PhD Position in Philosophy in FWF Project "Bodies of Knowledge" Universität Wien

Job description:

The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking a/an

PhD Position in Philosophy in FWF Project "Bodies of Knowledge"

Call for Applications: PhD in Philosophy at the University of Vienna (30h/week, 4 years)

The FWF-funded research project “Bodies of Knowledge: Use-Based Expertise Beyond Biomedicine” – PI: Sophie Juliane Veigl – invites applications for a fully funded PhD Position.

Expected Start Date: Dec 2026 (with some flexibility)

About: Waning trust in science is often framed as a crisis of expertise. Yet many communities beyond institutionalized medicine produce sophisticated forms of knowledge through their engagement with biomedical technologies. But are these knowers experts? And can current philosophical understandings of expertise account for these forms of knowledge? Bodies of Knowledge investigates how expertise is produced and negotiated in communities that engage with steroid hormones beyond conventional healthcare settings. Through a participatory research design, the project integrates qualitative social science methods with philosophical analysis. Current case studies examine steroid hormone use by bodybuilders (PI-led) and DIY gender-affirming care (Postdoc-led).

Your personal sphere of influence:

The PhD Project: The successful applicant will develop an original doctoral project within the broader research agenda of Bodies of Knowledge. Applicants are invited to propose an empirical case study of a community that uses steroid hormones. The proposed project may build on one of the existing empirical contexts or investigate another community. Applications should outline a case study the applicant would be excited to pursue, explain its relevance for the project, and outline how the applicant envisions approaching it empirically and philosophically. The doctoral researcher will be supervised by Sophie Juliane Veigl.

What we Offer: The successful candidate will join a small, collaborative, and internationally connected research team at the Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna. The PhD researcher will work alongside the Principal Investigator and postdoctoral researcher in regular project meetings, reading groups, and collaborative discussions, while developing an independent doctoral project.

Your future tasks:

The PhD Project: The successful applicant will develop an original doctoral project within the broader research agenda of Bodies of Knowledge. Applicants are invited to propose an empirical case study of a community that uses steroid hormones. The proposed project may build on one of the existing empirical contexts or investigate another community. Applications should outline a case study the applicant would be excited to pursue, explain its relevance for the project, and outline how the applicant envisions approaching it empirically and philosophically. The doctoral researcher will be supervised by Sophie Juliane Veigl.

Doctoral Program: The doctoral researcher will conduct their PhD thesis as part of the Doctoral Program in Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy. The doctoral researcher is expected to become member of The Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy. For more information, see https://vd-philosophy.univie.ac.at/

The successful candidate will: finalize their dissertation agreement within 12-18 months; complete the required coursework of the Doctoral Program in Philosophy (minimum 24 ECTS); develop and conduct empirical research within the framework of the FWF project; engage in participatory research by collaborating with community members throughout the research process; carry out qualitative empirical research (e.g. interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, document analysis); analyse empirical material using qualitative methods and contribute to the project's analysis of use-base expertise; engage with relevant scholarship in philosophy of science, STS, feminist epistemology, and related fields; contribute to joint publications and other collaborative research outputs; present research at international conferences and workshops; actively contribute to the intellectual life of the project and the Department of Philosophy through regular research meetings, reading groups, and methodological discussions.

This is part of your personality:

Who should Apply? We are looking for a candidate who is excited about combining philosophical inquiry with empirical research. You do not need prior experience with participatory research and qualitative methods, but you should be genuinely interested in learning them. The project provides training and close supervision in empirical methods.

Requirements:

- a Master's degree in Philosophy, or a related discipline;

- a strong interest in philosophy of science and Science and Technology Studies;

- an interest in questions of expertise, biomedical technologies, and science-society relations;

-  excellent written and spoken English;

-  enthusiasm for collaborative and interdisciplinary research.

What we offer:

The position includes:

• a fully funded four-year (3+1) PhD position (30 hours/week); The basic salary of EUR 3.776,10 (14x/year; on a full-time basis (40h)) increases if we can credit professional experience.
• close supervision and mentoring throughout the doctoral project;
• structured training in qualitative empirical research methods;
• hands-on experience with participatory research and community-engaged scholarship
• opportunities for collaborative publications and interdisciplinary research;
• funding for conference participation, research visits, workshops, and fieldwork;
• opportunities to build an international academic network;
• enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely.
• You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.
• Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport.
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The employment duration is 3 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 3 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a declaration of non-extension. With appropriate work progress, an extension to a total maximum of 4 years is possible.

It is that easy to apply:

• Applications should include:

  • a motivation letter (including a ~ 1 page project sketch)
  • a curriculum vitae;
  • Master Degree/Diploma
  • one letter of recommendation.
  • Via our job portal – hit the apply now button

If you have any questions, please contact:

Sophie Juliane Veigl  

sophie.juliane.veigl@univie.ac.at

We look forward to new personalities in our team! 
The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

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​Application deadline: 09/23/2026 

Apply now