Fully Funded Postdoctoral Position in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Materials at University of Vienna, Austria (2026)

The University of Vienna, Austria, has announced a fully funded postdoctoral research position in synthetic organic chemistry within the Bonifazi Research Group at the Faculty of Chemistry. The position offers an exciting opportunity for researchers interested in advanced organic synthesis, radical chemistry, photocatalysis, molecular materials, and optoelectronic applications.

The position is funded for 3 years and is expected to begin on 1 July 2026.

Applications are open until 12 June 2026.

About the Research Group

The Bonifazi Group, led by Prof. Davide Bonifazi at the University of Vienna, focuses on the development of advanced functional organic architectures for applications in:

• Solar-energy conversion
• Optoelectronics
• Molecular semiconductors
• Photocatalysis
• Light-responsive technologies

The group combines:

• Targeted organic synthesis
• Physical organic chemistry
• Radical-mediated reactions
• Electrosynthesis
• Molecular materials science

to create next-generation π-conjugated systems and nanographene materials.

Research Focus of the Position

The selected postdoctoral researcher will work on designing and synthesizing:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Heteroatom-doped graphenoid systems
• Nanographenes
• Molecular semiconductors
• Extended π-conjugated architectures

The project emphasizes the development of innovative synthetic methodologies including:

• Radical annulation strategies
• Photocatalytic transformations
• Electrosynthetic approaches
• Transition-metal catalysis
• Multistep organic synthesis

The research aims to establish relationships between molecular structure and:

• Electronic properties
• Charge transport behavior
• Photophysical properties
• Energy conversion performance

This interdisciplinary work sits at the interface of:

• Synthetic chemistry
• Materials science
• Radical chemistry
• Energy research
• Molecular electronics

Main Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct advanced organic synthesis
• Develop new synthetic methodologies
• Characterize molecular architectures
• Participate in scientific publications and conferences
• Supervise students
• Support grant applications and project development
• Collaborate with international research partners
• Contribute to teaching and academic activities

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should possess:

• A PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Experience in organic synthesis and catalysis
• Knowledge of electrosynthesis and radical chemistry
• Strong scientific problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

The university particularly values candidates with:

• Previous supervision experience
• Strong organizational skills
• Scientific writing abilities
• Critical literature analysis skills

Salary and Benefits

The University of Vienna offers a competitive academic salary package.

Salary

• EUR 5,014.30 gross per month
• Paid 14 times per year

Additional benefits include:

• State-of-the-art research infrastructure
• Access to over 600 free training courses
• Proposal writing and career development support
• International academic environment
• Excellent public transport connectivity in Vienna
• Long-term professional development opportunities

The employment duration is 36 months.

Why This Opportunity Is Important

This postdoctoral position is particularly attractive because it combines:

• Advanced synthetic organic chemistry
• Radical-mediated transformations
• Molecular materials engineering
• Optoelectronic applications
• International collaboration

Researchers working in:

• Organic synthesis
• Materials chemistry
• Nanographene chemistry
• Photochemistry
• Molecular electronics
• Catalysis

will find this position highly relevant and scientifically competitive.

The University of Vienna also provides one of Europe’s strongest research environments with excellent infrastructure and international visibility.

Application Documents

Applicants must prepare:

• Scientific CV
• Letter of intent
• List of publications
• Summary of research interests (maximum 1 page)
• Doctoral degree certificate
• Contact details of referees

Applications should be submitted through the University of Vienna job portal.

Official Application Link

Apply here: University of Vienna job portal

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 12 June 2026
• Start Date: 1 July 2026
• Position Duration: 3 years

Contact Information

Prof. Davide Bonifazi

Email: davide.bonifazi@univie.ac.at

Research Group: https://bonifazi-group.univie.ac.at/

About the University of Vienna

Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities. The institution hosts thousands of international researchers and offers strong support for interdisciplinary and cutting-edge scientific research.

The university actively promotes diversity, equal opportunity, and international collaboration in academic research.

Final Thoughts

The University of Vienna postdoctoral opportunity offers an exceptional platform for researchers interested in cutting-edge organic chemistry and functional molecular materials.

With strong funding, advanced facilities, international collaborations, and ambitious interdisciplinary research goals, this position provides excellent career development opportunities for postdoctoral researchers aiming to establish themselves in synthetic chemistry and molecular materials science.

Candidates with strong expertise in organic synthesis and radical chemistry should strongly consider applying.