The world is changing at an ever-faster pace. At the Johannes Kepler University Linz, we work on technologies and the ideas of tomorrow on a daily basis. At the same time, we educate over 25,500 young people to meet the demands of today’s job market. In short, we are Upper Austria’s largest institution for education and research. Are you interested in being a part of shaping the future of Austria’s most attractive campus university? We currently have a job opening for a:
Graduate Teaching Assistant (must hold a Diploma/Master's degree) for a full-time, four-year position
Organizational unit::
Institut für Formale Modelle und Verifikation
Entry date::
02/02/2026
Term from:
02/02/2026
Temporary employment to::
02/01/2030
Job Reference Number::
34200-2025-001722
:
The Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU Linz) and the Technische Universität Wien (TU Vienna) are joining forces to establish a Doctoral College for Computational Sustainability, combining the strengths and competences of complementary disciplines at both universities, and aiming to create and approve transdisciplinary knowledge in key research areas of computational sustainability. The aspirational vision of the Doctoral College is a world in which computational sciences significantly contribute, support, drive and foster global, regional and national efforts towards sustainable development.
For this joint Doctoral College, we invite applications from outstanding candidates eager to contribute to cutting-edge research in computational sustainability.
The successful candidate will pursue a PhD project with the following working title: Automata Learning and Verification for Digital Twins in Wastewater Systems
A summary of the planned project is available at https://computational-sustainability.at/research/#pr-water1
The dissertation will be co-supervised by Univ.-Prof. Bernhard Aichernig (JKU Linz), Univ.-Prof. Gerald Schweiger (TU Vienna) and Univ.-Prof. Jörg Krampe (TU Vienna), and carried out at the Institute for Formal Models and Verification at JKU.
For this joint Doctoral College, we invite applications from outstanding candidates eager to contribute to cutting-edge research in computational sustainability.
The successful candidate will pursue a PhD project with the following working title: Automata Learning and Verification for Digital Twins in Wastewater Systems
A summary of the planned project is available at https://computational-sustainability.at/research/#pr-water1
The dissertation will be co-supervised by Univ.-Prof. Bernhard Aichernig (JKU Linz), Univ.-Prof. Gerald Schweiger (TU Vienna) and Univ.-Prof. Jörg Krampe (TU Vienna), and carried out at the Institute for Formal Models and Verification at JKU.
Job Duties::
- Conduct independent scientific research at the intersection of machine learning, automata learning, and formal verification, with a focus on digital twins for wastewater systems
- Develop and integrate machine-learning–based methods (e.g., system identification, time-series modeling, anomaly detection) with automata learning techniques to derive verifiable behavioral models of wastewater treatment processes
- Design, implement, and evaluate hybrid ML–formal methods workflows that combine data-driven and model-based approaches for constructing reliable and trustworthy digital twins
- Contribute to the development of verification frameworks that use learned automata to ensure correctness, safety, and robustness of wastewater system simulations and control strategies
- Collaborate closely with supervisors and research partners at JKU Linz and TU Wien, as well as domain experts from environmental and water resource management
- Publish research results in leading international conferences and journals, and present findings at scientific events, workshops, and internal seminars
- Prepare and complete a doctoral dissertation within the four-year employment period, aligned with the project “Automata Learning and Verification for Digital Twins
- Participate in teaching activities as required by the collective agreement (e.g., assisting in courses, supervising exercises or student projects)
- Contribute to institute and Doctoral College activities, including administrative tasks, seminar series, and interdisciplinary events
Your Qualifications::
- The successful candidate must hold a completed Diploma/Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field (required for admission to the Doctoral College)
- Strong background or interest in automata learning, machine learning, and formal methods
- Proven research experience in formal methods and automata learning is an advantage
- Experience in university-level teaching or student supervision is an asset
- Fluency in spoken and written English (level C1)
- German language skills are an advantage
- Ability to work independently and proactively on scientific research tasks
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Willingness to work in a team and contribute to a collaborative research environment
- Interest in interdisciplinary cooperation, particularly in sustainability and environmental applications
What We Offer::
- On the basis of full-time employment (40 hours/week) the minimum salary in accordance with the collective agreement is € 3,714.80 gross per month (14 x per year, CA Job Grade: B1)
- Excellent supervision during the PhD project
- Stable employer
- Attractive campus environment with good public transportation connections
- Attractive continual educational opportunities
- State-of-the-art research infrastructure
- Dynamic research environment
- Broad range of on-campus dining services/healthy meals (organic food at the cafeteria)
- Exercise and sports classes (USI)
- …and much more
Application due date:
01/07/2026
:
The Johannes Kepler University wishes to increase the proportion of academic female faculty and, for this reason, especially welcomes applications by qualified women. If applicants are equally qualified, a woman will be given preference for this position. The university welcomes applications from qualified applicants with disabilities. These applications will be given special consideration.
Contact::
If you have questions, please contact: Univ. Prof. DI Dr. Bernhard Aichernig, P +43 732 2468 4541, E-mail: bernhard.aichernig@jku.at.
Exertion place address:
Altenberger Straße
69,
4040
Linz