University Assistant (prae-doc) in Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures

Universität Wien

Job description:

At the University of Vienna almost 11,000 personalities work together towards answering the big questions of the future. Around 3,000 of them work in administration and organisation, around 7,700 do research and teaching. We are currently seeking a/an

University Assistant (prae-doc) in Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures

Your personal sphere of influence:

The prae-doc will join the group of University Professor Sarah R Davies, which focuses on Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures and which studies the digital as material practice in contexts in which technoscience is created or negogiated. Your planned research should fall under this theme. 
The Department of Science and Technology Studies is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Science and Technology Studies is a social science field with a strong interdisciplinary orientation that analyses the interactions of science, technology, and society. The department offers the English language master program 'Science, Technology, Society', as well as a number of course formats for other programs.
The position is advertised to the extent of 30 hours/week (75%) for a period of four years. The anticipated start date is in October 2026.

Your future tasks:

The successful candidate will work on a PhD dissertation, participate in research activities of the group and department, and contribute to the organisation of the department and its teaching. You will:

• Design and carry out your PhD research;
• Collaborate with colleagues and participate in department seminars and research activities;
• Present your research at national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia;
• Teach courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement;
• Contribute to the organisation of department activities and processes.

This is part of your personality:

• You have a university degree (Master or equivalent) in Science and Technology Studies (STS) or in another field, if the applicant can provide evidence of significant prior experience in Science and Technology Studies;
• You have knowledge of the theories and methods of STS;
• You can demonstrate the ability to successfully plan, conduct, and write up research;
• You are motivated to contribute to innovative interdisciplinary teaching;
• You have excellent proficiency in English. Proficiency in German (or readiness to acquire it) is an advantage;
• You are interested in team work and collective research activities;
• You have excellent organisational skills and the capacity to make long-term plans;
• You are reliable and well organised.

What we offer:

• A lively, active, and internationally oriented STS environment;
• Mentorship and a commitment to supportive supervision that helps you realise your research;
• Team culture with regular opportunities to exchange and socialise;
• Emphasis on work-life balance and on healthy research culture;
• Support and training through participation in the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences;
• Opportunities for internal training and coaching as well as enhancement of personal skills from the University of Vienna;
• The basic monthly gross salary for this advertised position currently (2025) is € 3.714,80 (full time) and will be paid 14 times a year for a period of four years (i.e., the duration of the contract). The basic salary increases if we can credit prior professional experience;
• Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment is automatically extended to four years if the employer does not terminate it within the first twelve months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

It is that easy to apply:

• Curriculum Vitae; 
• Letter of motivation specifying your capacities in the above mentioned areas of work;
• Transcripts of prior academic studies; 
• A 3-5 page outline of your proposed PhD project in Science and Technology Studies on a topic relating to Technosciences, Materiality, and Digital Cultures;
• A list of five key references that you think should be covered in an introductory course to Science and Technology Studies at a bachelor level, including a brief (two sentence) justification per reference;
• Names and contact details of two referees.

If you have any content questions, please contact:

Sarah Davies

sarah.davies@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.

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Application deadline: 01/25/2026 

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