern bietet auch vielfältige Möglichkeiten zur Mitgestaltung von Publikationen und Tagungen. Die inklusive und antidiskriminatorische Anstellungspolitik schafft ein unterstützendes Umfeld, in dem Vielfalt geschätzt wird und qualifizierte Frauen ermutigt werden, sich aktiv einzubringen.
