The Chair of Cyber-Physical Systems at Montanuniversitaet Leoben in Austria is offering a full-time position (100% employment) starting as soon as possible in collaboration with Siemens within the EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network project REFFRACTEUR.
- Living Allowance of €4010/month (This is a gross value (employer and employee taxes will be removed) and will be subject to a country-specific correction factor)
- Mobility allowance: €710/month.
- Family allowance*: €660/month (depending on family situation).
• Duration:
• PhD: 3 years (structured as 18 months at Siemens and 18 months at Montanuniversitaet Leoben)
more details on the recruitment procedure and benefits can be found here: https://www.reffracteur.eu/reffracteur-phd-recruitment-procedures/
About the Position
The REFFRACTEUR (Digital REFractory FRAmework for a Carbon-neutral and Resilient indusTry in EURope) project brings together a unique consortium across academia and industry to advance sustainable refractory materials. It trains doctoral candidates through interdisciplinary research combining materials science, digital technologies (AI and digital twins), and sustainability, with strong industrial integration.
This specific position corresponds to:
PhD 03 – Semantic data integration and cloud-based industrial platforms for circular refractory life cycle applications
The research focuses on developing digital and AI-driven solutions for circular economy applications in industrial environments, including:
• Semantic data integration across heterogeneous industrial data sources
• Development of cloud-based industrial platforms for lifecycle data management
• Integration of sustainability indicators into digital decision-support systems
• Data-driven support for material selection, design, and end-of-life strategies
• AI-based methods for analyzing industrial processes and lifecycle data
This position combines cutting-edge research in AI, data engineering, and industrial digitalization with real-world applications in collaboration with Siemens, including a strong focus on circular economy and sustainability in industry.
What we offer
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment in artificial intelligence and industrial digitalization
• Joint supervision between academia and industry (Montanuniversitaet Leoben & Siemens)
• A structured international doctoral training program within an EU MSCA network
• The opportunity to work on real-world industrial challenges with high impact
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and industrial platforms
• International research collaborations and conference travel opportunities
• Targeted career guidance for academic and non-academic career paths
Requirements
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Physics, Mechanics, Robotics, or a related field
• Strong motivation for scientific research and publications
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
• Interest in pursuing a PhD in an international and industrial context
Desired additional qualifications
• Strong programming skills
• Background or interest in Artificial Intelligence and data-driven methods
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, data engineering, or industrial IT systems
• Experience with AI libraries and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Strong English communication skills (written and spoken)
• Willingness to travel and spend extended research periods at Siemens and other project partners
Application & Materials
A complete application includes:
-
Curriculum Vitae (CV) (detailed)
-
Letter of Motivation – clearly stating your interest in this specific PhD position
-
Master’s Thesis (PDF or link)
-
Academic Certificates (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
Optional but beneficial:
-
Letter(s) of Recommendation
-
Contact Information for References (name, email, phone)
-
Previous Publications (PDFs or links)
Application deadline: Open until the position is filled.
Online Application via Email: Please send your application files to rueckert@unileoben.ac.at
The Montanuniversität Leoben intends to increase the number of women on its faculty and therefore specifically invites applications by women. Among equally qualified applicants women will receive preferential consideration.