Schahram Dustdar

The Research Division Distributed Systems at the Institute of Information Systems Engineering, TU Wien, invites applications for a full-time prae-doc project assistant position, funded for 36 months under the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network "SAILING." The project focuses on the Internet-of-Energy (IoE), a rapidly evolving ecosystem driven by clean energy and decarbonization initiatives. The integration of renewable energy sources, smart devices, and the demand for resilient energy infrastructure has introduced unprecedented complexity to modern power systems. Traditional modelling tools are insufficient for capturing the real-time, nonlinear, and multiscale dynamics of these systems. This PhD project aims to address these challenges by developing advanced AI methodologies, particularly adversarial machine learning, to create reliable, scalable, and interpretable digital twins of complex energy systems. The research will enable real-time simulation and analysis, supporting intelligent decision-making and efficient energy management. The position is part of the SAILING Doctoral Network, which trains 12 doctoral candidates across academic and industrial partners, offering international secondments and collaborative training opportunities. Applicants should have a strong MSc or equivalent degree in computer science, informatics, business informatics, or a related field. Required expertise includes distributed systems, edge/cloud/elastic computing, autonomic complex systems, IoT, machine learning, probabilistic machine learning, and mathematics. Experience with generative and adversarial models, active inference, and reliable AI strategies is advantageous. Candidates must demonstrate motivation for independent research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and excellent English communication skills. Social and gender competence, teamwork, and experience in national/international research cooperation are expected. Eligibility is governed by the EU Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Networks scheme: candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree and must comply with the mobility rule (not have resided or carried out main activity in Austria for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment). European and international applicants are welcome, subject to visa regulations. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,776.10/month gross, paid 14 times per year), mobility and family allowances, access to state-of-the-art hardware and software, continuing education, and opportunities to present research at international conferences. The work environment is creative, young, and international, with attractive social benefits. TU Wien encourages applications from women and follows an open, transparent, and equitable recruitment process. To apply, submit a single PDF containing your motivation letter, CV, certificates, list of publications, and thesis by email to Christine Kamper ([email protected]). For further information, contact Prof. Schahram Dustdar ([email protected]). The application deadline is March 16, 2026.