University Assistant Predoc at the Department of Communication

At the University of Vienna, over 10,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,500 of them are academic staff members. These are individuals who, with their curiosity and their continuous pursuit of excellence, engage in international cutting-edge research and teaching. With us, you will also find space to unfold your potential. We are looking for an ...

University Assistant Predoc at the Department of Communication

49 Faculty of Social Sciences

Job vacancy starting: 12/01/2024 | Working hours: 30,00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)

Limited contract until: 11/30/2027

Job ID: 2739

Among the many good reasons to want to research and teach at the University of Vienna, there is one in particular, which has convinced around 7,500 academic staff members so far. They see themselves as personalities who need space for continuous striving for top international research and scientific excellence. At the same time they enjoy support and liberties that are not a given at other institutions.

The Department of Communication, a subunit of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Vienna is one of the largest and strongest research-oriented departments for communication science worldwide. The predoctoral position is situated within the Entertainment Research Group, led by Ass.-Prof. Dr. Kathrin Karsay.

Within the predoc position, you will be part of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF)-funded research project titled "AWARE: Mental Health Portrayals on Social Media and Implications on Adolescents’ Awareness and Well-being". Project AWARE is a joint project co-coordinated by Prof. Dr. Kathrin Karsay at University of Vienna in Austria, Dr. Anne-Linda Camerini at USI in Switzerland, and Prof. Dr. Ruth Wendt at LMU Munich in Germany. Three Ph.D. researchers (one at each university) will collaboratively work on the project that foresees data collections in Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, and Germany.

You will work under the scientific supervision of Ass.-Prof. Dr. Kathrin Karsay, co-supervised by Dr. Anne-Linda Camerini. In addition, your dissertation project will be integrated into the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences (ViDSS) and its structured doctoral program. The ViDSS promotes innovative, excellent, problem-oriented research that contributes to initiating social debates and tackling major global challenges. The cohorts trained and supported by ViDSS are part of a vibrant research environment and international networks.

The position is advertised to the extent of 30 hours/week (75%) for a period of three years (36 months), with the position to be filled by December 1, 2024.

Mental health is a prevalent topic on social media. While it raises awareness and promotes help-seeking behaviors, it can also lead to overinterpretation and self-diagnosis. To date, little is known about how and by whom mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are portrayed on social media and which implications the portrayal has on the perceptions, beliefs, and well-being of adolescent users. Project AWARE has four research objectives:

1. Investigating how adolescents perceive mental health, particularly depression and anxiety, in their daily lives (including social media).
2. Analyzing the portrayal of depression and anxiety on social media.
3. Examining the reciprocal relationships between exposure to these portrayals and adolescents’ perceptions, beliefs, and subjective well-being.
4. Investigating the influence of algorithm literacy, parental mediation, and perceived peer norms on these relationships.

The project uses a mixed-methods approach, including a focus group study, a content analysis of social media posts, a validation study adapting a previously developed Social Media Algorithm Literacy Scale, and a three-wave longitudinal school survey. The research will focus on adolescents aged 12 to 19 as social media use intensifies and peaks during this life stage.

You are part of the AWARE project, which means:

• You actively collaborate in the area of empirical content, reception and effects research, especially in the area of mental health portrayals on social media.
• You publish your research in international highly-ranked journals.
• You present your research at national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia.
• You actively engage in applying for third-party funded projects.
• The signing of a doctoral thesis agreement within 12-18 months of employment is expected.

• You have obtained a completed MA / Magister degree in Communication Science or a related discipline.
• You have in-depth knowledge of methods of empirical social research, especially quantitative methods and statistical data analysis.
• Ideally, you have interest in or knowlege of methods in Computational Science (especially automated content analysis).
• You are interested in an international research orientation.
• Excellent computer literacy
• Good command of written and spoken German and English
• Ability to work in a team
• Good time management skills
• Reliability

Work-life balance
We offer the opportunity to work remotely upon agreement.

Inspiring working atmosphere
An internationally-oriented team and department with outstanding research infrastructure and comfortable working environment.

Appreciative team culture
As a team, we place particular value on a culture of appreciation and mutual support. We believe that treating each other with respect and recognizing each other's individual strengths is the key to success. As a team, we regularly meet for exchange during team meetings and a range of team activities.

Excellent public transport connections
We offer an attractive workplace in the heart of Vienna, easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & coaching
The University of Vienna offers a wide range of opportunities for internal training as well as enhancement of personal skills.

Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic monthly gross salary for this advertised position currently (2024) is € 3.578,80 (based on full time employment) and will be paid 14 times a year for a period of three years (i.e., the duration of the contract). The basic salary increases if we can credit prior professional experience.

• With your letter of intent
• With your scientific curriculum vitae
• With your list of publications and a list of your presentations (if applicable)
• With the PDF of your MA or Magister thesis
• With your transcript of records
• Via our job portal / Apply now – button

Kathrin Karsay

kathrin.karsay@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 lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

Data protection
​Application deadline: 09/30/2024