Jobs bei

Jobs bei

Praedoc (Diss) (f/m/x) - FWF Project "Politics of Truth"

The Institute of Culture Studies (IKW) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), Austria’s largest non-university institution for basic research, is offering a position as

Praedoc (f/m/x)

(20 hours per week, 50 %)

for a period of 36 months, starting  February 1, 2027 (no later than March 1, 2027)

 

The position is part of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) project “Politics of Truth (POLTRUTH): Rethinking Truth in a ‘Post-Truth’ World” led by PD Dr Gerald Posselt. Against the backdrop of the global rise of authoritarian populism and the ubiquity of lies and fake news in the public sphere, the project investigates the complex relationship between truth and politics from both a historical and systematic perspective. It is based on the premise that social crises and conflicts affect not only the political sphere but also a society’s regime of truth, calling into question previously self-evident norms, practices, and institutions. The project aims to develop a political theory of truth that accounts for our contemporary condition and sheds new light on historical events and phenomena such as the Atlantic Revolutions, Marxism, or fascism. This comprises four work packages: 1. the analysis of the relationship between truth and politics in political philosophy and theory; 2. four exemplary case studies on the politics of truth in Athenian democracy, the American and French Revolutions, Marxism, and fascism; 3. the genealogical reconstruction of the crisis of the current regime of truth; 4. the development of a political theory of truth drawing on Foucault’s discourse analysis, ideology critique, hegemony theory, deliberative theory and political epistemology. 

The successful candidate is expected to conduct two of the ‘modern’ case studies and to contribute to the other work packages, in line with their research interests and their PhD project within the thematic scope of POLTRUTH.

Your Tasks

  • Conducting two of the case studies mentioned, beginning with the Atlantic Revolutions (no comprehensive historical investigations are expected, but rather exemplary ‘test drills’)
  • Contribution to the other work packages of POLTRUTH in line with your research interests, as well as to the joint research activities and outcomes
  • Completion of your doctoral thesis
  • Assistance with organising events and publishing co-edited volumes
  • Presentation of your research at international conferences and workshops
  • Publication of research articles in peer-reviewed journals and/or edited volumes

Your Profile

  • Completed Master’s degree in philosophy, political theory, or political history of ideas
  • Solid qualification in political philosophy, political theory, and the history of political ideas
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in German and English
  • Organisational and teamwork skills
  • Experience in editing and proofreading texts; proficiency in using Office programmes

Our Offer

  • A three-year PhD position (50%) in a small collaborative project team at the Institute for Culture Studies and its “Knowledge Production” research group, with the possibility to enrol at the University of Vienna and the Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy
  • Close supervision and mentoring throughout the doctoral project
  • Funding for attending conferences and organising workshops
  • Opportunities for international collaboration and publishing
  • Flexible working hours (up to 40% home office)
  • A workplace in downtown Vienna, one of the most liveable cities globally, easily accessible by public transport and bike

 

The minimum annual gross salary for this position is EUR 53.140,92 (full-time based), in accordance with the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). For part-time employment, the salary will be adjusted on a pro rata basis in line with the agreed working hours.

 

Application  

Please submit your application as a single PDF file (max. 20 MB) via the online portal under "CV". Applications can be submitted in German or English. Your application must include:

  1. Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
  2. Academic CV, including, if applicable, publications, conference presentations, teaching experience, organisational experience, and career breaks (max. 3 pages)
  3. Names and contact details of two referees
  4. Description of the dissertation project, and how it contributes to POLTRUTH: Which of the case studies would you like to work on? What prior knowledge do you have in this area? To which of the other work packages can you contribute with your dissertation project? (max. 5 pages without references)
  5. Writing sample (15-20 pages, journal article or chapter of MA thesis)
  6. Scanned copies of all academic diplomas (BA and MA or equivalent degrees).

Deadline for application: 1 December 2026

The interviews are expected to take place on 10 December 2026.

 

For project-related questions, please contact:

Gerald Posselt [gerald.posselt@oeaw.ac.at]

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity. Individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.