Principal, Physical Sciences & Engineering

About XISTA Science Ventures

XISTA Science Ventures invests in deep-tech companies built on world-class science. We have recently closed our second fund and are actively deploying capital into new companies. We are part of XISTA, the innovation ecosystem anchored at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg near Vienna, which brings together tech transfer, venture capital and shared lab infrastructure on one campus.

We back scientific founders across Europe at the earliest stage — often before the company exists — and stay with them through spin-out, first financing rounds and growth. Our edge is proximity to science: we see breakthroughs early, understand them deeply, and help turn them into companies.

The role

We are hiring a Principal, Physical Sciences & Engineering to drive our investment activity in quantum technologies, photonics, electronics and robotics. Full-time, based in Klosterneuburg/Vienna.

Working closely with the Partners, you will cover the physical-sciences vertical across the full investment cycle: building deal flow from ISTA and leading European Universities, shaping spin-outs from scratch, preparing and presenting investment opportunities to the investment committee, and supporting portfolio companies as a board member or observer. This is a partner-track position: we are hiring with the explicit intention that you grow into a Partner role at XISTA Science Ventures.

Responsibilites

• Source: Build and manage deal flow in quantum, photonics, electronics and robotics from ISTA and leading research institutes across Europe.
• Build companies: Work with scientists, entrepreneurs and tech transfer to shape spin-outs ( team, IP, business model, first funding) before and at incorporation.
• Invest: Run due diligence (technology, market, team, IP), structure term sheets, present and champion deals at investment committee.
• Support the portfolio: Serve on boards, help with hiring, follow-on financing, non-dilutive funding (e.g. FFG, aws, EIC) and commercial partnerships.
• Build the network: Represent XISTA Science Ventures among co-investors, corporates, and the European deep-tech community; build our network in hardware-heavy sectors.
• Shape the fund: Contribute to fund strategy, thesis development, portfolio construction and, over time, fundraising.

Your profile

Must have

• PhD (or equivalent research depth) in physics, electrical engineering, photonics, robotics or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience after your degree, of which at least 2 in venture capital, deep-tech company building, or a senior commercial/technical role at a startup or scale-up.
• A track record of leading or materially shaping investments or company formations, with the proven capability to connect technical differentiation to customer value and commercial implementation.
• The ability to judge both the science and the business: technical feasibility, IP position, market size, path to product.
• Fluency in English; German is a plus.

Nice to have

• Operating experience as a founder or early employee in a hardware company.
• An existing network among European deep-tech investors, corporates, or research labs.
• Familiarity with Austrian and EU funding instruments (FFG, aws, EIC Accelerator/Pathfinder).

How you work

You are curious and rigorous, comfortable with scientific depth and commercial ambiguity, and you earn the trust of researchers and founders. You bring an entrepreneurial and collaborative working style to the table.

Our offer

• Salary: The minimum gross annual salary for this position is EUR 100,000 (all-in, paid in 14 installments).
• Carried interest participation in XISTA Science Ventures.
• A partner-track position with a defined path to Partner.
• Working with some of the most exciting science hubs across Europe, including ISTA
• Embedded in a campus with top notch science, infrastructure, shared labs, startups and researchers next door.
• Flexible working hours, hybrid work, and a budget for conferences and professional development.
• Shuttle bus ticket for convenient commuting.
• Relocation support for candidates moving to Austria.

Apply

Send your CV and a work sample (max. one page) to recruiting@xista.vc. In the sample, tell us about one early-stage deep-tech company or technology in quantum, photonics, electronics or robotics you would invest in today,and why.

We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to fill the role by March 1st, 2027 at the latest. Our process: intro call, case discussion, meetings with the team and selected founders, references.

XISTA is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We particularly welcome applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds.