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 a/an 

University Assistant postdoctoral 

40 Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies  

Job vacancy starting:  | Working hours:  20,00  | Classification CBA:  

Limited contract until: 

Job ID: 4410

The University of Vienna (20 faculties and centres, 178 fields of study, approx. 9.800 members of staff, about 90.000 students) seeks to fill the position from 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible.

Your personal sphere of play:

As a postdoc university assistant, you will join the international team on Islamic Art History led by Professor Markus Ritter. The team's research interests focus on works, media, and contexts of images, architecture, and objects of Islamic art and the early historiography of Islamic art. Current research explores Arabic, Persian, and Turkish art and architecture of the Middle Ages and modern times in the eastern Mediterranean, the Near East, Iran, Central Asia, and India. 

The Department of Art History in Vienna researches and teaches on arts all across Eurasia, from Late Antiquity to the present day, using a variety of methodological approaches. The team on Islamic art history benefits from lively exchange with colleagues in the Department who work on European, Byzantine and East Asian art history. We cooperate with institutions that study and teach the history, literature, culture, and anthropology of Islam societies, inside and outside the University of Vienna. We conduct research in countries of Islamic art and in the museums and libraries of Europe and Austria.

What is important to us as a team is to foster exchange, discussion and ideas in research, committed teaching and openness in communication.

Your future tasks:

Active participation in research, teaching & administration, which means:

• you pursue a research project in Islamic art history, researching and writing a habilitation thesis or a book, and building up an independent research profile
• you publish internationally and present papers in conferences and workshops give
• you independently teach courses in the BA program (proseminars), one course per semester in a 50% employment contract
• you support the professor for Islamic art history in research, teaching and administration and you are prepared to take on tasks at the department
• you plan and organize at least one international workshop or conference on a research topic in Islamic art history

This is part of your personality: 

• completed doctorate and excellent research work in History of Islamic Art;
• a current scholarly project that you will carry out and finish on this job position (preferably leading to a state thesis or a substantial book monograph);
• knowledge of at least one of the main languages of textual sources in History of Islamic Art (Arabic, Persian, Ottoman-Turkish)
• teaching experience
• excellent command of written and spoken English 

What we offer:

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team, with an excellent research infrastructure, at one of the largest art history university departments in the world, in a relaxed working environment.

Work-life balance: You have flexible working hours with the option of working from home. You have a working sabbatical without teaching every fourth semester, intended to enable you to further concentrate on your doctoral thesis.

Internal further training and coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge. We support your participation in scholarly workshops and conferences, and at summer schools.   

Life in Vienna: Vienna has been voted the most liveable city worldwide several times in a row. The city has a rich cultural landscape, outstanding infrastructure and excellent public transportation. Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport. The cost of living in Vienna is moderate by international standards.

Fair salary: You have a part-time position: 20 hours per week. The basic salary of EUR 2.466,45 for 20 hours will be increased if we are able to take past professional experience into account.

Contract duration: 4 year with option to extend for a maximum of 6 years.

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

It is that easy to apply:

• your academic curriculum vitae
• a letter of motivation, signed by hand
• an exposé of your research project (five pages of text, excluding illustrations, plus a one-page outline and bibliography). The exposé should explain the topic and objectives of the thesis, its relevance, and the research gap that it addresses. It should cover the current state of research on the topic, referencing relevant existing scholarly literature; as well as explaining the material and sources to be used; the idea(s) and hypotheses that will guide the research. It should include a preliminary outline and timetable
• a summary of the topic, the approach, and the results of your doctoral thesis and of your master thesis, for each three pages, plus table of contents, and review and grading reports
• copy of the certificate of your completed doctoral and master program
• proof of language skills
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button

If you have any questions, please contact:

Professor Dr.  Markus Ritter  

markus.ritter@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.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

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​Application deadline: 09/04/2025