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At the University of Vienna almost 11,000 personalities work together towards answering the big questions of the future. Around 3,000 of them work in administration and organisation, around 7,700 do research and teaching. We are currently seeking a/an
University Assistant (praedoc) in the platform "Spacetrace"
49 Faculty of Social Sciences
Job vacancy starting: 10/01/2026 | Working hours: 30,00 | Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited contract until: 09/30/2030
Job ID: 5830
We are looking for a PhD student to join the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, to work as part of the Research Platform ‘Spacetrace’. Your tasks will include developing and carrying out your dissertation project, teaching, and actively participating in platform and department activities.
Your personal sphere of influence:
The University Assistant praedoc will join the Department of Science and Technology Studies which is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Science and Technology Studies is a social science field with a strong interdisciplinary orientation that analyses the interactions of science, technology, and society. The advertised position is affiliated with the University Research Platform SPACETRACE (Pollution of the Atmosphere by a Rapidly Growing Space Industry).
SPACETRACE starts from the observation that the commercialization of space has led to a dramatic increase in rocket launches and satellites in Earth orbit – with largely unknown consequences for the atmosphere. Possible impacts include effects on the stratospheric ozone layer, the radiation balance of the Earth, and on ice cloud formation.
The research platform brings together researchers from three faculties with expertise in social science, aerosol physics, and atmospheric sciences, to investigate the effects of emissions from rocket launches and the re-entry of space debris on the atmosphere, climate and society.
Within SPACETRACE, four PhD positions are available, of which one is at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, and supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nina Klimburg-Witjes. Research will focus broadly on one or more of the following questions:
1) What socio-political and economic logics underpin the current expansion of mega-constellations and commercial launch activities despite known environmental risks? 2) How do national and international governance structures frame space debris and atmospheric emissions—as security threats, sustainability concerns, or acceptable trade-offs for innovation? 3) What legal and regulatory mechanisms are needed to address the planetary-scale externalities of orbital activities, and what power asymmetries shape these debates? 4) How do different regions and populations bear the uneven environmental and security risks associated with space debris, especially in the context of re-entry fallout and climate feedbacks?
The position is advertised to the extent of 30 hours/week (75%) for a period of four years. The anticipated start date is October 1st, 2026.
Your future tasks:
The successful candidate will work on a PhD dissertation, participate in research activities of the research platform and department. You will:
Design and carry out your PhD research;
Collaborate with colleagues and participate in department seminars and research activities;
Present your research at national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia;
Teach courses independently, as defined by the collective agreement, including examination duties and student advising.
This is part of your personality:
You have a university degree (Master or equivalent) in the Social Sciences or in another field, if the applicant can provide evidence of significant prior experience in Science and Technology Studies;
You have knowledge of the theories and methods of Science and Technology Studies;
You can demonstrate the ability to successfully plan, conduct, and write up research;
You are motivated to work in an interdisciplinary team with colleagues from STS and Physics (no background in physics needed!);
You have excellent proficiency in English, proficiency in German (or readiness to acquire it) is an advantage;
You are interested in team work and collective research activities;
You have excellent organisational skills and the capacity to make long-term plans;
You are reliable and well organised.
What we offer:
A lively, active, and internationally oriented STS environment;
Mentorship and a commitment to supportive supervision that helps you realise your research;
Team culture with regular opportunities to exchange and socialise;
Emphasis on work-life balance and on healthy research culture;
Support and training through participation in the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences;
Opportunities for internal training and coaching as well as enhancement of personal skills from the University of Vienna.
The basic monthly gross salary for this advertised position currently is € 3.776,10 (full time) and will be paid 14 times a year for a period of four years (i.e., the duration of the contract). The basic salary increases if we can credit prior professional experience.
Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to four years if the employer does not terminate it within the first twelve months by submitting a non-extension declaration.
It is that easy to apply, with:
A Curriculum Vitae;
A Letter of motivation specifying your capacities in the above mentioned areas of work;
Transcripts of prior academic studies;
A 3-5 page outline of your proposed PhD project in Science and Technology Studies on a topic relating to Space Governance, Innovation and Politics with a particular focus on space debris and sustainability
Names and contact details of two referees.
If you have any content questions, please contact:
Nina Klimburg-Witjes
[email protected]
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.
University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.
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Application deadline: 07/30/2026
