OeAW - Discovering the future
As a central non-university institution for science and research, the Austrian Academy of Sciences - OeAW has the task of "promoting science in every respect". Founded in 1847 as a learned society, it now has over 760 members and around 1,800 employees dedicated to innovative basic research, interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and the dissemination of new insights. The OeAW initiates and maintains partnerships worldwide and represents Austria in international scientific organizations; it cooperates with numerous institutions in the scientific field in order to actively shape the research landscape.
Praedoc (f/m/x) - FWF Project "Politics of Truth"
Job ID: IKW108DOC226
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) - FWF Project "Politics of Truth"
(20 hours per week, 50 %)
for a period of 36 months, starting 1 January 2027 (no later than 1 March)
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 historical and systematic perspectives. 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, thereby 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, thus also shedding new light on historical events and phenomena such as the American Revolution, the French Revolution, Marxism, and fascism. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to pursue their own PhD project, which ideally falls in the thematic scope of POLTRUTH. They will assist the PI in examining the various historical phenomena in terms of their specific politics of truth and their significance for the crisis of the current truth regime.
Your Tasks
- Completion of your doctoral thesis
- Contribution to the project’s theoretical development, joint research activities and findings
- 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, political history of ideas, or another related discipline
- 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
- Proficiency in using Office programmes; experience in editing and proofreading texts
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. Scanned copies of all academic diplomas (BA and MA or equivalent degrees).
4. Description of the dissertation project, and how it relates to POLTRUTH (max. 5 pages including references)
5. Writing sample (15-20 pages, e.g., journal article, chapter of MA thesis)
Deadline for application: 7 October 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.
Contact
Gerald Posselt [gerald.posselt@oeaw.ac.at]
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften | Austrian Academy of Sciences
Institut für Kulturwissenschaften | Institute of Culture Studies
1010 Wien, Bäckerstraße 13
