"Postdoctoral University Assistant"

Startdate: 01.12.2025 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)

Limited until: 30.11.2031

As a postdoctoral university assistant at the Department of Contemporary History, you will be involved in research and teaching in the field of “Austrian contemporary history since 1918 in an international context.”

Your future tasks:

• You will support the professorship in research, teaching, and administration and you are ready to take on tasks at the institute.
• You conduct research and write a habilitation thesis, a second book, or a project related to the professorship's thematic focus and develop an independent research profile.
• You give lectures and publish internationally.
• You will be involved in applying for projects and acquiring third-party funding.
• You will independently teach courses amounting to 4 semester hours per week.

Your profile:

• You have in-depth knowledge of contemporary Austrian history since 1918 and are interested in deepening and communicating this knowledge in the areas of teaching, research and public outreach.
• You are planning a habilitation, a second book or a research project in one of the following areas with a focus on Austria: research on dictatorship and transformation; historical identity formation; political history and the history of social movements; contemporary and media history. A transnational perspective (comparison, transfer, circulation) is encouraged.
• You are prepared to teach a methodology course or workshop on contemporary history and media.

We expect:

• Completed doctoral/PhD thesis in history or another cultural or social science subject with a focus on the 20th and 21st centuries
• Teamwork skills
• Experience in independent teaching
• Experience in organizing conferences and workshops
• Experience in media analysis, working with databases, literature management systems, and AI programs
• Experience in public history communication and media production
• Fluency in written and spoken German and English

Desirable would be:

• Experience with research projects (conceptualization, administration, coordination) as well as with securing third-party funding
• Knowledge of an additional language relevant to the chosen regional research focus
• Experience of working abroad

What we offer:

• 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 in the center of beautiful Vienna 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 4,932.90 (full-time, 14 times per year) increases if we can credit professional experience.
• Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

It is that easy to apply:

• Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
• Presentation of the research project (max. 5 pages)
• Syllabus for a methodology course or workshop on contemporary history and media (max. 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including proof of teaching experience and a list of publications and lectures
• Certificate of completed doctorate or submitted dissertation
• PDF or link to the online version of the dissertation

Apply via the University of Vienna job portal. Application deadline: October 19, 2025

If you have any content questions, please contact: Agnes Meisinger