FAQ - Application & Hiring process

We would kindly ask you to submit your application documents exclusively online, via our career portal. Due to GDPR policies, every candidate must agree to the data processing information, so that we can manage and process your application. 

If you would like us to keep your documents on file or to join our talent pool, then please also agree to the data processing agreement.

• Clear, well-structured CV (PDF-format)
  • Please provide relevant information about your previous projects, professional experience, and achievements.
  • You may also include personal websites or links to your publications (particularly relevant for scientific positions) and/or projects you have worked on, either individually or as part of a team.
  • Make sure to mention also workshops or courses on self-development that you have attended.
  • You are welcome to share information about your passions and hobbies as well. We look forward to getting to know you better.
• A cover letter (PDF-format), where you explain your motivation for joining AIT and why your are applying for a specific position.
• Relevant certificates and supporting documents, such as:
  • Current Academic Transcripts / Transcript of records (particularly relevant for applications for Master’s theses, PhD positions, and junior roles);
  • Employment certificates (official documents issued by previous employers confirming your employment and describing tasks and performance) and / or
  • Letters of Recommendation (personal endorsements written by supervisors or project leads).
• Proof of Identity (Passport / Identity Card): In order to clearly verify your information and ensure that the application is submitted by a real, natural person with accurate data, the submission of a valid proof of identity is required. This helps to ensure the quality and integrity of our application process.

Yes, but please note the following information.

1. First-time application at AIT

The first time you apply, you will need to create an application profile. In this step, please upload your CV, a cover letter, and, where applicable, relevant certificates and documents and, proof of identity – all in PDF format.

2. Applications for additional positions with an existing profile

If you are applying for additional positions at AIT, simply select the desired position and click "Apply Now”again. Your application will be registered immediately, and all documents you uploaded during your first application will automatically be carried over for subsequent applications.

Note – Uploading additional documents

If you wish to upload additional documents, such as another cover letter for a new position, please log in to your existing AIT profile and:

• Click on “My Application Profile” > “Documents”.
• Under “Document Type”, select the appropriate type (e.g., “Cover Letter”) and add the new file to your application profile.
• To distinguish between multiple cover letters, we recommend naming your files individually, for example: “Cover Letter_Position Name”.

• If you want to upload a new or updated CV, the previous version must be overwritten! 

  > Select “CV” under “Document Type”, upload your new file, and make sure to click “Attach file to application profile” to complete the upload.

• Once the application documents have been submitted, we look at each application. Depending on the vacancies, our recruitment team might conduct a first round of phone interviews.
• The gathered information will be forwarded to our team of experts who will have a second look at all the applications. Then, depending on the position level, a second and usually third interview will be organised directly by the Competence Unit or team that is responsible for the position. Depending on your location, interviews will be organised either online, or on-site, at our working locations.
  At AIT we prefer to involve our teams in the recruitment process to make sure that the team and the new colleague understand who they will be working with in future.
  
  You will typically be interviewed by your future supervisor, colleagues you will be working with in projects, and the head of department (Head of Competence Unit/Area). This allows us to gather multiple perspectives in the recruiting process, which strongly adds to a fair and well-informed decision process.
• After reviewing all applications and once all interviews have been completed, the final decision will be made. We will inform you about the result as soon as we can.

If you would like to enquire about the status of your application, you can either send us an e-mail at jobline(at)ait.ac.at or call our recruitment team at +43 50550-4013 oder +43 50550-4410.

If you do not find a suitable advertised position that matches your criteria, qualifications, or interests, you can join our Talent Pool by creating an AIT-profile and submitting the following documents:

• CV
• cover letter: Please indicate your preferred working arrangement (part-time/full-time) and the Center(s) or research topics you are particularly interested in.
• Relevant certificates, documents, and letters of reference (if available)
• Proof of identity

Please note that joining our Talent Pool does not guarantee a job. It simply allows us to keep your details on file and potentially contact you in the future if a suitable position becomes available. 

Nevertheless, we strongly encourage you to check our job portal regularly and apply directly online for any positions you are genuinely interested in. 

In order to stay up to date with our newest opportunities, please follow us on LinkedIn.

Yes, generally we also offer part-time jobs - In case any position is available, this one will be advertised on our job portal.

Once the CV has been uploaded, it cannot be deleted as your profile must be constantly linked to a CV file.

If you would like to upload an updated version of your CV, please overwrite the one currently stored in the system. To do this:

• please login to your AIT candidate profile, click on "File Attachments" and then, under document type, select "CV". Here you can upload a new CV / overwrite your existing CV file.
• end the process by clicking “Attach to applicant profile”.

In this case, please email us: jobline(at)ait.ac.at. 

We will deactivate your application, so that you can edit it before it is screened by our team of experts. Once you have finished editing your profile and you are redy to submit your application, please email us at jobline@ait.ac.at so that we can forward it to our colleagues.

Yes, you can edit your profile at any time by logging into your AIT profile. Go to the “File attachments” section where you can delete / upload new documents.

If you would like to withdraw your application, please email us at: jobline(at)ait.ac.at. 

If you applied for several positions, please let us know if you would like to withdraw your application only for a specific position, or for all your open applications.

If you would like to permanently delete your profile, please email us at: jobline(at)ait.ac.at.

Recent graduates of STEM subjects may apply for entry level / junior positions or a PhD position. Depending on previous job experience, the next level (such as Research Engineer, Scientist) may also be a good match. After completing an apprenticeship or technical school, positions such as a technician in one of our laboratories may be of interest.

For more information, please check out our section: Career models & Career Paths.

Our projects are interdisciplinary. AIT therefore also offers positions in the Social sciences and Humanities, for example at the Center for Innovation Systems & Policy and the Center for Technology Experience. Experts in business administration, econometrics, and economics are particularly in demand in the field of Energy Systems.

Of course, we also have the “typical” commercial/administrative positions in areas such as Office Management, Marketing, Controlling, Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, IT, or Legal Services. In these support functions, we create the framework that enables our research colleagues to carry out their projects.

If you have already gained previous experience, you may be interested in positions such as:

• Research Engineer / Expert Advisor (m/f/d), Senior Research Engineer / Senior Expert Advisor (m/f/d)
• Scientist (m/f/d), Senior Scientist (m/f/d) or Principal Scientist (m/f/d)
• Technicians (m/f/d) or Senior Technicians (m/f/d)
• Business Manager / Business Developer (m/f/d), Project Manager (m/f/d), Grant Application Manager (m/f/d) or in positions in these fields: Finance & Controlling, Accounting, HR, Legal, Purchasing & Logistics etc.

To find out more about your opportunities, read more about our career models.

• Research Engineers focus on the development and implementation of technological tools, for e.g., software or hardware and methods, and perform more operative roles.
• Scientists primarily focus on the areas of science and research, including publications and presentations at various conferences. They are responsible for identifying and addressing new scientific topics and implementing them in concrete research projects.

You could say: Scientists formulate scientific questions; Research Engineers find ways/tools/methods to answer them. Both collaborate closely in research projects. Additionally, we encourage our employees to switch from one career model to the other, providing flexibility and career variety.

In addition to their primary activities, depending on their career level, both are responsible for leading small to medium-sized and complex projects, and for project acquisition at national and international level. Both are visible to the outside world as experts in their field.

For students there are these opportunities:

• Internships for students
  • Compulsory internships are addressed to all students enrolled at universities of applied sciences. You can apply throughout the entire academic year.
  • Internships during the semester are designed for students enrolled at general universities or universities of applied sciences.
  • Summer internships are offered to all students enrolled at general universities or universities of applied sciences.
• Part-time jobs
• Bachelor theses
• Master theses
• PhD positions, as part of our AIT PhD Programme.

To be eligible for a student internship in Austria, you must be enrolled in a degree programme, either at an Austrian or international university (in Europe or outside Europe).

A typical internship at AIT lasts between 1 month and 6 months.

Yes, we also accept applications from international students. Generally, we offer international internships via IAESTE or the Erasmus / Erasmus PLUS programme.

All applications must be submitted online, via our job portal. 

Submissions via other channels, for example by email, social media platforms, SMS etc., cannot be accepted. All our current internship positions can be found on our AIT online job portal in the “Internship” section.

We are aware that not all students have had the chance to gain work experience. However, depending on the project, deep knowledge in a specific field or knowledge of specific tools, technologies or programming languages may be required.

Yes. At AIT we offer only paid internships. The remuneration depends on the level of your education (school, university).

Yes. As part of the Internship Programme of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), each year we offer a limited number of internships reserved exclusively for female students in scientific and technical fields.

Several current employees started out as interns or writing a thesis at AIT. They became a fan of AIT and applied research and decided to stay.

To be eligible for a bachelor’s or master’s thesis position, you must be enrolled in a bachelor or master study programme at a general university, a university of applied sciences in Austria, or at an international university.

Remuneration and conditions (number of hours per week) are based on the current collective agreement and depend on the type of the thesis (Bachelor or Master thesis). In addition to numerous benefits and flexi working schemes (incl. Home-Office) you will also be part of our international YOUNG AIT Group, which includes a large group of national and international students, interns, and PhD students.