We are a leading research organisation in the area wood and wood-related renewable resources in Europe. Our core competences are materials research and process technology along the complete value chain – from raw material to finished products. More than 120 highly qualified researchers are developed methods and basics and perform applied research on the economy-science interface, in order to enable resource-efficient management in the circular bioeconomy.
For support in the numerous research projects, we are looking immediately for a:
Research Associate (f/m/d)
Reclaimed wood is a key factor in sustainable materials science. Wood K plus investigates non-destructive testing methods and bio-informed machine learning for the reuse of wood in construction. Join our team and develop models that turn complex data into insights for a greener circular economy and the "twin transition."
Your responsibilities:
o Design and implement bio-informed machine learning (ML) workflows based on material science principles to characterise reclaimed timber.
o Analyse multimodal datasets including CT imaging data (3D) and derived features, and mechanical, optical, and acoustic measurements.
o Drive research questions on mechanical property prediction to enable reuse and circular economy strategies.
o Plan, execute, and document the training of both:
· Classical ML pipelines for multivariate analysis (e.g. PCA, PLS, SVMs, Random Forests),
· Deep learning pipelines (e.g. VAEs or custom-built CNNs).
o Optional: Foundational work on advanced topics as preparation for a PhD dissertation.
Your Qualifications:
o Completed degree (FH/University) in Material Science, Wood Technology, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields.
o Solid understanding of statistics, data analysis and basic machine learning concepts.
o Programming experience in Python, Julia, or C.
o Interest in wood and bio-based materials combined with enthusiasm for computational methods and for integrating biological principles into machine learning models.
o Strong English skills.
o Open-mindedness and a structured, reliable, and independent working style.
o High motivation and a strong sense of communication, teamwork, and responsibility.
Your Benefits:
o Flexible and family-friendly work arrangements (flexible hours, time off in lieu, home office).
o A diverse and stimulating challenge at the forefront of sustainable materials research.
o Work in an international, motivated team within a highly active scientific environment.
o Flexible working arrangements and autonomy in organising your tasks.
o Hands-on experience with large, complex multimodal datasets.
o Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.
o Long-term collaboration opportunities with our project partners.
o Gross monthly salary (40h/week) starting at EUR 2,800 (14x annually), depending on qualifications and experience.
o Optional: Preparation for starting a PhD in a cutting-edge research field.
Place of employment:
St. Veit an der Glan
Contact:
Johannes Huber, PhD
Smart Composites & Surfaces
Tel.:
Please send your application via e-mail to: E-Mail: j.-