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University of Vienna
3 days ago
Predoctoral University Assistant in Democratic Resilience and Democratic Regression University of Vienna in Austria
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Political Science
Funding
The position is a salaried, limited-term university assistant appointment. The basic salary is EUR 3,836.10 on a full-time basis, increasing if professional experience is credited. The listed workload is 30 hours per week. The employment is initially limited to 1.5 years and may be automatically extended to a total of four years, unless the employer submits a non-renewal declaration after a maximum of 12 months.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
Austria
University
University of Vienna
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About this position
The University of Vienna is seeking a predoctoral university assistant for the Department of Political Science, within the research area Transformations of Democracy. The successful candidate will develop and complete a political science dissertation supervised by Associate Professor Fabio Wolkenstein.
The research focuses particularly on democratic resilience and democratic regression. Possible topics include the institutional, party-political, and ideological conditions that support democratic resilience, as well as processes that erode democratic procedures and norms. The dissertation may be theoretical or conceptual, or may take an interdisciplinary approach, but it should have a strong theoretical foundation.
The regional scope is open and may include Austria, other countries and regions, and different levels of analysis from global and regional to national and sub-national. The doctoral researcher will contribute to democracy-research projects and academic studies, publications, conference presentations, project applications, and third-party funding activities.
Beyond dissertation research, the role includes participation in teaching and departmental administration. The assistant will independently hold courses within the applicable collective bargaining provisions, supervise students, and support teaching and research administration. The research area is part of an international department addressing governance, statehood, democracy, and related political-science questions, with access to research infrastructure and opportunities for professional development.
The opening offers a salaried predoctoral research environment at the University of Vienna in Austria, with the dissertation supervised by Fabio Wolkenstein.
Funding details
The position is a salaried, limited-term university assistant appointment. The basic salary is EUR 3,836.10 on a full-time basis, increasing if professional experience is credited. The listed workload is 30 hours per week. The employment is initially limited to 1.5 years and may be automatically extended to a total of four years, unless the employer submits a non-renewal declaration after a maximum of 12 months.
What's required
Applicants must hold a completed Master's or Diploma degree in political science or a related field, ideally specializing in democratic theory, democracy research, or political theory/philosophy. Required qualifications include expertise in democracy research, a strong theoretical interest and foundation, proven academic writing experience, IT user skills, excellent written and spoken English at C1 level, and a further foreign language at C1 level if relevant to the dissertation topic. Applicants should be team players with strong social and communication skills. Desirable qualifications include qualitative or quantitative research-methods experience, teaching or e-learning experience, experience abroad, and knowledge of university procedures and structures.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Vienna job portal using the “Apply now” button. Submit a motivation letter, academic CV with publications if applicable, a dissertation proposal with abstract and references, proof of a completed Master's or Diploma degree, and contact details for one referee.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.