University assistant predoctoral

The University of Klagenfurt is pleased to announce the following open position at either the Department of Economics (Quantitative Economics Division) at the Faculty of Management, Economics & Law or at the Department of Networked and Embedded Systems (Smart Grids Group) at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, to be filled at the earliest possible date:
University assistant predoctoral (all genders welcome)
(in German: Universitätsassistent:in)
within the Ada Lovelace Programme (project title: Streaming of Holographic Content and its Impact on the Quality of Experience).

Level of employment: 100 % (40 hours/week)
Salary: EUR 50,103.20 per annum (gross); classification according to collective agreement: B1
Limited to: 4 years
Application deadline: September 11, 2024
Reference code: 349/24

Tasks and responsibilities:

Participation in the interdisciplinary research project «A Machine Learning Approach to Smart Electricity Load Management: From Disaggregation to Policy Impact Evaluation», combining the expertise of the two above-mentioned departments
Independent research within the above-mentioned project with the aim of submitting a dissertation and acquiring a doctoral degree
Presentation of scientific results in publications and at conferences
Teaching
Collaboration in administrative and organisational tasks
Participation in public relations activities

Prerequisites for the position:

Diploma or master's degree in computer science, data science, economics, electrical engineering, information systems, information technology, mathematics, statistics or related fields (with a strong formal background) at a higher education institution
Good academic record
Interest in developing and applying algorithms for analysing large and complex data sets, interest in big data-based econometric impact and evaluation research
Experience in scientific programming (e.g., Python or R)
Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Desired qualifications:

Experience in at least one of the following areas: Econometrics, Machine Learning, Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring, Time Series Analysis (e.g., large numbers of high-frequency time series of individual household electricity consumption data)
Social and communication competences, interest in and ability to work in teams
Strong motivation and output orientation
Ability to work independently in scientific projects with a focus on high quality and precision
Scientific dissemination skills, e.g., via scientific publication(s)

Our offer:
This position serves the purposes of the vocational and scientific education of graduates of diploma or master's degree programmes and sets the goal of completing a corresponding doctoral degree according to the allocation of the position to either the Department of Economics or the Department of Networked and Embedded Systems. Applications by individuals who have already completed a subject-specific doctoral degree or a subject-relevant PhD programme therefore cannot be considered.

The position is funded through the university's Ada Lovelace Programme, which aims at fostering interdisciplinary research at the university. The successful candidate will therefore be jointly supervised by two academic professors, one from the field of computer engineering and one from the field of economics, and will be affiliated with one of the two departments.

As mentioned above, the successful candidate will work within the project «A Machine Learning Approach to Smart Electricity Load Management: From Disaggregation to Policy Impact Evaluation». This project covers both technical aspects (development/implementation of statistical and machine learning methods, algorithm design and implementation) as well as economic impact analysis (using i.a. modern micro-econometric techniques). Further information on the research project is available upon request.

The employment contract is concluded for the position as university assistant (predoctoral) and stipulates a starting salary of EUR 3,578.80 gross per month for a full-time position (100 %) (14 times a year; previous experience deemed relevant to the job can be recognised in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement).

The University of Klagenfurt also offers:

Personal and professional advanced training courses, management, and career coaching
Numerous attractive additional benefits, see also 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 by providing the following documents:

Letter of application
Curriculum vitae (with detailed information on your degrees including date/place/grade, the experience acquired, the thesis title, the list of publications if any, and any other relevant information)
Copy of the degree certificates and transcripts of the courses
Any certificates that can prove the fulfilment of the required and additional qualifications listed above (e.g., the submission of the final thesis/dissertation if required by the degree programme, copy of publications, programming skills certificates, language skills certificates, list of further dissemination activities etc.)
In case a diploma or master's degree certificate cannot be included in the application package, provide a written declaration of the supervisor on the expected date of completion of the study programme. Note that we plan to fill the position as soon as possible.
A conferred title (diploma / master's degree) is a necessary condition for employment. Proof has to be provided two weeks prior to appointment at the latest.

To apply, please select the position with the reference code 349/24 in the category «Scientific Staff» using the link «Apply for this position» in the job portal at jobs.aau.at/en/.

Candidates must furnish proof that they meet the required qualifications by October 20, 2024 at the latest.

For further information on this specific vacancy, please contact Professor Wilfried Elmenreich (wilfried.elmenreich@aau.at) and/or Professor Martin Wagner (martin.wagner@aau.at). Information about the university as an employer can be found at 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 share of women and therefore specifically invites qualified women to apply for the position. At equal qualification levels, women will be given preferential consideration.

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

Travel and accommodation costs incurred during the application process will not be refunded. Under exceptional circumstances online hearings may be possible.

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