University assistant predoctoral at the Department of Smart Systems Technologies

The University of Klagenfurt, with approximately 1,700 employees and over 13,000 students, is located in the Alps-Adriatic region and consistently achieves excellent placements in rankings. The motto “per aspera ad astra” underscores our firm commitment to the pursuit of excellence in all activities in research, teaching, and university management. The principles of equality, diversity, health, sustainability and compatibility of work and family life serve as the foundation for our work at the university.

The University of Klagenfurt is pleased to announce the following open position in the Control of Networked Systems Group at the Department of Smart Systems Technologies at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, with an expected starting date of February 2, 2026:

University assistant predoctoral (in German: Universitätsassistent:in, all genders welcome)

Level of employment: 100 % (40 hours/week)
Minimum salary: € 52,007.20 per annum (gross); classification according to collective agreement: B1
Limited to: 4 years
Application deadline: January 7, 2026
Reference code: 624/25

In the Control of Networked Systems group at the Department of Smart Systems Technologies, we seek to push the current limits in AI supported state estimation, control, cooperative visual perception, and multi-modal sensor fusion for autonomous and mobile networked systems. The group publishes regularly in international top journals and conference proceedings. Successful applicants will be encouraged and supported to publish their work in such journals and proceedings and will have the opportunity to cooperate with our world-renowned international partners from science and industry. We specifically encourage and support close and open collaboration with our peers both internationally and at the university. Our teaching areas encompass Control, Systems Theory, Control of Autonomous Systems and Vision-Based State Estimation.
Our research group provides a highly dynamic, familiar, and friendly setting and thus a collaborative and inspiring work environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, which is continuously updated and upgraded. The group currently operates one of the largest drone halls in Europe (https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/en/fi/drohnenhub-klagenfurt_4492) and is in the process of establishing one of the largest outdoor drone spaces worldwide. Successful applicants will have the unique opportunity to actively be part of shaping the research group while enjoying the benefit of a well-established and supportive department and university around the group. For more information visit https://sst.aau.at/cns and https://uav.aau.at.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Independent research with the aim to submit a dissertation and acquire a doctoral degree (Dr. techn.)
• Contributing to the tasks of the department in research and teaching of the research group "Control of Networked Systems"
• Student mentoring
• Participation in administrative and organisational tasks of the department and in university committees
• Assistance in public relations activities of the department and the faculty

Prerequisites for the appointment:

• Completed Master's or Diploma degree in electrical engineering and information technology, mechanical engineering, or computer science or related fields at a domestic or foreign university
• Proven knowledge and experience in at least one of the following areas: reinforcement learning, grasping, vision-based manipulation, sensor fusion
• Proven programming skills in at least one of the languages Matlab, C / C ++, ROS
• English language skills (written and spoken)

Additional desired qualifications:

• First scientific publication (apart from master's or diploma thesis)
• Experience abroad
• First experience in university teaching (e. g. through tutorials, student or project assistance position(s))
• German language skills or willingness to acquire German language skills within the first two years of service
• Good scientific communication and presentation skills
• Social skills and ability to work in heterogeneous teams

Our offer:
This position serves the purposes of the vocational and scientific education of graduates of Master’s or Diploma study programmes and sets the goal of completing a Doctoral degree in Technical Sciences. Applications of persons who have already completed a subject-specific Doctoral degree or a subject-relevant Ph.D. programme therefore cannot be considered.

The employment contract is concluded for the position as university assistant (predoctoral) and stipulates a starting salary of € 3,714.80 gross per month (14 times a year; previous experience deemed relevant to the job can be recognized).

The University of Klagenfurt also offers:

• Personal and professional advanced training courses, management and career coaching including bespoke training for women in science
• Numerous attractive additional benefits, see also https://jobs.aau.at/en/the-university-as-employer/
• Diversity- and family-friendly university culture
• The opportunity to live and work in the attractive Alps-Adriatic region with a wide range of leisure activities in the spheres of culture, nature and sports

The application:

If you are interested in this position, please apply in English providing the following documents:
Letter of application

• Curriculum vitae including publication, lecture, and (if available) project lists (please do not include a photo)
• Copies of degree certificates / confirmations
• Please provide two references (contact details of persons who the university may contact for information purposes)

To apply, please use the >> job portal <<.

Candidates must furnish proof that they meet the required qualifications by January 7, 2026, at the latest.

For further information on this specific vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Stephan Weiss (stephan.weiss@aau.at). General information about the university as an employer can be found at https://jobs.aau.at/en/the-university-as-employer/. At the University of Klagenfurt, recruitment and staff matters are accompanied not only by the authority responsible for the recruitment procedure but also by the Equal Opportunities Working Group and, if necessary, by the Representative for Disabled Persons.

The University of Klagenfurt aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore specifically invites qualified women to apply for the position. Where the qualification is equivalent, women will be given preferential consideration.

People with disabilities or chronic diseases, who fulfil the requirements, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Travel and accommodation costs incurred during the application process will not be refunded.

Translations into other languages shall serve informational purposes only. Solely the version advertised in the University Bulletin (Mitteilungsblatt) shall be legally binding.