Interdisciplinary Scientist – Transformative Policies & Sustainable Innovation (all genders)

• Presence / Mobile
• Work experience

• Research, development, teaching
• Published: 2026-06-11
• Code: 98-0

Interdisciplinary Scientist – Transformative Policies & Sustainable Innovation (all genders)

Become part of our team in Linz and take on a leading role in exciting interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of economics, sustainability, and technology. 

Your future tasks include:

 You will be responsible for:

• Conducting research on policy-enabled innovation in the context of sustainable electronics, clean-tech, and technological sovereignty.
• Evaluating and synthesizing policy instruments, and regulatory impact assessments for environmental and geostrategic policy instruments.
• Bring structure and translate complex technical and policy-related topics into clear messages for diverse audiences, including researchers, business leaders, and policymakers.
•  Leading and coordinating cross-company projects, ensuring effective communication and alignment among diverse partners.
• Designing and facilitating workshops that promote innovation, stakeholder collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
• Publishing scientific research and contributing to conferences related to policy-enabled innovation in areas such as sustainable electronics and clean-tech.
• Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships across sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
• Supporting customer acquisition and providing consulting services tailored to innovation and sustainability challenges.
• Preparing and managing research funding proposals and contributing to project acquisition.

Your profile:

We are looking for highly motivated, smart people, that are interested in what drives our complex world and how to improve it. No one can tick off every box, but the following aspects span (part of) the relevant skill space:

• Master's and relevant work experience (~5 year) or PhD degree, e.g. Economics (Macroeconomics, Innovation Management), Law (EU Policies, Environmental Law), Environmental Sustainability, Electronics or similar – with strong interest in various domains.
• Proficiency in German (C1 level) and English (C1 level).
• Strong knowledge or deep interest in European regulatory frameworks and transformative law in general, specifically the European Green Deal, industry policies.
• Strong knowledge or deep interest in environmental sustainability, LCAs, circular economy, geostrategic aspects of supply chains and technological sovereignty.
• Understanding of the international electronics value chain, semiconductor industry basics, and the strategic goals of the European Chips Act.
• Familiarity with the interplay between legislative "Policy Targets" and corporate innovation strategies.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information and conduct high-level analysis (evidenced by a Master’s thesis or professional research reports).
• Experience in qualitative research, including the ability to conduct and analyse expert interviews with industry partners.
• Capability in workshop design and facilitation, particularly in "collective intelligence" formats used to translate regulations into innovation opportunities.
• Ability to ideate innovation and to develop business models and exploitation strategies for innovation.
• Strong writing skills for the creation of research proposals, policy briefs, academic papers, and strategic conceptual documents.

Important Facts about SAL:

• Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Location in the heart of Europe in Austria – relocation support for non-European nationalities.
• Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
• Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
• “Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
• € 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
• Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”)
• Our values: Open door policy, flexibility in working hours, casual dress code, diverse teams, working with people of different nationalities, informal communication, lifelong learning, compatibility of family and career, sustainability, personal growth, and collective advancement.

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) starting in occupational group E (E1 salary = EUR 4056, paid 14 times a year) based on 38,5 hours per week). For this position we offer competitive salaries and additional benefits based on your experience and qualifications, starting with a minimum gross salary of EUR 65.000 (annual, based on an All-in contract).

About us:

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a top research center for Electronics and Software Based Systems (ESBS). At three locations (Graz, Villach, Linz), SAL is conducting research along the entire ESBS value chain in the areas of sensor systems, power electronics, intelligent wireless systems, microsystems and embedded systems to develop future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility, safety and more. SAL brings together key players from industry, science and research and thus valuable expertise and know-how and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is thus shaping the high-tech location Austria and Europe and developing the future. 

Innovation is our top priority and so are our employees. We are a family-friendly company and support the compatibility of work and family as much as possible. That is why we have been awarded the Work and Family Certificate until 2026. But we are constantly working on new measures to offer our employees an environment where they feel good, healthy and motivated.