The University of Vienna is offering twenty 4-year postdoctoral positions for female researchers through the ESTEEM Programme, with opportunities in the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy. The positions are designed for independent, high-impact research and provide substantial intellectual freedom, close mentorship, and support for building a strong research profile. The Department of Geography and Regional Research, under the supervision of Prof. Ugur Ozturk and Prof. Kerstin Krellenberg, is seeking candidates interested in exploring how past disasters shape societies, with a focus on natural hazards, landslides, and flash floods. The research environment is highly collaborative, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to gender diversity and increasing the number of women in scientific roles. The Faculty covers a broad range of topics including Earth sciences, geography, astronomy, and the interaction between the environment and human societies. Postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to develop their own research agenda, participate in interdisciplinary projects, and receive guidance in applying for prestigious external research grants. The faculty hosts several international departments and provides access to advanced research infrastructure and support services. Applicants must be female postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a relevant field such as Earth Sciences, Geography, Astronomy, or related disciplines. Experience in research on natural hazards, disasters, or societal impacts is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong motivation, the ability to work independently, and a willingness to collaborate and apply for external funding. Proficiency in English is required. The application deadline is mid-March, and interested candidates should visit the ESTEEM Programme website to select their preferred faculty and department and follow the application instructions. This is an excellent opportunity for female researchers to advance their careers in a supportive and diverse academic environment, with mentorship from leading academics and the chance to contribute to impactful research on the interaction between natural disasters and societies.

The University of Vienna is launching the STRENGTH research platform, focusing on strengthening resilience and preparedness to prevent and react to emerging socio-natural hazards and risks. This initiative, aligned with the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, addresses the increasing challenges posed by climate change and rapidly changing environmental and societal systems. Communities and decision-makers often face new hazards and risks for which they are unprepared, making this research both timely and impactful. STRENGTH is led by a team of distinguished academics, including Prof. Thomas Glade, Prof. Sabine Pahl, Prof. Alexandra Brausmann, Prof. Krzysztof Janowicz, Dr. Renata Pacheco Quevedo, Dr. Philipp Marr, Dr. Ivan Majic, Dr. Nina Vaupotic, and Prof. Ugur Ozturk. The platform will fund four fully funded PhD positions in the following areas: PhD 1: Geomorphology & Hydrometeorology – EO-based assessment of emerging interconnected multi-hazard risks under climate change (Supervisors: Prof. Glade / Prof. Janowicz) PhD 2: Geoinformation / Data Science – AI methods for hazard and risk assessment to support decision-making (Supervisors: Prof. Janowicz / Prof. Pahl) PhD 3: Environmental Psychology – Socio-economic dynamics in disaster preparedness and response (Supervisors: Prof. Pahl / Prof. Brausmann) PhD 4: Environmental Economics – Disaster-mitigation policies and welfare impacts (Supervisors: Prof. Brausmann / Prof. Glade) Applicants should have a relevant master's degree, strong academic performance, and skills related to the specific research area. Proficiency in English is required. The positions are fully funded, with details available in the individual job posts. Application deadlines vary by position (late February to early March). Candidates must apply via the official application links; applications via email or messaging will not be considered. For further information, contact the lead supervisor listed in the job post. Research areas include socio-natural hazards, climate change, risk assessment, disaster preparedness, geoinformation, data science, environmental psychology, and economics. The University of Vienna offers a vibrant academic environment and the opportunity to contribute to impactful research addressing global challenges.