University Assistant (Post-Doc) in Science and Technology Studies

University Assistant (Post-Doc) in Science and Technology Studies

49 Faculty of Social Sciences
Startdate: 01.02.2027 | Working hours: 40 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)
Limited until: 31.01.2033
Reference no.: 6314

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS). Your tasks will include planning and carrying out a personal research programme, collaborating on joint research projects, teaching, and actively participating in department activities. Your research should fall under the theme of Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures. We are particularly seeking candidates with interests in discussing and realising reflexive, caring, and just modes of academic work, and who are committed to developing supportive and collaborative research cultures.

The position is for 40 hours a week for a period of six years. The anticipated start date is February 2027.

Your personal sphere of influence:

Within the Department of Science and Technology Studies, you will join the group of University Professor Sarah R Davies, which focuses on Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures, and which studies the digital as material practice in diverse contexts in which technoscience is created or negotiated. Your planned research should fall under this theme.

The Department of Science and Technology Studies is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Science and Technology Studies is a social science field with a strong interdisciplinary orientation that analyses the interactions of science, technology, and society. The department offers the English language master program 'Science, Technology, Society', as well as a number of course formats for other programs.

Your future tasks:

The successful candidate will combine a personal research programme with integration into the group and department, and will contribute to nurturing the intellectual and interpersonal cultures of these. You will:

• Carry out both independent and collaborative research in Science and Technology Studies relating to technosciences, materiality, and digital cultures;
• Publish research results in recognised international journals and/or book publishers;
• Apply for research funding at funding agencies with a competitive and internationally oriented review system;
• Conduct independent teaching of courses in Science and Technology Studies at the bachelor and master level;
• Supervise (or co-supervise) students at master level;
• Contribute to the administration and management of the research group and department.

This is part of your personality:

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following:

• Completed PhD (by the time the position begins) in Science and Technology Studies;
• Broad knowledge of the topics, theories, and methods of Science and Technology Studies;
• Distinct research profile in the areas mentioned above, expressed in international publications and in a coherent research plan;
• Teaching experience: the candidate should be able to offer thematically focused research seminars as well as introductory STS courses with a broader thematic spectrum, both at bachelor and master level;
• Excellent proficiency in English; profiency in German is an advantage.

The ideal candidate will additionally be able to demonstrate the ability to work in a team, good organisational skills, high reliability, and a commitment to developing reflexive and caring research cultures. Experience in (co-)supervising student theses is also an advantage.

What we offer:

• A lively, active, and internationally oriented STS environment;
• Mentorship and a commitment to supportive supervision that helps you realise your research, including the possibility to work towards a Habilitation during your 6 year employment period;
• Team culture with regular opportunities to exchange and socialise;
• Emphasis on work-life balance and on healthy research culture;
• Opportunities for internal training and coaching as well as enhancement of personal skills from the University of Vienna.
• Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic gross salary of EUR 5.079,50 (14 times a year) increases if we can credit professional experience.
• The employment duration is six years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to six years if the employer does not terminate it within the first twelve months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

It is that easy to apply -

please submit:

• A letter of motivation that outlines how you meet the criteria and how you would imagine integrating into the Department of Science and Technology Studies and Prof. Davies’ group;
• A Curriculum Vitae that includes a full list of publications;
• A teaching statement, including a syllabus of one or two courses the candidate has taught;
• Two selected papers – or sections of larger publications – as evidence of writing skills;
• A 3-5 page research statement (references not included in page count), including a plan for the course of the 6 year position (this may include plans for a programme of research, applications for research funding, and publications);
• The names and contact details of two referees.

All documents should be submitted in a single PDF file. Applications must be submitted in English.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Sarah Davies
sarah.davies@univie.ac.at

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.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

Application deadline: 11/08/2026