Senior Scientist

Senior Scientist

40 Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies

Startdate: 01.10.2026 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)

Limited until: 30.09.2027

Reference no.: 5668

The Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies at the University of Vienna is seeking to fill a Senior Scientist position (m/f/d) in Medieval History and Historical Auxiliary Sciences.

Your personal sphere of play:

The position requires advanced academic qualifications (a Ph.D. in medieval history and, if possible, several years of postdoctoral research experience), excellent expertise in Latin philology, and relevant experience researching manuscript cultures of the European Middle Ages. The Senior Scientist position is based at the Institute for Austrian Historical Research and initially will involve independent work on cataloging Italy’s manuscript tradition from late antiquity to the High Middle Ages; a particular focus will be the composition and adoption of historical texts and narratives concerning the origins of social communities and their institutions across Italy’s various regions and cultural contexts. These written traditions are to be entered in a “stratigraphic” database as a panorama of possibilities, which will make it possible to trace these stories from their composition and arrangement in the manuscripts to their rewriting, adaptation, and transformation in later traditions and other contexts from the early to the High Middle Ages.

The successful candidate is expected to work with and experiment with new digital technologies—particularly machine learning tools—that go beyond current standards in the cataloging and research of manuscript traditions and their contexts, thereby helping to develop models for this approach that can also be applied to other research topics and questions. Successful candidates will therefore collaborate with colleagues from Ancient History, Byzantine Studies, Papyrology, Art History, etc., as well as with relevant institutes and projects at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Austrian Archaeological Institute, Institute for Medieval Research). They will establish the Institute for Austrian Historical Research as a central hub within these networks and position it within the international scholarly community.

The position is to be filled as of October 1, 2026, and is a fixed-term appointment until September 30, 2027, with the option of conversion to a permanent position.

Your future tasks:

In addition, your duties will involve contributing to research and teaching in the areas of Medieval History and the Auxiliary Historical Sciences; teaching courses independently in accordance with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement within the framework of the BA, LA (Lehramt), and MA programs in History at the University of Vienna, specifically the MA program in “Auxiliary Historical Sciences and Archival Science”; participating in university self-governance; and being willing to contribute to the editorial board of the “Mitteilungen des Instituts für Österreichische Geschichtsforschung” and its accompanying publication series.

This is part of your profile:

Research focus in the field of early medieval history and historical auxiliary sciences. Several years of relevant teaching experience are required. Additionally, candidates are expected to have familiarity with digital technologies (preferably prior experience) as well as the ability to independently design and implement externally funded projects that can contribute to the financing of the long-term project, its networking, and the further development of digital technologies and tools.

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Flexible working hours and the option to work from home are available in accordance with the University of Vienna’s current regulations.

Inspiring work environment: You will be part of an international team with excellent research infrastructure in a relaxed work environment.

Good public transportation access: Your new workplace is easily accessible by public transportation.

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

Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The base salary of EUR 5.014,30 (paid 14 times a year for Senior Scientists and Postdocs) increases if we can take your professional experience into account.

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

It is that easy to apply:

• Cover letter
• Academic CV, including a list of publications, proof of teaching experience, and a list of presentations given…
• Description of research interests and research plans
• Contact information for potential references via our job portal / “Apply Now” button