Postdoctoral Researcher (qualitative) (m/f/d) – Refugees’ (Im)Mobilities & Political Agency

The University for Continuing Education Krems specializes in part-time academic continuing education. As a public university for continuing education, it works with its expertise in teaching and research to overcome societal challenges and tailors its study programs to address them.

The following position is available to strengthen our team of the Department for Migration and Globalisation at the Faculty of Business and Globalisation:

Postdoctoral Researcher (qualitative) (m/f/d) – Refugees’ (Im)Mobilities & Political Agency

40 hrs./week Advertisement No. SB25-0075

Job Description

The Department for Migration and Globalisation of the University for Continuing Education Krems is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to undertake research in two projects led by Dr. Lea Müller-Funk: to a larger degree (85%) you will contribute to the new project ‘RESTATE: Refugees’ Political Participation and State-(Re)Making in Displacement’ (2025-2030) and to a minor degree (15%) to the project ‘SYREALITY: Syrian Imaginations of Europe meet Reality’ (2022-2027).

RESTATE investigates how refugees perceive and engage with the state throughout their displacement journeys, and how these perceptions shape their roles as political actors. Centring refugees’ political agency, the project aims to: (1) provide a dynamic understanding of refugees’ experiences and interactions with the state; (2) discern which forms of state violence erode trust in state institutions and potentially incite political resistance; (3) theorise the conditions of refugees’ political participation throughout their displacement trajectories; and (4) theorise the implications of refugees’ political participation in both origin and host states for processes of ‘state-making’ – attempts to fulfil key government functions such as protection, justice, and the provision of services. Employing a comparative mixed-methods and multi-sited approach, the project studies displacement from three civil-war states (Afghanistan, South Sudan and Syria) in four major host states (Iran, Turkey, Uganda, and Germany). The project will collect a cross-national survey, life histories, online interviews, and a compilation of humorous representations of the state. The team consists of the Principal Investigator (PI), two postdoctoral researchers, a PhD researcher, a project manager, and local research assistants. The qualitative postdoctoral researcher will co-lead the qualitative data collection and lead the Afghan case study.

The postdoctoral researcher will also be involved in the analysis of the qualitative data of the SYREALITY project. Taking on a longitudinal perspective, SYREALITY focuses on Syrians who have settled in four cities across Europe since 2011. It investigates (i) how broader life aspirations influence migration decision-making in a context of forced displacement; (ii) which influence war and displacement have on life aspirations and social class; and (iii) how the context of reception in four different European cities impact their life aspirations and well-being.

Your tasks

• Contributing to the analysis of the SYREALITY qualitative dataset and co-authoring one journal article together with the PI.
• Contributing to the conceptual framework of the RESTATE project through reading groups and working on a joint conceptual paper.
• Developing the RESTATE qualitative interview guides together with the team.
• Leading the qualitative data collection in Istanbul (Afghan case study), Berlin (Afghan case study), and Adjumani (South Sudanese case study) together with local research assistants.
• Co-leading the remote qualitative fieldwork in conflict countries together with the PI (follow-up interviews with family members of previous interviewees per phone in Afghanistan, Iran, and South Sudan).
• Authoring two journal articles based on the RESTATE qualitative data and contributing to two other co-authored project publications (e.g. working paper, Methodological Handbook chapter, journal article).
• Participating in project team meetings and research cluster meetings and contributing to the organization of events and workshops.
• Presenting work-in-progress at international workshops, conference panels, and to colleagues within the department and the university.

Your profile

We require evidence of the following qualifications for the application:

• Completed university degree (Doctorate/PhD) in Anthropology, Geography, Sociology, Political Science or in related interdisciplinary fields such as migration studies, preferably completed with distinction (criterion must be met by 31 October 2025 at latest)
• Strong qualitative skills
• Previous research experience in the Global South
• Prior knowledge about the Afghan context
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Enthusiasm to contribute to a collaborative team environment and to shared goals
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team and independently
• Excellent organizational skills and motivation and ability to meet project milestones/deadlines
• Advanced language competency in Dari or Farsi (min. C1)
• Advanced English language competency (speaking and writing for academic contexts) (min. C1)
• A reflexive approach towards your work

In addition, the following criteria are desirable:

• Experience with biographical methods or ethnography
• Previous research work on political participation, refugees’ (im)mobilities, agency, or resistance
• Publication record in international journals
• Passion for and experience with mixed methods
• Passion for and experience with comparative research
• Knowledge of quantitative methods

Your perspective

As postdoctoral researcher, you will be employed by the Department for Migration and Globalisation of the University of Continuing Education Krems, located in the city of Krems. The start of the contract is foreseen for January 2026. Full time (40 hours/week) initially limited to three years. Another extension might be possible upon the availability of remaining funding. Minimum salary of EUR 4,932.90 € gross per month on a full-time basis. Classification as a scientific project staff member according to § 49 VwGr. B1. In addition, the university grants employees a 13th and 14th monthly salary (Christmas and vacation bonuses). You will be entitled to 25 vacation days and additional public holidays per year (full-time basis). Apart from fieldwork periods, possibility of home office and mobile working within Austria (max. 42% of working hours). Possibility to apply for a commuting allowance. Innovative and modern working environment at the Campus Krems. Very good opportunities for further education within the framework of our own study programs, extensive offer of workplace health promotion as well as the University Sports Institute (USI). We also provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering further opportunities to enhance your skills through participating in trainings and summer schools. The Department for Migration and Globalisation is highly successful in acquiring third-party research funding.

Your application should include: Your CV, Motivation letter (max. 3 pages), A writing sample, Contact information of 2 referees.