PhD Openings in Battery Recycling and Bioparticle Separation at TU Wien Technische Universität Wien in Austria

Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) is advertising doctoral openings in the group of Prof. Georg Pesch in Vienna, Austria. The post combines two PhD-level opportunities in chemical engineering and related fields: (1) a Battery Recycling PhD within the TU-BRIDGE doctoral school and (2) a Bioparticle Separation PhD focused on dielectrophoresis in microfluidic systems.

The TU-BRIDGE doctoral school is a collaborative program across TU Wien, TU Graz, and Montanuniversität Leoben. It covers battery imaging, durability, aging, and recycling, with 13 doctoral projects in total. The advertised battery recycling project is centered on electrokinetic battery recycling and includes collaboration with other recycling groups in Austria and industry partners. The program is structured for 4 years full time and is funded by TU Austria. The official TU Wien posting states that the positions are expected to start in October 2026, with some flexibility depending on the project.

The second opening is a university assistant prae-doc position under the supervision of Prof. Georg Pesch at the Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Unit Mechanical Process Engineering and Clean Air Technology. The project focuses on developing novel devices for the characterization and separation of biological cells using dielectrophoresis in microfluidic applications. The work may involve microscopy, video analysis, COMSOL simulations, and possibly cell culture, offering a mix of wet-lab and computational research.

Eligibility for the TU-BRIDGE doctoral positions includes a diploma or master’s degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, materials science, or a related discipline. Strong English skills are required, and German at B2 level is preferred. For the bioparticle separation position, a master’s or diploma degree in chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, mechanical engineering, or a comparable engineering discipline is required, with very good English and German at least beneficial. Relevant research or laboratory experience is an advantage for both openings.

Funding and conditions vary by position. TU-BRIDGE offers a competitive salary, access to world-class infrastructure, secondments, training, and social benefits. The TU Wien doctoral positions are 40 hours/week, fixed-term for 3 years with possible extension to 4 years, and the entry-level salary is currently EUR 3,776.10/month gross, 14 times per year. The bioparticle separation prae-doc position is 30 hours/week for up to 4 years, with a current B1 salary of EUR 2,832.10/month gross, 14 times per year.

Application deadlines are June 18, 2026 for the TU-BRIDGE doctoral positions and July 9, 2026 for the bioparticle separation position. Applications must be submitted via the TU Wien job portal, and the TU-BRIDGE application requires a CV, thesis summary, degree certificates or transcript, a ranked cover letter listing up to three preferred doctoral projects, and a motivation letter specifying the project(s) applied for.