University assistant (predoctoral) at the Department of Political Science Universität Wien

Job description:

At the University of Vienna almost 11,000 personalities work together towards answering the big questions of the future. Around 7,700  of them do research and teaching, around 3,000 work in administration and organisation. We are looking for a/an

University assistant (predoctoral) at the Department of Political Science

This position is a research leave replacement, and it is vacant for the duration and to the extent of the position holder’s absence.

Your personal sphere of influence:

Your future position is at the Department of Political Science in the research area of Comparative Policy Analysis. 

The Department of Political Science, a subunit of the Faculty of Social Sciences, addresses all major fields of political science. It is dedicated to innovative and problem-oriented research and provides students with a wide range of specialisations. Members of the Department study the transformation of governance, statehood and democracy across different policy areas, geographical regions and political areas.

You will join the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS), led by Professor Barbara Prainsack. This research group investigates how solidarity shapes social justice, institutional design, and policy interventions across a range of domains, using rigorous qualitative and theoretically grounded approaches. The Centre brings together pre- and post-doctoral researchers and fellows from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Your work will contribute to the Centre’s wider research on solidarity, policy, and institutional design.

Your future tasks:

Participation in research and administration in the field of comparative policy analysis and qualitative methods as well as in the research group CeSCoS ("Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity'', led by Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Barbara Prainsack). 

This involves, in particular, the participation in the organisation of events, seminars, and other formats of academic collaboration and exchange:

• Support with research projects and grant applications
• Participation in publications / academic articles / presentations
• Participation in the organisation of meetings, conferences, symposia
• Participation in the department administration as well as in teaching and research administration

This is what you will bring:

• Master's (or equivalent) degree in the field of political science or a similar social science discipline relevant to comparative policy analysis
• Willingness to align an existing or emerging doctoral research project with a focus on comparative policy analysis and practices of solidarity
• Good knowledge of qualitative methods and basic knowledge of quantitative methods; experience with text coding, and familiarity with AI tools for research will be an advantage
• Didactic competence
• Excellent command of English as a working language, other languages are an advantage
• IT user skills
• Ability to work in a team 
• Further desirable qualifications are:
  • Familiarity with scholarship on solidarity
  • Experience of working with e-learning
  • Knowledge of university processes and structures
  • International experience, including work in diplomacy, public institutions, or international organisations
  • Basic experience in academic research

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Good public transport connections: Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & Coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge.

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3.776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Get off to a great start in your new job: the Welcome Compass helps you settle into your new role at the University of Vienna and life in Vienna.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

It is that easy to apply:

• Letter of motivation (in English)
• Scientific curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (in German or English)
• Short doctoral project proposal (3-4 pages, in German or English)
• Two selected text samples, one of which is your master's thesis
• Contact details of two referees who can be contacted for a reference in writing or by phone
• Certificates
• Via our  job portal/ Apply now -  button

If you have any content questions, please contact:

Marlene Auer

marlene.auer@univie.ac.at

We look forward to welcoming new members to 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.

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Application deadline: 10/28/2026 

Apply now