About the opportunity
The Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies at the University of Vienna invites applications for a Tenure-Track Professorship in Medieval German Literature. The successful candidate will represent the discipline in its full breadth, with expected expertise in the High or Late Middle Ages, fundamentals of philology, and the history of language. The role involves outstanding research, dedicated teaching, and active collaboration within the Department of German Studies and the faculty’s DocSchool.
Salary and benefits
- Opportunity to obtain a permanent position and eventual promotion to full professor.
- Initial contract as Assistant Professor limited to six years; becomes permanent as Associate Professor after positive evaluation of a qualification agreement.
- Associate Professors can be promoted to Full Professor through an internal competitive procedure.
- Attractive salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff (level A2).
- Organisational retirement plan.
- Dynamic research environment with world-class collections, archives, and libraries.
- Wide range of research and teaching support services.
Who can apply?
- Doctoral degree/PhD.
- Two years of international research experience during or after doctoral studies.
- Outstanding research achievements, excellent publication and funding record, and international reputation.
- Gender and diversity competence.
- Experience in designing and participating in research projects, ability to lead research groups and acquire third-party funding.
- Enthusiasm for excellent teaching and supervision at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level.
- Requirement to acquire proficiency in German sufficient for teaching in bachelor's programmes and participating in university committees within three years.
Required documents
- Letter of motivation.
- Academic curriculum vitae including: education and training (PhD Certificate), positions held, career breaks, awards and honors, commissions of trust, cooperation partners, third-party funding/inventions/patents, list of scientific talks (max 10), teaching and mentoring, and supervision experience.
- List of publications.
- Link to a publicly accessible ORCID record with a complete and current publication list.
- Three key publications as electronic full text versions (PDF, max 30 MB).
- Research statement including: most important research achievements (max 2 pages), planned future research activities (max 4 pages), synopsis of three key publications relevant to the position, and publication strategy.
- Teaching and supervision statement including: teaching and supervision concept (max 2 pages) and teaching evaluations (if available).
When to apply
- Application deadline: 09/15/2026
How to apply
- Submit the application exclusively through the "Apply now" link on the official job portal.
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…
- Researchers holding a doctoral degree in German literature or related fields with expertise in the High or Late Middle Ages.
- Candidates bringing two years of international research experience and an established publication and funding record.
- Scholars eager to engage in teaching, supervision, and active collaboration within an Austrian university environment.
What should you think carefully about?
- The initial contract is limited to six years, with permanent associate professor status contingent upon a positive evaluation.
- Applicants must acquire sufficient proficiency in German within three years to teach bachelor's programs and participate in university committees.
- Relocation to Vienna is required for this on-site, full-time tenure-track position.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This tenure-track professorship offers an established pathway toward a permanent academic career, combining dedicated research support with undergraduate and graduate teaching in a major European cultural institution.
Our take
Early- to mid-career scholars with strong international credentials in medieval German studies who are prepared to learn German and relocate to Vienna should seriously consider applying.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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