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University assistant predoctoral at the Department of Development Studies

49 Faculty of Social Sciences

Job vacancy starting: 09/ 01/2025

Limited contract until: 08/31/2029

Your position is located at the Department of Development Studies, a subunit of the Faculty of Social Sciences, whose teaching and research focuses on the transdisciplinary analysis and critical reflection of global inequalities.
At the core of teaching and research are theories and approaches to social, political, historical, cultural, and economic transformations and inequalities, as well as their reflection, along with questions regarding methodological approaches to the subject of "development." We consider transdisciplinary collaboration in both teaching and research as essential for understanding political, economic, social, and cultural processes, dynamics, power structures, as well as their interplay on both global and local levels.
At the Department of Development Studies you can expect a team of dedicated researchers, exciting research projects, collegial and transdisciplinary collaboration, as well as exchanges with a young and engaged generation of students.

Your personal sphere of influence:

As a University Assistant (Praedoc), you will join the research team led by Prof. Dr. Franziska Müller and take on responsibilities in both research and teaching.
The research team centres a political science perspective and concentrates on a range of thematic areas, particularly green extractivism, energy colonialism, hydrogen politics, post-development, and the politics of ecosystemic survival in the Anthropocene. Our regional focus includes Southern and Western Africa, Latin America, and the EU’s external borders. Our research strategies are informed by post- and decolonial critique, political ecology and critical geography, critical governance research/governmentality analysis, international political economy, as well as qualitative, discourse-theoretical, and participatory methods.

Your future tasks:

You will actively participate in research, teaching, and administration, including:

o Collaboration within the Development Research unit from a political science perspective

• Participation in research projects and the preparation of research proposals
• Contribution to publications, conferences, and events
• Preparation of a dissertation proposal on global hydrogen politics with a focus on states in the Global South
• Independent research within the framework of the dissertation project
• Independent teaching of courses and conducting examinations as assigned, including supervising students
• Contribution to organizational and administrative tasks as well as evaluation measures
• Participation in department administration

This is part of your personality:

o Completed Master’s or Diploma degree in International Development, Political Science, or related fields with a political science/political economy focus o Expertise in the fields of international politics, political ecology, and critical international political economy. Additionally, subject-matter expertise in green geopolitics and social science research on green hydrogen, as well as on civil society and labor union transformation strategies, is an advantage.

• Methodological skills, particularly experience with qualitative and transdisciplinary methods, including knowledge transfer
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent proficiency in German and English, both written and spoken; additional language skills, such as Spanish, are desirable
• Proficiency in IT applications relevant to social sciences
• Teamwork skills
  
  Desirable qualifications:
• Teaching experience/e- learning experience/ moderation skills
• Organizational and administrative competencies
• Proven networking in the field of socio-ecological transformation and civil society outreach
• International research experience, preferably in Latin America
• Familiarity with university processes and structures
• Initial proven experience in academic research

What we offer:

Contract Duration: The employment contract is for 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the contract will automatically be extended to 4 years unless the employer issues a non-renewal notice within the first 12 months.

Work-Life Balance: You will have flexible working hours and the option to work partially remotely.

Inspiring Work Environment: You will be part of an international team with excellent research infrastructure in a relaxed working atmosphere.

Convenient Public Transport Access: Your new workplace is easily accessible by public transportation.

Internal Training and Coaching: We offer you ongoing opportunities to expand and deepen your skills.

Fair Salary: The base salary of EUR 3,714.80 (full-time basis) will increase if we can account for prior professional experience.

Equal Opportunities for All: We welcome every additional personality to our team!

It is that easy to apply:

o With your academic CV / Letter of Intent o With a summary of your research interests/dissertation concept (max. 4 pages)

• Proof of completed Master’s/Diploma degree
• Through our job portal / "Apply Now" button
  

If you have any questions, please contact:

Franziska Müller

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 lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

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07/22/2025