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.
Principal Researcher (f/m/x)
Job ID: ACDH064PR126
The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), Austria’s leading non-university research and science institution, is offering a Position as
Principal Researcher (f/m/x)
(40 hours per week / 5 years)
starting from 1 January 2027.
The ACDH conducts fundamental research in the Humanities with the aim of development, documentation, analysis and interpretation of historical as well as contemporary research subjects. The Institute’s digitally oriented research focuses in particular on the areas of Linguistics, Literary and Print Culture Studies as well as Musicology.
The research department Musicology considers itself the foremost non-university institution for its discipline in Austria. All projects share a focus on the transmission and history of music in Austria and those cultural areas with which the present region of Austria has been closely connected for centuries. This focus is pursued through three main research areas: Composers & Editions, Documentation & Source Studies, and Lexicography & Contextualization. The methodological spectrum ranges from work-centred philological approaches and their application in music to inter- and transdisciplinary to approaches in the history of science, musical iconography, and the study of audiovisual media.
Your Tasks
As head of the department “Musicology” you are largely responsible for the successful continuation and growth of the musicological research department as well as its integration into the activities of the institute as a whole. You have rich expertise and proven research experience in historical musicology (with a focus on Austria and its previous territories) as well as the Digital Humanities. Research activities in the mentioned musicological areas as well as in digital lexicography, music and text edition, computer-based music and/or text analysis, as well as the development of digital corpora and (metadata) collections (incl. source catalogues, catalogues of work, encyclopedias, prosopographical databases) are particularly of interest. Tried and tested knowledge of the relevant technologies and standards (TEI, MEI) as well as experience in the management of research data are desirable. In your research you strive for innovative approaches of connecting the Humanities and technology and you share our commitment to FAIR and open data.
Your Profile
- Research at the intersection of historical musicology (with a focus on Austria and its neighbouring states) and the Digital Humanities
- Completed doctorate in the area of historical musicology
- Post-doc experience in a renowned research institution
- A habilitation in a relevant subject or an internationally comparable qualification is desirable.
- Academic leadership experience (project teams, working groups, etc.)
- Experience in conceptualizing, acquiring funding for, and leading larger research projects as well as willingness and ability to lead interdisciplinary research groups.
- Outstanding accomplishments in research, excellent publication activity, international reputation
Our Offer
The minimum annual gross salary for this position is EUR € 76.952,12 (full-time based), in accordance with the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). Employment in this position will last for five years. Preferred beginning of employment is January 2027.
We hope to have sparked your interest in this position and ask you to upload your written application including all relevant documents (incl. Statement of motivation, CV, publication list and doctoral degree) to the application platform no later than June 15, 2026.
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. The OeAW cooperates with NEBA and is a member of MyAbility in order to provide appropriate workplace structures, in particular for persons with disabilities.
Contact
ACDH Central Office | acdh-office@oeaw.ac.at
ACDH | 1010 Innere Stadt, Austria
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften | Austrian Academy of Sciences | https://www.oeaw.ac.at/

