Predoctoral Project Researchers

The University of Vienna is a community of over 10,000 individuals, including approximately 7,500 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking two

Predoctoral Project Researchers

49 Faculty of Social Sciences

Job vacancy starting: 01/01/2025 | Working hours: 30,00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)

Limited contract until: 12/31/2028

Job ID: 2905

We are hiring two predoctoral project researchers to work for the DFG- and FWF-funded Research Unit 5656 "Communicative AI: The Automation of Societal Communication", in particular for Project 7 Personal Sphere: Companionship and Communicative AI (principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Michaela Pfadenhauer). The Research Unit investigates how societal communication changes with communicative AI. The focus of the first funding period (2025 - 2028) is on the emergence and constructions of communicative AI. Research will focus on the pioneer communities of communicative AI, their interfaces, the legal handling of AI, and its governance by corporations, as well as the appropriation of communicative AI in journalism, public (online) discourse, personal life, health, and in learning and teaching. Our research uses highly innovative methods from the social sciences and HCI, including digital and computer-aided methods. For more information on the Research Unit and various opportunities for doctoral researchers, please visit the website: https://www.comai.space.

Project 7 Personal Sphere: Companionship and Communicative AI is located at the Department of Sociology at the University of Vienna. The project investigates the emergence of artificial companionship apps in the personal sphere. Since these apps draw on professional expertise in the counselling field, we examine this kind of "artificial companionship" with regard to already existing companionship services (grief and day-to-day life management).

As predoctoral project researchers you will complement Prof. Michaela Pfadenhauer's research team. We value open, respectful communication and a collaborative team spirit which puts academic co-writing center-stage.

In the research project Personal Sphere: Companionship and Communicative AI we investigate the emergence and spread of companionship apps in the personal sphere and analyze this "artificial companionship" with regard to already existing companionship services (grief and day-to-day life management). Your tasks will be to combine a sociology-of-knowledge-based approach to discourse and genre analysis with the exploration of agency in the companion relation through (digital) ethnography.

You actively participate in empirical research, which means:

• You collect, analyze and compare qualitative data on (grief and day-to-day life companionship) on-site with artificial companionship provided by apps
• You contribute to the analysis of international discourse on companionship and its spread within society
• You assist in data management and documentation and contribute to the development of the Research Unit's "ComAI Research Space"
• You proactively write and co-write project-related publications and participate in events and networking activities

We offer the opportunity to pursue a PhD. We expect you to write your dissertation in the thematic field of the research project and finish your dissertation within 2028.

• Very good Master's degree or equivalent in the social sciences or related disciplines

• Strong knowledge of sociology, interaction(ism), discursive construction of reality and app technologies

• Experience with / strong knowledge of interpretive social research methods, in particular of genre and discourse analysis and ethnography

• Excellent command of written and spoken English and German

• Excellent communication skills and readiness to collaborate with the project team and the research unit

• Knowledge of the current state of communicative AI development

• Knowledge of grief and day-to-day life management and artificial companionship in the US, UK and Germany

• Experience with interpretive and comparative analysis

• Experience with empirical research through digital and focused ethnography

• Interest in the methods of Computational Social Sciences

Duration of contract: The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely.

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Good public transport connections: Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & Coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge.

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3578,80 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

• With your scientific curriculum vitae and letter of intent

• With your Master Degree / Diploma

• Via our job portal: Apply now button

Miriam Aistleitner

miriam.aistleitner@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.

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​Application deadline: 9/27/2024