University Assistant (prae doc) at the Department of East Asian Studies

The University of Vienna (20 faculties and centres, 178 fields of study, approx. 9.800 members of staff, about 90.000 students) seeks to fill the position from 01.02.2021 of a


Reference number: 11592

The Department of East Asian Studies/Sinology seeks to appoint a Prae-Doc position in the contemporary performance cultures of China and the Chinese speaking-world of the duration of 4 years. The successful candidate will be expected to take up appointment on 1 February 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position is suitable for a doctoral (PhD) candidate who is planning to write a dissertation on the performing arts in China in the postsocialist era and, particularly, since the twenty-first century. The dissertation will address recent theatre, dance, and performance practices and new developments in directing and dramaturgy with a focus on gender and sexuality, queer and feminist approaches to playwriting and performance-making, performance and activism, transnational feminism, gender politics, non-normative identities, and related topics.
Applicants will hold a degree in Chinese/Asian Studies, Theatre Studies, or related disciplines at Master’s level (or equivalent), will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Chinese, and will be able to conduct independent research and fieldwork in China and other Chinese-speaking regions, depending on the specific focus of the proposed project.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate in international conferences and workshops, produce high-quality publications and relevant scholarly outputs both autonomously and as part of a team, and contribute actively to the academic life of the department. They will also be expected to share administrative duties, as appropriate, and teach courses in the “Literature and Culture” and “History and Society” strands of the Sinology curriculum.




Duration of employment: 4 year/s

Extent of Employment: 30.0 hours/week
Job grading in accordance with collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) with relevant work experience determining the assignment to a particular salary grade.

Job Description:
- Complete a doctoral dissertation on the performing artis in China since the twenty-first century
- We expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within 12-18 months
- Participate in international conferences and workshops
- Assist the organization of seminars, workshops and symposia, and other activities (e.g. guest artist residencies; performances)
- Collaborate with department members and research associates in producing high-level publications and scholarly outputs
- Contribute to fostering scholarly exchange between the University of Vienna and researchers and research institutions in China and the Chinese-speaking world
- Teach individual courses and contribute to team-taught courses as defined by the collective agreement
- Participate in evaluation activities
- Supervise students at the appropriate level
- Involvement in the department administration as well as in teaching and research administration

Profile:
- Completed Master´s degree (or equivalent) in Chinese Studies, Theatre Studies or a related discipline with a focus on China and the Chinese-speaking world
- Strong disciplinary foundation in contemporary Chinese Studies
- Competence in theatre and performance research
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Proven ability to communicate in Chinese orally and in writing at advanced (native or near-native) level
- Ability to carry out fieldwork in China and to conduct interviews in Chinese in a performing arts-related environment
- Proven professional knowledge of or direct involvement with the Chinese performing arts scene (e.g. practitioners, companies, venues, festivals, research institutions) as either a researcher, a practitioner, or both
- IT user skills
- Basic experience in research methods and academic writing
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Strong motivation to write a doctoral dissertation

Desirable qualifications are
- Basic German-language competence
- Publications in the proposed field of research
- International experience
- Basic administrative experience
- Teaching experience, including e-learning
- Knowledge of university processes and structures
- Basic experience in research methods and academic writing


Application documents

- Letter of Motivation
- Research proposal of 1500-2000 words (excluding bibliography) outlining the focus, methods, and key sources of the prospective PhD dissertation. The proposal should be written in English and show evidence of engagement of Chinese-language materials. It should include an assessment of the state of the field (e.g. literature review) and of the originality of the proposed project, as well as a preliminary bibliography.
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications (if available)
- Degree transcripts (preferred) or certificates
- Contact details of two referees
- If available: copies of publications, copy of Master´s thesis with evaluations, proof of language proficiency, evidence of teaching experience, other relevant academic and professional qualifications


Research fields:

Main research field	Special research fields	Importance
Other Humanities	Cultural history;Cultural studies	CAN
Linguistics and Literature	Sinology	MUST

Education:

Educational institution	Educational level	Special subject	Importance
University	Humanities	-	MUST

Languages:

Language	Language level	Importance
Chinese	Excellent knowledge	MUST
English	Excellent knowledge	MUST

Computer-Skills:

Type of computer skills	Specified computer skills	Importance
Basic Knowledge	Internet knowledge	MUST
Basic Knowledge	MS Office	MUST

Applications including a letter of motivation (German or English) should be submitted via the Job Center to the University of Vienna ( http://jobcenter.univie.ac.at) no later than 16.12.2020, mentioning reference number 11592.

For further information please contact Kraxner, Katinka +43-1-4277-43840.

The University pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity ( http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants.

Human Resources and Gender Equality of the University of Vienna
Reference number: 11592
E-Mail: jobcenter@univie.ac.at
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