University Assistant in Political Science – University of Vienna | Program

Predoctoral Opportunity: University Assistant in Political Science – University of Vienna

Institution: University of Vienna
Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
Department: Department of Political Science
Research Area: Comparative Policy Analysis
Research Group: Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS)
Position: University Assistant (Predoctoral)
Job ID: 6327
Working Hours: 30 hours per week
Classification: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (Praedoc)
Appointment Type: Fixed-Term Research Leave Replacement
Contract Period: December 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Location: Vienna, Austria
Salary Basis: EUR 3,776.10 per month on a full-time basis, approximately INR 4.00 lakh per month on a full-time basis
Application Deadline: October 28, 2026

Overview of the Opportunity

The University of Vienna invites applications for a University Assistant (Predoctoral) position at the Department of Political Science within the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The position is based in the research area of Comparative Policy Analysis and will contribute to the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS), led by Professor Barbara Prainsack.

CeSCoS examines how solidarity influences social justice, institutional design, and policy interventions using theoretically grounded and qualitative research approaches.

This appointment is a temporary research leave replacement and is available for the duration and extent of the current position holder’s absence.

Research Focus

The successful candidate will contribute to research in areas including:

Comparative Policy Analysis
Solidarity
Social Justice
Institutional Design
Policy Interventions
Governance
Qualitative Social Science Research
Political Science
Public Institutions

The candidate should be willing to align an existing or emerging doctoral project with comparative policy analysis and practices of solidarity.

Key Responsibilities

The selected candidate will participate in research and administration within Comparative Policy Analysis and CeSCoS.

Responsibilities include:

Supporting research projects.
Assisting with grant applications.
Contributing to academic publications.
Participating in research articles and presentations.
Supporting the organisation of seminars.
Helping organise academic meetings.
Participating in conferences and symposia.
Supporting collaborative academic events.
Participating in department administration.
Contributing to teaching administration.
Contributing to research administration.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

A Master’s degree or equivalent in Political Science, or
A Master’s degree in a related social-science discipline relevant to Comparative Policy Analysis.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

Willingness to align doctoral research with comparative policy analysis and solidarity.
Good knowledge of qualitative research methods.
Basic knowledge of quantitative methods.
Didactic competence.
Excellent command of English.
IT user skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

The following will be considered advantageous:

Experience with text coding.
Familiarity with AI tools for research.
Knowledge of academic scholarship on solidarity.
Experience with e-learning.
Knowledge of university processes and organisational structures.
International experience.
Experience working in diplomacy.
Experience in public institutions.
Experience in international organisations.
Basic academic research experience.
Knowledge of additional languages.

Doctoral Research

Applicants should be prepared to develop or align a doctoral project with the research environment of the position.

The doctoral project should focus on areas related to:

Comparative Policy Analysis
Practices of Solidarity
Policy and Institutional Design
Social Justice
Related Political Science themes

A 3–4 page doctoral project proposal must be included in the application.

Salary & Working Conditions

The University lists the basic salary as:

EUR 3,776.10 per month on a full-time basis

Approximately:

INR 4.00 lakh per month on a full-time basis

Professional experience may increase the applicable salary.

Important: This vacancy is for 30 hours per week, while the published EUR 3,776.10 amount is explicitly stated as the full-time salary basis. The source does not specify the exact gross monthly compensation payable for the 30-hour appointment.

The University also offers:

Flexible working hours
Partial remote-working opportunities
International academic work environment
Good public-transport accessibility
Internal training and coaching
Access to more than 600 professional-development courses

Application Checklist

Applicants must submit:

Letter of Motivation
- In English
Scientific Curriculum Vitae
- In German or English
- Including publication list
Short Doctoral Project Proposal
- 3–4 pages
- German or English
Two Selected Writing Samples
- One must be the applicant’s Master’s thesis
Contact Details of 2 Referees
Academic Certificates

Applications must be submitted through the University of Vienna careers portal.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: October 28, 2026
Position Start Date: December 1, 2026
Contract End Date: February 28, 2027
Working Hours: 30 hours per week

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the University of Vienna online recruitment portal.

Job ID: 6327

Official Vacancy:
https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job/University-assistant-%28predoctoral%29-at-the-Department-of-Political-Science/1448826133/

For content-related questions:

Marlene Auer
Email: marlene.auer@univie.ac.at

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University Assistant in Political Science – University of Vienna