About the opportunity
The Department of Political Science at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for a predoctoral University Assistant position starting April 1, 2027. Based in the Comparative Policy Analysis area, the successful candidate will join the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS), directed by Professor Barbara Prainsack. The role combines independent doctoral research with contributions to qualitative policy analysis, grant writing, teaching, academic event planning, and departmental administration. The appointment is for up to four years, initially contracted for 1.5 years with automatic renewal to four years barring a declaration of non-renewal within the first 12 months.
Salary and benefits
- Gross basic salary of €3,776.10 per month calculated on a full-time basis (pro-rated for 30 hours per week under Collective Bargaining Agreement §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe praedoc), with higher pay possible based on recognized prior experience
- Four-year employment contract (initial 1.5-year contract automatically extended to four years unless non-renewed after 12 months)
- Flexible working hours with options for partial remote work
- Access to more than 600 free internal continuing education and coaching courses
- Onboarding support via the university's Welcome Compass
- Convenient campus location with public transit accessibility
Who can apply?
- Master's degree (or equivalent) in political science or a related social science discipline relevant to comparative policy analysis
- Commitment to developing and aligning an existing or emerging doctoral research project with comparative policy analysis and practices of solidarity
- Strong command of qualitative research methods and basic knowledge of quantitative methods
- Didactic competence for university-level teaching
- Excellent working proficiency in English and good proficiency in German (additional languages are advantageous)
- Competence in standard IT applications, capacity to work in a collaborative team, and ability to conduct independent research
Required documents
- Letter of motivation written in English
- Curriculum vitae with list of academic publications (in English or German)
- Short doctoral research project proposal (3 to 4 pages, in English or German)
- Two selected text samples, one of which must be the applicant's master's thesis
- Evidence of prior teaching experience, if available
- Contact details of two academic referees
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
When to apply
- Application deadline is October 28, 2026
- Position start date is April 1, 2027
How to apply
- Review the position requirements and prepare all application documents in English or German as specified
- Access the official University of Vienna job portal using Job ID 6326
- Submit the application and upload all required documents through the 'Apply now' portal before October 28, 2026
Additional information
- Desirable qualifications include familiarity with solidarity scholarship, e-learning platforms, university administrative structures, project management, international research experience, grant application and budget drafting experience, and international conference organization
- The successful appointee is expected to formally register a doctoral thesis agreement and obtain PhD proposal approval within 9 to 12 months of appointment
- For substantive questions regarding the position, applicants may contact Marlene Auer at marlene.auer@univie.ac.at
- The University of Vienna operates an equal-opportunity employment policy; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and given preference in cases of equal merit
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Early-career social scientists with a strong background in qualitative methodology who want to earn a PhD within a specialized, collaborative research environment
- Researchers whose intellectual focus intersects with comparative public policy, social justice, and contemporary practices of solidarity
- Candidates possessing bilingual German and English capabilities who have prior exposure to grant drafting, project coordination, or academic teaching
What should you think carefully about?
- The role entails a 30-hour weekly part-time schedule rather than full-time employment, which scales the monthly salary proportionally
- Requires physical presence in Vienna, Austria, alongside departmental duties including independent teaching, administrative tasks, and event organization
- The initial contract is fixed at 1.5 years and only extends to the full four-year term subject to institutional review and approval of the doctoral proposal within 9-12 months
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position offers an ideal bridge for an aspiring political scientist seeking a funded doctoral degree combined with formal academic employment. Rather than relying on a standalone stipend, you join an active research group (CeSCoS) led by Professor Barbara Prainsack, gaining hands-on experience in teaching, university governance, and grant administration that substantially strengthens academic career prospects across Europe.
Our take
Strongly recommended for recent master's graduates in political or social science who are prepared to relocate to Vienna, balance departmental responsibilities with their own dissertation, and contribute to qualitative research on institutional solidarity.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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