Project staff member (Teaching and Research Assistant)
- Vienna University of Economics and Business
- Research, development, teaching
- Part time
- published till: 2026-10-28
Institute for Sociology and Social Research
Part-time, 10 hours/week
Starting November 01, 2026, and limited until June 30, 2029
Please note that pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, only students who have not yet completed a master or diploma degree program can be employed.
Would you like to work in an internationally oriented research environment at the intersection of economic sociology, digital sociology and criminology?
As a Research Assistant (10 hours/week) at the Institute for Sociology and Social Research at WU Vienna, you will contribute to the research project A Socio-Technical Framework for Online Drug Markets, led by Dr. Meropi Tzanetakis. The project investigates how illicit drug markets are socially organised and how their organisation is changing through digitalisation. We understand markets not simply as mechanisms of supply and demand, but as socially embedded institutional arrangements in which actors coordinate exchange, establish trust, evaluate goods and manage uncertainty. The project examines how digital infrastructures, organisational arrangements and social practices interact to shape market coordination and governance. Rather than treating digital technologies as external tools that merely facilitate exchange, the research asks how platforms, algorithms, data and other infrastructures become part of the organisation of markets themselves. Empirically, the project examines the changing organisation of illicit drug markets across online, offline and hybrid environments, with attention to their socioeconomic, technological, political, cultural and gendered embeddedness. If you are interested in the social organisation of markets, digital transformation and interdisciplinary research on contemporary economic and societal processes, we look forward to receiving your application.
More information about the project and research group: meropitzanetakis.com/research-group.html
What to expect
- Research support: You will contribute to the project’s ongoing research activities, including conducting literature searches, transcribing interviews, collecting, processing and analysing data, and supporting the preparation of academic publications, research reports, and funding applications. You will also present information on research progress and have the opportunity to develop ideas for your Master’s thesis within the thematic scope of the project.
- Organisational and administrative support: You will assist with organisational and public-relations tasks, contribute to the coordination of project activities, and support the organisation of academic and outreach events.
- Communication and dissemination: You will help design and implement communication activities related to the research project, contribute to presenting research findings to academic and professional audiences, and support the communication of data and results in accessible and engaging ways.
- Networking and collaboration: You will collaborate with research group members, project partners and assist in coordinating research activities.
- Teamwork and participation: You will work closely with colleagues to contribute to joint decisions and the production of high-quality research. Active participation in team meetings, workshops, and other events within the research group and wider academic community will be an integral part of your role.
What you have to offer
- You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program at WU Vienna, preferably in Socioeconomics / SEEP / WUPOL. You hold a bachelor’s degree in a related social science field and are at the beginning of your master’s studies at WU or an advanced bachelor student intending to start a Master’s at WU.
- You have demonstrated strong academic performance and a keen interest for academic work in curricular as well as extracurricular activities and achievements.
- You possess very good skills in both German and English (written and spoken) for academic communication.
- You are familiar with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, and ideally have prior experience with data analysis tools such as R, Python, Stata, SPSS and/or NVivo, MAXQDA etc.
- You are flexible, reliable, organised and conscientious, with a strong sense of responsibility for completing assigned research tasks accurately and on time.
- You have good communication and collaboration skills and enjoy working as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
- Previous experience in academic research and/or university-level teaching is an advantage.
What we offer you
- Six weeks of vacation/Extra vacation time
- Flexible working hours
- Training opportunities
- A wide range of benefits, from an in-house medical officer to athletic activities and a meal allowance to a variety of employee discounts
- Meaningful work in an open-minded, inclusive, and family-friendly environment
- A modern campus with spectacular architecture in the heart of Vienna
- Inspiring campus life with over 2,400 employees in research, teaching, and administration and approximately 21,500 students
- Excellent accessibility by public transportation
The monthly gross salary amounts to €689.80.
Do you want to join the WU team?
Then please submit your application by October 28, 2026 (ID 2929).
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
WU is committed to diversity and inclusion and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from women. Not sure if your profile fully matches our requirements? Apply anyway! In case of equal qualification, female candidates will be given preference. Applicants with disabilities will be supported throughout each stage of the recruitment process. Candidates' qualifications will be assessed in the context of their academic age.
