Predoctoral university assistant (Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy)

There are many good reasons to want to research and teach at the University of Vienna. And one reason why around 7,500 academic staff members have chosen this university before you. They see themselves as individuals who need space for their curiosity and their continuous aspirations to be scientifically successful. Do you need that too? Welcome to our team!

Your future position is located at the Department of Geography and Regional Research (Institut für Geographie und Regionalforschung / IfGR), which is part of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography, and Astronomy. Over 100 academic staff members and more than 3000 students at IfGR appreciate the diversity of topics in both Human and Physical Geography. The interdisciplinary foundation in the social and natural sciences creates a dynamic and inspiring environment to address the pressing societal challenges of our generation. IfGR conducts outstanding research and is characterized by its internationality.
 

Your personal topics and interests:

Within the IfGR, your future position is assigned to the working group for spatial research and spatial planning under Univ.-Prof. Dr. Meike Levin-Keitel. The group engages in both traditional research in planning sciences and transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research approaches in socio-ecological research. Furthermore, we are particularly committed to the fundamental examination of spatial planning as a science and its scientific advancement.

As a predoctoral university assistant, you will complement the research team focusing on spatial planning, especially planning theories. You will represent this field of study in teaching and research, and be able to set your own focus regarding your planned dissertation.

This position is temporarily vacant due to the absence of an employee.

Your future tasks:

You will actively participate in research, teaching, and administration, which means:

• You will contribute to research projects and scientific studies in the field of spatial planning and empirical social research.
• You will work on your dissertation and its completion.
• You become an active member of the doctoral school "Vienna International School of Earth and Space Sciences" (VIESESS).
• You will independently conduct teaching activities within the scope of the collective agreement regulations. Topics include, for instance, conflicting interests in space as well as innovation and technology for collective spatial action.
• You will take on administrative tasks in research and teaching.

This is part of your personal orientation:

• Completed master's or diploma degree in one of the fields of spatial planning, geography, environmental sciences, architecture, related interdisciplinary studies, or similar planning-oriented disciplines.
• Proven initial experience in academic writing and familiarity with research methods (interest in both qualitative and quantitative methods).
• Didactic skills and teaching experience are advantageous.
• Desirable are knowledge in international discourses of spatial planning as well as fundamentals of planning in the German-speaking region, and knowledge of planning theoretical approaches and debates, along with in-depth understanding of a planning-related subfield (such as transformative planning, regional planning, conflicting interests in space or similar, proven by references).
• Excellent proficiency in both English and German (C1 level).
• You are a team player with high social and communicative competence.

What we offer:

This is a substitute position for a colleague on leave of absence.

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible, family-friendly working hours and can partly work from home (from a domicile within Austria) upon agreement.
Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international 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: On an ongoing basis we offer the opportunity to deepen your skills. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge.
Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3.714,80 (on a full-time basis / 14x per year / amount for 2025) increases if we can credit professional experience.
Equal opportunities for everyone: We look forward to every additional personality in the team!

It is that easy to apply:

• Letter of motivation
• Scientific curriculum vitae
• Summary of your research interests and your dissertation concept (max. 2 pages)
• Master/Diploma degree certificate
• Further certificates like didactic courses or similar (if available)
• Via our job portal / Apply now - Button