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 (Diss) (f/m/x)
Job ID: ITA171DOC225
The Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) - Austria’s leading non-university research and science institution - has a double mission: Its team carries out interdisciplinary research on the impacts of new technologies on society, the environment, and the economy, i.e. technology assessment (TA). The results of our work support policy-makers, the administration, and the public concerning technology policy issues.
We are offering a position as
Praedoc (Diss) (f/m/x)
(part-time, 32 hours per week)
for a duration of 12 months (starting March 1st 2026).
Your Tasks
- Contribution to the project (funded by the Anniversary Fund of the City of Vienna):
“C’est-LA-Vie: Digital Humanism in 21st Century Life Sciences Academia in Vienna”, conducting desktop research, interviews and workshops within three life science research fields & performing respective analyses - Active participation in the institute’s inter- and transdisciplinary discussions
Your Profile
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Completed university studies (Master), preferably in STS broadly speaking
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Expertise in qualitative sociological and/or ethnographic research (interviews, field research)
o Ideally, experience in researching “epistemic communities”, “communities of (scientific) practice”, and/or “digital humanism”
o Ideally, experience in researching STEM research fields and/or digital transformation
o Ideally, experience in the field of technology assessment
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Excellent German and English skills needed
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Soft skills: capacity for teamwork, good self-organisation
Our Offer
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Further developing your expertise on epistemic cultures in the life sciences and/or digital transformation and/or digital humanism within a project team
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Acquiring new methodological expertise (especially regarding the method of mind scripting)
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Working in a fascinating field of activity with high socio-political relevance and impact
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Option to get involved in future TA projects
Numerous voluntary social benefits, flextime arrangement, central downtown location
The annual gross salary, according to the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) for this position, is fixed as € 41.822,70 (part-time based, before taxes).
Please submit your application, including a motivation letter* in German language and all relevant documents, certificates/references no later than January 20, 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.
Contact
Dr. Karen Kastenhofer | tamail@oeaw.ac.at
ITA | 1010 Vienna, Austria
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften | Austrian Academy of Sciences | https://www.oeaw.ac.at/

