BOKU University

We have two exciting opportunities at the Institute of Meteorology and Climatology of BOKU University in Vienna. We are looking for 2 PhD students with background and strong interest in chemistry-climate connections. Ideal start date for all three positions is 01.11.2025 or within the months thereafter, depending on agreement and formal requirements (work visa, completion or termination of running contracts, etc.).

Who we are: 

Research in the group “Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Dynamics” focuses on drivers and impacts of changes in the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere, with particular focus on atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, climate, radiation and air quality. The group’s faculty members are Prof. Harald Rieder and senior scientists Dr. Monika Mayer, Dr. Pavle Arsenovic and Dr. Ales Kuchar. In our research we utilize climate models together with theory and data from the plethora of observations (in-situ, soundings, reanalyses, remote-sensing, and proxy data) to investigate fundamental questions on chemistry-climate connections. Models in the group span from global chemistry-climate (SOCOL) and chemistry-transport (WRF-Chem) models to intermediate complexity models and offline radiative transfer models. Further, we are committed to teaching, to collaborations with colleagues both within our group and internationally, and to engaging in public outreach. 

What we offer:

-A thriving, creative, and intellectually stimulating work environment in Vienna, consistently ranked among the world ‘s most livable cities 

-A longer-than average PhD contract (initial contract one year, with possibility of 3-year extension) embedded in a vibrant research environment and exciting internationally recognized projects (ERC Synergy, FWF WEAVE) that provide tailored training, a supportive work atmosphere, rich networking opportunities and time and flexibility to develop your research and scientific career 

-Access to state-of-the-art models and computational infrastructure, and working for and with an open-source orientated community

-Opportunities for scientific exchange and research stays at our partner institutions 

-Attractive benefits and a fair salary 

-Measures to support flexible time-management and worklife balance

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for highly motivated individuals interested in exploring fundamental questions about atmospheric chemistry, and the impacts of changes in atmospheric composition on radiation and climate. In this role, you will be able to design, perform and analyze model experiments (with global chemistry-climate or regional chemistry-transport models) to test research hypotheses, and evaluate these against observations (e.g. ground-level, upper-air, proxy datasets), and contribute to the understanding of the driving mechanisms of atmospheric composition change. You will benefit from the embedding in international research projects and our broad network of collaborators in chemistry-climate connections across Europe and the US.   

Roles and hiring profiles of the individual positions:

- PhD Student within the ERC Project GERACLE with focus on changes in atmospheric composition, radiation and climate during geomagnetic excursions and reversals:  https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/369901  

- PhD Student within the FWF-WEAVE PROJECT STOA with focus on changes in tropospheric ozone and its contribution to column ozone content, chemical and dynamical drivers of change, and implications for ozone recovery and chemistry-climate connections:   https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/369705  

Note: PhD students who are interested in both positions please apply for each position individually as applications are processed via individual hiring lines. 

Curious? So are we.

We hope we sparked your interest in joining the team and are looking forward to your application. Please apply for the individual positions following the instructions and reference codes provided in the links above. Application deadlines for these positions is September 17, 2025. 

Informal inquiries about the positions can be directed to Prof. Harald Rieder.