University Assistant postdoctoral - FWF project RE-SECURE Universität Wien

Job description:

At the University of Vienna, almost 11,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,700 of them are academic staff members. These are individuals who, with their curiosity and their continuous pursuit of excellence, engage in international cutting-edge research and teaching. With us, you will also find space to unfold your potential. We are looking for a/an ...

University Assistant postdoctoral - FWF project RE-SECURE

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where over 7,500 brilliant minds have found a unique balance of freedom and support. Join us if you’re passionate about groundbreaking international research and academic excellence. Ready to be part of our team? Let’s shape the future together!

About this position:

We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (Post-Doc) to join the FWF ASTRA project RE-SECURE – Remaking Security: Technopolitics in the Global East, led by Dr. Dagmar Vorlíček, at the Department of Sociology. If you are passionate about interdisciplinary research on security, and would like to contribute to an innovative international research project, we look forward to your application.

The project:

RE-SECURE – Remaking Security: Technopolitics in the Global East explores how expertise developed under past political regimes can be renegotiated and adapted for new security purposes. Focusing on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as a region marked by profound political transformations from the Cold War to the present, the project rethinks the study of security by theorizing how ways of “doing security” are shaped by history, technology, and global connections. The project examines both the symbolic and material dimensions of remaking security, while combining desk research, archival work, and field research. By analysing how technoscientific practices interact with societal understandings of security risks and global politics, RE-SECURE aims to develop an original, historically grounded, and decentered perspective on security from the perspective of the “Global East.”

Your future tasks:

The postdoctoral researcher will lead a case study on cybersecurity in Estonia, examining how Cold War cybernetic expertise has been reworked in the context of post-socialist security transformation of Estonia, especially towards the digital statehood, cybersecurity, and cyber-defence politics. The case study research will involve document analysis, field research with scientists, experts, and policymakers, and archival work in Estonia. 

The postdoc will contribute to the theoretical and methodological research on the project and will collaborate closely with the Principal Invetsigator and PhD student.

Your responsibilities include:

• Conducting independent postdoctoral research within the RE-SECURE framework
• Developing and conducting a case study on cybernetics/cybersecurity in Estonia 
• Designing and carrying out qualitative empirical research (combining interviews, document analysis, and archival research)
• Contributing to comparative and conceptual work across the project’s case studies
• Publishing and presenting research results nationally and internationally
• Participating in project meetings, workshops, and research activities of the department
• Contributing to literature reviews, conceptual development, and joint publications of the RE-SECURE team
• Support the Principal Investigator in project coordination and mentoring activities
• Engaging in the broader academic life of the faculty

Your profile:

• Completed PhD in sociology, political science, STS, international relations, history, anthropology, or a related discipline
• Research focus on politics, technology, and history
• Experience with interdisciplinary research 
• Excellent qualitative methodological skills
• Demonstrated ability to publish internationally
• Fluency in English
• Working knowledge of Estonian and/or Russian is an advantage 
• Experience with field research and/or archival research 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team

What we offer:

• Integration into an ambitious FWF-funded international research project
• Structured mentoring by the Principal Investigator
• Training in academic research, publishing, and project management
• Support in career development and future academic applications
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment
• Access to the University of Vienna’s professional career development services, training programmes, and continuing education opportunities
• Salary according to the FWF salary rates (post-doc level), including the 13th and 14th monthly salary payments

How to apply:

Please submit the following documents in a single PDF file:

• Motivation letter (max. 3 pages), outlining your research interests and how you would contribute to the project RE-SECURE
• Academic CV
• Two writing samples (e.g. article, dissertation chapter)
• Contact details of three academic referees (name, institutional affiliation, email address)
• Via our job portal/ Apply now -  button.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dagmar Vorlicek  

dagmar.vorlicek@univie.ac.at

We look forward to new personalities in our team! 
The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

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​Application deadline: 07/31/2026 

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