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Research and Teaching Associate

  • Vienna University of Economics and Business
  • Research, development, teaching
  • Part time
  • published till: 21.10.2026

You want to understand how things are connected and make a fundamental impact? We offer an environment where you can realize your full potential. At one of Europe’s largest and most modern business and economics universities. On a campus where quality of work is also quality of life. We are looking for support at the

Institute for Digital Marketing and Behavioral Science
Part-time, 30 hours/week
Starting as soon as possible, and ending after 6 years
 
Qualified candidates with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply for this position. If necessary, a reduction of the extent of employment is possible.
 

We are offering a PhD position in Marketing at the Chair of Digital Marketing & Behavioral Science, with a flexible starting date (as early as possible). As an interdisciplinary research group, we study consumer phenomena at the intersection of digital technologies, marketing, and behavioral science. Our research examines how developments such as artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms, digital platforms, and social media shape consumer behavior, purchase decisions, social interactions, and moral decision-making. Methodologically, we employ a broad range of approaches, ranging from behavioral lab and field experiments to quantitative analyses of large-scale secondary data and machine-learning methods.

The WU Marketing Department offers a highly international and research-oriented environment in which you will have the freedom to develop your own research agenda. You will have access to funding for data collection, a dedicated conference travel budget, and international doctoral courses and training opportunities, as well as a strong network of international research collaborators and industry partners. Beyond the Marketing Department, you will benefit from WU’s growing interdisciplinary research ecosystem around technology and society, including the Applied AI Competence Center and the Digital Humanism Center, which brings together researchers interested in how digital technologies can be developed and used to serve people and society.

What to expect

  • Writing a dissertation: You will investigate your own research topic and spend one third of your working hours on your dissertation, with the goal of completing a PhD in Marketing and publishing your research in leading international journals.
  • Key areas of research: Depending on your interests and methodological background, your research will primarily focus on one of two areas:
    • Behavioral and experimental research: investigating consumer behavior in digital environments using lab, online, and field experiments.
    • Quantitative and computational research: investigating marketing and consumer phenomena using secondary data, causal inference, computational methods, and/or machine-learning approaches.

      Across both areas, potential research topics include digital consumer behavior, artificial intelligence and human–AI interaction, social media and digital platforms, algorithms and personalization, and the societal and ethical implications of digital technologies.
  • Developing your own research agenda: You will have the freedom to develop your own research ideas within the broader research areas of the chair and collaborate on projects with faculty members and international research partners.
  • Resources for your research: You will have access to funding for data collection and experiments, a dedicated conference travel budget, and international doctoral courses and training opportunities.
  • An interdisciplinary research environment: You will be closely connected to WU’s interdisciplinary research ecosystem around AI, technology, and society, including the Applied AI Competence Center and the Digital Humanism Center, and benefit from exchange with researchers from different disciplines working on the opportunities and implications of emerging technologies.
  • Building up a personal network: You will participate in international conferences and connect with researchers from leading international universities as well as industry partners, including established companies, digital start-ups, and consulting firms.
  • Doctoral courses: You will complete doctoral courses and participate in research seminars and workshops to further develop your theoretical and methodological expertise.
  • Teaching: Starting after the second semester of your employment, you will typically teach one course per semester and gain experience in university-level teaching.
  • Co-supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s theses: You will co-supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and support selected student projects, including projects conducted in cooperation with industry partners.
  • Research and teaching support: You will contribute to selected organizational and administrative activities related to research, teaching, and academic self-governance.

What you have to offer

  • Academic degree: You have a Master’s degree (or expect to complete it before the agreed starting date) that qualifies you for enrollment in a doctoral program at WU, as well as a strong academic record. We particularly welcome applicants with a background related to one of the following areas:
    1. Quantitative and computational fields: quantitative marketing, empirical methods, information systems, data science/big data analytics, machine learning, computer science, econometrics, or related fields.
    2. Behavioral fields: marketing management, consumer behavior, behavioral economics, psychology/social psychology, or related fields.
  • Interest in academic research: You have a strong interest in pursuing a PhD and conducting rigorous, internationally oriented research with the ambition to publish in leading academic journals in marketing and related fields.
  • Experience with empirical research methods: You have initial experience with empirical research methods relevant to your background, such as experimental research, quantitative data analysis, econometrics, programming, computational methods, or machine learning. You do not need to cover the full range of methods, but should be interested in further developing your methodological skills during your PhD.
  • Interest in digital technologies and AI: You are curious about emerging digital technologies and their implications for consumers, organizations, and society. You are open to developing new methodological and technological skills, including the use of AI and computational tools in the research process. Prior expertise in AI is welcome but not required.
  • Willingness to use innovative teaching methods: You are prepared to use multimedia and digital teaching methods and to engage with innovative learning formats.
  • Working style and collaboration: You have strong analytical and presentation skills, work independently and reliably, show initiative and intellectual curiosity, and enjoy developing ideas and collaborating in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.
  • Language skills: You have excellent written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of German is not required; German language skills are considered 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

Curious? Visit our website and find out more at www.wu.ac.at/benefits

The minimum monthly gross salary amounts to €2,832.08 (14 times per year). This salary may be adjusted based on job-related prior work experience. In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive social benefits.

Do you want to join the WU team?
Then please submit your application by October 21, 2026 (ID 2917).
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.