Logo
 

Research and Teaching Associate

  • Vienna University of Economics and Business
  • Research, development, teaching
  • Part time
  • published till: 11.11.2026

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 Ecological Economics
Part-time, 15 hours/week
Starting November 16, 2026, and limited until December 31, 2027
 
Few researchers get the chance to build an institution from the ground up. Do you want to help found WU's new home for energy research, and connect it to one of the world's densest energy ecosystems right here in Vienna? 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 hiring a predoc researcher (15 hours/week) to contribute to the new research cluster Energy Transitions and Future Energy Systems that unites energy researchers across WU's departments. The position covers the cluster's founding period, from November 16, 2026 to December 31, 2027.

What to expect

Your tasks include contributing to the cluster’s build-up, which is led by its founding Senior Scientist, and benefit from a structure that is being set up to serve exactly the kind of work you will be doing. You are also expected to undertake your own research. You will work on a doctoral thesis on a topic within the cluster’s thematic scope, supervised by one of the coordinating professors and embedded in a community of researchers across departments. This is a launch year: you will see an academic institution being built from the inside and help shape it, while keeping clear time and space for your doctoral work.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Contributing to the cluster’s research activities: You will support the Senior Scientist and the coordinating professors on the substantive side of the build-up, for instance by contributing to the research workshops and the speaker series, helping prepare collaborative grant applications, and producing background analyses for the cluster’s engagement with policymakers, businesses, and international organizations. The cluster’s day-to-day operations are handled by the Senior Scientist and a team of student assistants, so your contribution is as a researcher, not as an administrator.
  • Your own research: You will pursue a doctoral thesis on energy transitions, future energy systems, present your work at international conferences, and publish in peer-reviewed journals, with the support of your supervisor and the cluster’s faculty.
  • Contributing to the shared agenda: You will take part in the cluster’s research workshops, bring your perspective to the development of its problem-focused research agenda, and co-author papers with cluster faculty where this fits your thesis.
  • Connecting early-career researchers: You will help build and animate a network of predoctoral researchers working on energy across WU, together with the Senior Scientist who mentors this group.
  • Teaching: You will contribute to teaching at the institute in line with the standard workload for this position (1 hour per semester).

What you have to offer

  • A completed master’s degree in economics, socio-economics or ecological economics, or a related field, completed by the starting date at the latest
  • A strong interest in energy transitions and a research idea, or an openness to developing one, within the cluster’s thematic scope
  • Solid methodological training, quantitative or qualitative, appropriate to your intended research; experience with energy systems modelling and participatory methods and processes is an advantage
  • Curiosity about interdisciplinary work and the ability to engage with colleagues from economics, law, management, and technology
  • Excellent written and spoken English; German is an advantage but not required
  • Initiative, reliability, and the ability to organize your own work within a collaborative setting

Please submit at least the following documents with your application:
Please submit your application, including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, a short research statement (max. 2 pages) outlining a possible thesis topic within the cluster’s scope.

Please direct any questions to: stagl@wu.ac.at

What we offer you

  • 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 €1,416.04 (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 November 11, 2026 (ID 2944).
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.