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Scientific project assistant postdoc
49 Faculty of Social Sciences
Job vacancy starting: 09/01/2026 | Working hours: 40,00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 lit. b (postdoc)
Limited contract until: 08/31/2030
Job ID: 5050
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 personal sphere of play:
The Department of Sociology at the University of Vienna, a vital unit within the Faculty of Social Sciences, welcomes applications for a Post Doctoral position in an ERC Advanced Grant project centred on the role of emotion in public debate on loneliness, privacy, radicalisation and social isolation under the guidance of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Anna Durnova, Ph.D.
This position is offered in the framework of the ERC Advanced Grant project LONERS "Loneliness, Emotions, and Regulation: Understanding Institutions through Privacy". As a Post Doctoral researcher, you will become a member of the Research Team of Anna Durnova, situated at the Department of Sociology. The team's primary mission is to develop theoretical concepts and analytical tools to understand better current societal polarization, among which loneliness is seen as a crucial area. A special focus of the international team is given to interpretive social research and social research on emotions. Additional methodological focus is welcome.
The project:
“Loneliness, Emotions, and Regulation: Understanding Institutions through Privacy” (LONERS) is funded by the European Research Council as an Advanced Grant. Within the LONERS project we aim to explore the relationship between loneliness, privacy, and emotions to help institutions better respond to citizens’ emotional needs. Going beyond conventional views of privacy, it will identify key moments of intervention that respect citizens’ privacy. By examining how loneliness interacts with societal values and norms, the project seeks to outline a framework for balancing privacy concerns with citizens well-being.
Your future tasks:
Active participation in research and project coordination assistance which means:
- You build up an independent research profile in the field of political sociology and emotion research.
- You will independently plan and execute empirical research within the scope of the ERC project outlined earlier.
- You are involved in related research project and scientific studies in the area of radicalisation, social isolation and loneliness.
- You publish internationally and give lectures.
- You apply for theme-related projects and raise further third-party funds.
- You mentor students and junior members of the LONERS project.
- You participate in evaluation measures and in quality assurance.
- You participate in a research project and in scientific studies in the field of political sociology developing your own research interests.
- You participate in national and international conferences and project meetings.
- You will write scientific publications.
- Your tasks will involve literature review, finetuning of analytical schemes to address the political force of emotions and supporting the coordinator in the elaboration of reports, as well as social impact activities.
- You will be part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, benefiting from an extensive network of excellent researchers. Active involvement in ongoing research conducted by the research team of Anna Durnova is encouraged.
This is part of your personality:
- Strong interest in exploring sociology of emotions and political sociology research topics theoretically and empirically.
- Strong interest in research on loneliness, politics of emotions in the context of radicalisation, social isolation and polarisation.
- PhD in sociology or related disciplines.
- Outstanding dissertation.
- Proficiency in social science qualitative research methods.
- A keen interest in acquiring advanced skills in discourse analysis and social network analysis.
- Experience with scientific writing and presenting. Further project-relevant writing skills are an asset.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- While not mandatory, proficiency in an additional foreign language (notably Italian, Dutch) is a definite asset, due to the international character of the project.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and within an interdisciplinary team.
- Research competence and initiative proven through international publications in peer-relevant media.
- Experience in research management.
- Team player and high social/communicative skills.
What we offer:
The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 3 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, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work (upon agreement).
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 in the center of beautiful Vienna 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.
Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 4.932,90 (14 times a year) for a period of 4 years increases if we can credit professional experience.
Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!
It is that easy to apply:
- With your scientific curriculum vitae / letter of intent.
- With your list of publications.
- With your summary of research interests (max. 1 p.).
- Doctoral Degree.
- Contact details of persons who could provide reference letters.
- Via our job portal/ Apply now - button.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Anna Pospech Durnova
anna.durnova@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 place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.
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Application deadline: 02/02/2026
