University of Stuttgart

The Role and the Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. We are seeking a Post Award Finance and Project Officer to join our Post Award Team within Research Operations to support a colleagues maternity leave. You will deliver comprehensive post-award financial and administrative support, ensuring that project leaders and researchers receive timely, expert advice. Your responsibilities will span the full grant lifecycle, from award acceptance and project setup, through financial monitoring and budget management, to final claims, reconciliation, project closure, and preparation for both internal and external audits. Stakeholder engagement is at the core of this role. You will act as the primary point of contact for internal and external partners, facilitating clear communication and effective coordination across departments and funding bodies. You will also regularly review project budgets, income, and expenditure to maintain accuracy and to identify and address any significant variances such as under- or overspending, ineligible costs, or issues with overhead recovery. The postholder has the following key responsibilities: Manage the post-award financial administration of non-research grants, ensuring accurate and timely closure. Prepare and submit financial claims, invoices, and statements in line with funder and institutional deadlines. Monitor budgets, income, and expenditure, identifying and resolving variances, and providing financial forecasts to project leads. Reconcile project accounts, process final expenditure and exchange rate journals, and ensure accurate allocation of income. Ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions, advising stakeholders on eligible expenditure and removing ineligible costs. Coordinate staff approvals with HR, ensuring alignment with project budgets and funder requirements. Calculate and transfer fEC overheads/indirect costs in accordance with approved budgets. Liaise with internal teams (Finance, HR, Departments) and external stakeholders (funders, HEIs, partners) to resolve queries. Maintain accurate, auditable records and ensure financial systems reflect final approved expenditure. Working pattern: Monday - Friday. Hybrid 2 days in the office. You can work additional days in the office if you choose. The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: .

THE CENTER FOR MATERIALS INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CMIT) Materials science underpins nearly every modern technology from clean energy and AI to electronics, biomedicine, defense, and space exploration. The Center for Materials Innovation and Technology (CMIT) aims to become a leading hub for research and international collaboration in advanced materials, driving Vietnam’s strategic technological advancement. CMIT fosters breakthrough innovation in materials for electronics, energy, biomedicine, and sustainability, while nurturing young scientists and future leaders who create knowledge and value for a sustainable future. By 2030, CMIT aspires to be recognized among the world’s leading centers for materials innovation, advancing sustainable technologies, promoting global collaboration, and training a new generation of scientific leaders who transform knowledge into societal and national impact. Research areas: Rare-Earth Materials and Recycling Technologies Sustainable Energy Materials for Green Technologies  Quantum Materials for Next-Generation Technologies AI-Integrated Smart Sensors for Environmental and Healthcare Monitoring  We welcome applications from those with expertise in or across these disciplines: Computational materials modeling: DFT, molecular dynamics, phase-field modeling, or multiscale simulations. Data-driven materials discovery: ML models for property prediction, materials design, or synthesis optimization. AI/ML methods development: Neural networks, graph neural networks (GNNs), generative AI, or active learning for materials applications. Integration of theory and experiment: Using computation and ML to interpret or guide experimental work. High-performance computing (HPC) and data management for large-scale materials datasets. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Join us if you have:  Doctorate degree from a globally recognized institution, with expertise in materials science Strong vision for impactful, forward-thinking research and innovation. Proven record of high-impact research and top-tier publications. Passion for education and advancing science through innovative projects. Adaptable and driven to address global and local challenges, especially those relevant to Vietnam. Alignment with VinUni’s core values: Empathy, Exceptional Capability, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Leadership Mindset. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project Title: Harnessing Cerium: Smart Rare Earth Catalysts for Solar-Driven Abatement of Toluene in Industrial Effluents (Project AURORA) This project addresses a critical national challenge by valorizing Vietnam’s vast, underutilized rare-earth (cerium) deposits into a powerful solution for industrial air pollution. Our goal is to develop a novel solar-driven photothermocatalytic process to efficiently destroy harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like toluene, at their source in industrial effluents. By integrating advanced materials synthesis with a predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform, we will accelerate the discovery of efficient and sustainable solutions for environmental remediation. We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Researcher to play a foundational role in this pioneering 18-month project at the Center for Materials Innovation and Technology (CMIT) at VinUniversity. A Unique Opportunity to Build and Lead This is not a typical postdoctoral position in a long-established laboratory. As the first postdoctoral researcher in a newly forming research group, you will have the unique and exciting opportunity to help build our lab from the ground up. You will be instrumental in designing, commissioning, and shaping the core experimental facilities and research direction. This role is ideal for a passionate, independent researcher who is eager to take on significant responsibility, solve real-world challenges, and help establish a lasting legacy of cutting-edge environmental research at VinUniversity. Key Roles and Responsibilities The successful candidate will be a driving force behind the project’s success and will be expected to: Lead Lab Development: Take the lead in the design, assembly, and commissioning of a state-of-the-art, automated photothermocatalytic reactor system. Advanced Catalyst Synthesis: Design and synthesize a library of high-performance, nanostructured ceria-based catalysts derived from rare-earth precursors. Material Characterization: Rigorously characterize the physicochemical properties of the synthesized materials using various advanced techniques. Experimental Campaign & Data Generation: Conduct systematic, high-fidelity experiments to evaluate catalyst performance under industrially relevant conditions. Data Analysis and Dissemination: Analyze experimental data and take a leading role in preparing high-impact manuscripts, patent applications, and conference presentations. Mentorship: Assist in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students involved in the project. Candidate Profile: A Ph.D. in Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline is required. A strong track record of high-quality publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals. Demonstrated hands-on experience in materials synthesis and characterization. Prior experience with gas-phase systems (e.g., gas-phase catalytic reactions, adsorption, or reactor design) is strongly encouraged and will be highly valued. Excellent problem-solving skills, independence, and a proactive, hands-on approach to research. Appointment Details: Salary: Competitive, in the range of 30,000 – 40,000 USD per annum, commensurate with experience. Contract: The position is offered on a yearly contract basis. The initial contract is extendable by six months, subject to performance and approval from the research center. Principal Investigator: Kumar Vikrant: https://vinuni.edu.vn/people/kumar-vikrant/. How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter detailing their research experience and motivation for this specific project, along with a comprehensive CV, to the Principal Investigator, Prof. Kumar Vikrant, at vikrant.k@vinuni.edu.vn. Please include “Postdoc Application: Project AURORA” in the subject line of your email.

School/Section: University Senior Management Division: Principal's Office Staff Category: Academic Position Type: Full Time Duration of Post: Substantive Grade: Competitive Salary From: Competitive Remuneration package Salary to: Competitive Remuneration package Location: Aberdeen Closing Date: 30/01/2026 Ref No: PRO001A Documents: Further Particulars.pdf (PDF, 1148.42kb) We are seeking an exceptional academic leader to join us as Provost to champion and drive academic excellence across all areas of our work. Reporting to the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and working as a key member of the Senior Management Team, the Provost will play a central role in delivering the ambitions of our Aberdeen 2040 strategy. The Provost will provide strategic and operational leadership to all Schools through the line-management of Heads of School, ensuring the delivery of high-quality education, an excellent student experience, and world-leading research and innovation. They will oversee School plans and budgets, support performance against institutional KPIs, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the University to embed a strong culture of excellence and accountability. A key aspect of the role is providing executive leadership for strategic planning, including the ongoing development and monitoring of Aberdeen 2040 and oversight of the University’s strategic planning processes. This is a pivotal time to join Aberdeen. We have launched Adapting for Continued Success, a major University-wide transformation programme that will design and implement a new operating model to support our academic mission, strengthen long-term financial sustainability, and ensure we continue to evolve in response to the changing needs of our community and the wider world. Alongside this, we are undertaking a Governance Efficiency Review covering Court, Senate, Senior Management and General Council, with the aim of delivering streamlined, effective governance that will enable the University to realise its long-term ambitions. We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking academic leader with a strong record of achievement in education and/or research, substantial senior experience in developing and delivering academic strategy, and a proven ability to manage resources efficiently. The successful candidate will bring a performance-driven mindset, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to influence and negotiate effectively at senior levels. They will have a deep understanding of the challenges facing the HE sector, strong judgement, and the ability to motivate and lead multi-disciplinary teams, while confidently delegating and empowering colleagues. How to Apply This is an exceptional opportunity to play a defining role in shaping the future of one of the UK’s oldest and most ambitious universities. To find out more and apply, please click here or contact Nick Edwards  n.edwards@abdn.ac.uk  for an informal discussion.