Job description:
The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking a/an
PhD Position in the Anthropology of the Art World
49 Faculty of Social Sciences Startdate: 01.02.2026 |
Working hours: 30 |
Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited until: 31.01.2029
Reference no.: 4942
Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where more than 7,500 academics thrive on curiosity in continuous exploration and help us better understand our world. Does this sound like you? Then join our accomplished team!
Your personal sphere of influence:
As a PhD student (university assistant or prae doc in the Austrian university system), you will work for the ERC project ‘The anthropology of the future: an art world perspective’ (ANTHROFUTURE) led by Prof. Manuela Ciotti (Principal investigator, PI). The project is based at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology.
As part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology not only brings together renowned scientists and students, but also different research areas, a variety of ethnographic methods, a large number of outstanding research projects and appreciative collegial exchange.
ANTHROFUTURE focuses on the art world as an interlocked digital and physical system as an ethnographic site. The project uses innovative multimodal methodologies to generate analytical and theoretical advancements on the future as a time-zone in its comparative and political dimensions across the regional contexts under analysis.
As part of the ANTHROFUTURE team, you will carry out an ethnography of the digital-physical art world infrastructure with a focus on art fairs. In particular, the candidate will conduct research online and in person at Art Basel (Basel, Hong Kong, Qatar) and Art Dubai among others.
More details on the project: https://www.anthrofuture.com.
The employment duration is 3 years (36 months). Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 3 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a declaration of non-extension. With appropriate work progress, an extension to a total maximum of 4 years is possible. Employment start date: 01.02.2026.
Your future tasks:
You take on tasks in research, teaching and administration to support the project ANTHROFUTURE and will be expected to:
- Finalize your dissertation agreement within 12 months
- Work on your dissertation and its completion within 3 years
- Carry out research in full compliance of ethics, data- and best-practice ERC research guidelines (you will receive support in doing that)
- Develop and deliver high-quality, innovative research outcomes on the topic of the research project
- Participate in conferences of appropriate learned societes and associations
- Produce research publications for leading international and/or peer reviewed journals and book chapters for ANTHROFUTURE
- Produce research dissemination materials for the project´s public facing website and social media
- Assist in exhibition projects (both physical and digital)
- Work with the project administrator to ensure that they have the information and materials they need to effect the smooth running of the case study and the wider ANTHROFUTURE project
- Work closely with the PI and the other members of the ANTHROFUTURE research team to assist in research and outcome delivery, and other tasks as agreed with the PI
- Travel, including international travel where necessary and appropriate
- You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
This is part of your personality:
Must-have´s:
- Completed (or near to completion) Master's degree or Diploma in the field of anthropology of art, economic anthropology, digital anthropology, anthropology of data, visual anthropology.
- Experience in academic writing and with multimodal research methods including digital media
- Excellent command of written and spoken English (C1 Level)
- You should be a teamplayer with high social skills to be able to sucessfully work and collaborate with the ANTHROFUTURE team
- Software proficiency: MS Office
What we offer:
Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible, family-friendly working hours with the option for hybrid work (partially in home office) 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 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.
Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3,714,80 (on a full-time basis) 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:
Submit the following documents in English:
- Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) that includes the names and contacts of two referees
- Your scientific curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
- Statement on your research interests (max. 1 page)
- Writing sample (an article or an chapter of your MA thesis)
- Master Degree / Diploma
- Interviews are scheduled to take place in mid-January 2026
- Via our job portal/ Apply now - button
If you have any questions, please contact:
Manuela Ciotti
manuela.ciotti@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 place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, 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.
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Application deadline: 12/21/2025
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