University Assistant postdoctoral

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where over 7,500 brilliant minds have found a unique balance of freedom and support. Join us if you’re passionate about groundbreaking international research and academic excellence. Ready to be part of our team? Let’s shape the future together!

Your personal sphere of play:

The Faculty of Psychology includes the Dean’s office, a StudyServiceCenter and four Departments (see https://univie.ac.at/psychologie). The courses offered in Psychology includes a bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies. Currently there are nearly 4000 students enrolled; which are taught and supervised by 220 teachers, within more than 250 courses per semester.

We are seeking candidates for a non-tenured postdoc position (“University Assistant”, approx. equivalent to Lecturer”, fixed term contract of 6 years, no tenure track option) at the Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology. The successful applicant will work in close collaboration with Prof. Claus Lamm (Chair of Biological Psychology, head of the SCAN-Unit) and his team at the Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit (SCAN-Unit). The SCAN-Unit investigates a broad range of topics in the field of Social Cognitive Neuroscience, with a focus on empathy, prosocial behaviour, and more recently also environmental social neuroscience,. We investigate these phenomena mainly in healthy neurotypical populations, but also incorporate clinical samples (autism, psychopathy, depression), and comparative aspects (social cognition across the lifespan, and in non-human animals) in our approach. Further information about current and past research of the lab can be found on our webpage https://scan-psy.univie.ac.at/research/

Your future tasks:

We are looking for a postdoc candidate who has attained a Ph.D. degree in (Experimental, Cognitive, or Biological) Psychology, Biology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, or a related field. In-depth experience in designing, running, analyzing, and publishing experimental studies on collaboration and cooperation using human behavioral and/or neuroscience methods is of central importance. Thematically, we are looking for candidates who will strengthen our profile in environmental social neuroscience and behavioral science, with preference given to candidates with a track record of exploiting embodied approaches in studying and fostering social and collective cooperation and collaboration, in social dilemma scenarios. Candidates thus need a strong background in experimental psychology and social cognitive neuroscience, with a thematic focus and extensive knowledge (acquired during the Ph.D. or first postdoc, and documented by ongoing projects or publications) on topics related to how cooperation and collaboration frameworks can be used to better understand pro-social and ultimately also pro-environmental decision making and behavior. Successful candidates document their research skills with an excellent PhD and by high-level peer-reviewed publications. These publications should also document their capability to work in interdisciplinary teams (e.g., forging bonds between social neuroscientists and social-experimental psychological scientists or social decision-making researchers).
Excellent oral and written English language skills are required. The working language of the lab is English. An autonomous work style and genuine curiosity are both required and supported. The position also involves teaching obligations (maximum 4 semester-hours (i.e., 3 in class presence hours) /week, seminars aligned with own research and methods skills at Bachelor and Master’s level). Previous teaching experience is a plus, but not mandatory. All applications shall include
i) letter of motivation (1000 words max.) ii) CV including full academic record and iii) full list of publications (including a brief summary statement of how the top 3 publications relate to the position and what makes them outstanding). In the letter, please sketch a five-year research program that you would pursue if hired and how your profile and this program align with the requirements of the position.

This is part of your personality: 

•    Ability to work under pressure
•    Problem solving skills
•    Excellent communication skills
•    Ability to work in a team
•    Didactic qualification

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work (upon agreement).

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.

Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 4,752,30 (14 times a 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:

• With your scientific curriculum vitae / letter of intent
• With your list of publications
• With your summary of research interests (max. 1 p.)
• Doctoral Degree 
• Contact details of persons who could provide reference letters
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button