An der Universität Wien arbeiten über 10.000 Persönlichkeiten gemeinsam an den großen Fragen der Zukunft. Davon sind rund 7.500 wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter*innen. Persönlichkeiten, die mit ihrer Neugier und ihrem Streben nach Exzellenz zu internationaler Spitzenforschung und Lehre beitragen. Bei uns finden sie den Raum, sich auszuprobieren und ihr Potenzial zu entfalten. Sie wollen das auch? Wir suchen einen*eine

Wiss. Projektmitarbeiter*in praedoc

53 Fakultät für Geowissenschaften, Geographie und Astronomie

Besetzung ab: 01.09.2025 | Stundenausmaß: 40,00 | Einstufung KV: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)

Befristung bis:

Detailed description

There are many good reasons to want to research and teach at the University of Vienna. And one key reason why around 7,500 academic staff members before you have chosen this university. They see themselves as individuals who need the freedom to explore their curiosity and pursue their constant drive for excellence in research. Do you feel the same? Then welcome to our team!

UrbanSlide is an ERC Starting Grant project (July 2025–June 2030) hosted at the University of Vienna, investigating the complex drivers of landslide risk in rapidly urbanising tropical cities.
The project will develop a hybrid modelling framework combining process-based and statistical methods to examine causal feedbacks among urban growth, social vulnerability, and extreme rainfall.

A key focus lies on the impact of informal settlement expansion on steep slopes and how these influence landslide hazards. The doctoral researcher will support the project by developing a landslide hazard model that incorporates urbanisation dynamics, using the Python-based LandslideProbability tool from the Landlab library.

This position is ideal for candidates interested in improving hazard modelling and exploring socio-environmental feedbacks. One central research objective is to identify whether a socioeconomic gradient of landslide risk exists globally.

Additional travel budget for fieldwork and conferences is available.

Your personal freedom:

As a Pre-doc researcher, you will join the Geohazards research team, contributing to projects focused on the complex drivers of landslide risk in rapidly urbanising tropical cities and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. The position involves tasks such asn geohazard modeling, contribute to project activities, and participate in fieldwork and conferences. You will assist in writing research articles and proposals, and support administrative and outreach tasks related to the project. We offer a flexible work environment, a competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth in an international, dynamic setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and complete a PhD dissertation on geohazard modelling (physical geography focus)
• Contribute to project and group activities, including workshops and internal meetings
• Participate in empirical fieldwork and scientific conferences
• Assist in writing research articles, project proposals, and other research-related outputs
• Support administrative and outreach tasks related to the project

Your Profile:

• Background in geography, geotechnical engineering, or related fields
• Basic knowledge of programming (preferably Python; R or MATLAB also accepted with willingness to switch)
• Experience in quantitative data analysis
• Interest and/or experience in landslide research
• Willingness to conduct fieldwork in: Dehradun and Nainital (India), Bujumbura (Burundi), Bukavu (DR Congo), and Medellín (Colombia)
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Additional languages such as French, Spanish, or German are assets
• Ability to work in an intercultural, international research team

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Enjoy flexible working hours and the option to work remotely part of the time.

Inspiring work environment: Be part of an international team with excellent research infrastructure and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

Convenient public transport access: Your new workplace is easily reachable by public transportation.

Internal training and coaching: We offer ongoing opportunities to expand and deepen your skills.

Fair compensation: The base salary of EUR 3,714.80 (full-time) may increase depending on recognized previous work experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every new personality to our team!

Application Documents (in English)

1. Cover Letter (2 pages)

• One page explaining your motivation for applying
• One page with a solution to the task described below (including visualizations)

2. Academic Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)

• Education and degrees (including PhD certificate if applicable)
• Positions held
• Career breaks (e.g., parental leave, caregiving)
• Awards, honors, and commissions of trust
• Third-party funding and (if applicable) inventions/patents
• Teaching and mentoring experience
• List of peer-reviewed publications
• Optional: Link to your ORCID with a complete and current publication list

3. Research Statement (1 page)

• Describe your proposed contribution to the development of a landslide hazard model incorporating urbanisation
• Identify your target journals and publication strategy

4. Task Assignment (summary to be attached to the cover letter)

• Use World Bank data to compare trends in GDP per capita, life expectancy, and CO₂ emissions per capita for DR Congo and Burundi
• Create up to three clear graphics, each with brief explanatory text
• Highlight and explain key patterns or insights
• Explain how you would present your solution to a working unit and ensure its long-term usability
• Add appropriate metadata and labels
• Submit the graphics (as an appendix to the cover letter) along with:
  -The code (Python, R, or MATLAB)
  -A short description of your methodology (e.g., Jupyter notebook, script)

Equality and Diversity
The University of Vienna is committed to non-discriminatory employment practices and equal opportunities for all. We aim to increase the representation of women in academic positions and therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply. Where candidates are equally qualified, female applicants will be given preference.

Contact & Submission
Dr. Ugur Öztürk
Email: ugur.oeztuerk@univie.ac.at

Bei inhaltlichen Fragen kontaktieren Sie bitte:

Ugur Öztürk

ugur.oeztuerk@univie.ac.at

Wir freuen uns über neue Persönlichkeiten in unserem Team!
Die Universität Wien betreibt eine antidiskriminatorische Anstellungspolitik und legt Wert auf Chancengleichheit, Frauenförderung und Diversität. Wir streben eine Erhöhung des Frauenanteils beim wissenschaftlichen und allgemeinen Universitätspersonal insbesondere in Leitungsfunktionen an und fordern daher qualifizierte Frauen ausdrücklich zur Bewerbung auf. Bei gleicher Qualifikation werden Frauen vorrangig aufgenommen.

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