Senior Scientist in the Environmental Politics Research Group at the University of Vienna

At the University of Vienna more than 10,000 personalities work together towards answering the big questions of the future. Around 7,500 of them do research and teaching, around 2,900 work in administration and organisation. We are looking for a/an

Senior Scientist in the Environmental Politics Research Group at the University of Vienna

49 Faculty of Social Sciences

Job vacancy starting: 02/01/2025 | Working hours: 40,00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)

Limited contract until: 11/30/2030

Job ID: 3129

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where over 7,500 brilliant minds have found a unique balance of freedom and support. Join us if you’re passionate about groundbreaking international research and academic excellence. Ready to be part of our team? Let’s shape the future together!

Your future position is at the Department of Political Science in the research area of Environmental Politics. The Department of Political Science researches and teaches in all core areas of political science, develops innovative and problem-oriented research foci, and offers a wide range of options for specialization for students. The department's staff investigates the changing forms and functions of governance, the state, and democracy in different political fields, geographic regions, and political spaces.

In the research area of Environmental Politics, a team of renowned and award-winning academic staff at one of the most advanced departments for political science in the German-speaking world awaits you. The department offers you outstanding research projects, interdisciplinary cooperation, collegial exchange and exchange with a young generation of students.

The position is to be filled from 1 December 2024 and is limited to 6 years. In the event of further funding, the position can be extended or made permanent by mutual agreement.

The primary area of responsibility is the establishment and management of the Environmental Politics Research Group (EPRG), a long-term research infrastructure led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alice Vadrot. The tasks include research support (covering the entire research life cycle from design, data collection, analysis, data curation and management, interpretation, and writing), funding acquisition, public outreach and organizational activities.

Expected:

• Active participation in research and administration of the research group’s future and ongoing projects such as TwinPolitics, Marco-Bolo and IPBES Austria

• Project applications and acquisition of third-party funding at national and EU level

• Design and organisation of events (lecture series) and international conferences

• Establishment and expansion of an independent research profile reflecting the main objectives of the EPRG

• International publications and lectures

• Independent teaching of courses to the extent of the collective agreement provisions (four, max. six semester hours per week)

• Participation in the development and design of objectives and milestones of the group and participation in evaluation measures and quality assurance of those. Participation in research group administration (related to research, teaching and public outreach).

• Contributing to the networking of the Environmental Politics Research Group with relevant national and international research institutions in the field of environment, biodiversity and the oceans, as well as exchange with the public sector and broader society.

• Developing and maintaining project related databases, as well as data management and curation.

• PhD in political sciences and/or international relations or environmental studies, or a related field of study with a political science profile or an international relations profile or an environmental studies profile
• Post-doctoral research experience
• Excellent knowledge in the fields of international politics with a focus on environmental politics and one of the following areas: ocean protection and governance, biodiversity policies and politics, nature conservation and sustainable use.
• Interest in research related to: global environmental agreement-making, multilateral negotiations, science-policy interfaces, data politics.
• Excellent knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative methods of empirical social science research.
• Proven ability to publish in renowned international peer-reviewed journals
• High level of written and oral expression.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, willingness to learn German. Proven capacity for teamwork
• Desired skills: Cooperative, team oriented, reliable, and responsible

Also expected:

• Interest in a career in research administration, and interest in contributing to the establishment and organization of an interdisciplinary research group and network.

• Experience in the acquisition of external funding

• Experienced in planning and organizing events (e.g., workshops, conferences)

• Experience in participating in research projects

• Experience with international lecturing

• Teaching experience in political science, international politics or relevant environmental studies

Desirable:

• Knowledge of University processes and structures

• Computational skills (R, Python, Atlas.ti, Zotero,...)

• Experience in interdisciplinary research

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours with the possibility to work 50% of the work time remotely (upon agreement). The place of employment is Vienna.

Fair salary: According to the collective bargaining agreement, the gross monthly salary is EUR 4.752,30 per month (§48 VwGr. B1 lit. b[postdoc]). The salary is paid 14 times per year.

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are part of an international team with excellent research infrastructure in a relaxed working environment.

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

Internal further training & coaching: We provide opportunities to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis.

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

• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• Curriculum vitae

• Confirmation of your completed PhD studies

• Two writing samples of an independent scientific work (e.g., a scientific article)

• Contact details of at least two persons who would provide a reference if needed (e.g., PhD thesis supervisor)

• Via our job portal/ Apply now - button

Alice Vadrot

alice.vadrot@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: 12/10/2024