University assistant predoctoral

Universität Wien

Job description:

The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking a/an

University assistant predoctoral

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where more than 7,500 academics are engaged in curiosity-driven research and teaching aimed at advancing our understanding of the world. If this resonates with you, we invite you to become part of our dynamic and collaborative research environment.

The Centre for Sport Science and University Sports (CSU) is one of the 20 faculties and centers of the University of Vienna and is located in Vienna’s 15th district, Auf der Schmelz. It comprises the Department of Sport and Human Movement Science as the scientific unit, and the University Sports Institute (USI), the central institution for university sports in Vienna.

The CSU is committed to high-level research and is well connected at both national and international levels. Its research activities are structured around two main focus areas: “Lifelong Health Promotion and Education” and “Human Performance”. Researchers at the CSU publish in leading international journals in sport and exercise science and are actively involved in a wide range of nationally and internationally funded research projects and research platforms. In addition to its research activities, the CSU is strongly engaged in professional education and continuing training. Through the University Sports Institute (USI), which offers more than 200 sports and exercise courses, the CSU provides a broad practice-oriented environment that supports the transfer of training-scientific knowledge into applied teaching, education, and lifelong physical activity.

The position is assigned to the working group of Training Science under the supervision of Dr. Robert Csapo. It offers the opportunity to conduct research and contribute to teaching within an internationally networked research environment, while systematically developing an independent research profile in the field of Training Science.

Your personal sphere of influence:

Our research group at the Department of Sport and Movement Science focuses on skeletal muscle health across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on aging and metabolic disorders. We offer a PhD (PraeDoc) position in an intellectually stimulating research environment with excellent methodological infrastructure and a collaborative working atmosphere. The successful candidate will work on the role of body composition, with a specific focus on visceral adipose tissue, in modulating the responsiveness to resistance training and potential mechanisms of anabolic resistance. Central research themes include the interaction between diet and body composition, as well as mechanistic pathways linking adiposity to skeletal muscle trainability, such as inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. A key objective of this position is the development and refinement of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)–based techniques to assess skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in vivo. Complementary methodologies include musculoskeletal ultrasound, various forms of dynamometry, and laboratory-based assessments of aerobic capacity using spiroergometry.

Your future tasks:

You actively participate in research, teaching & administration, which means:

• You are involved in research projects and scientific studies in the field of Training Science (Head of working group: Dr. Robert Csapo).
• We expect you to finalize your dissertation agreement within 6 months.
• You work on your dissertation and its completion.
• You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.
• You contribute to publications and scientific articles.
• You participate in coordinating and managing academic events.
• Project application and (external) fundraising.
• Examination activities.
• You support students.
• You participate in evaluation activities and in quality assurance.
• You participate in administration of the department.

This is part of your personality:

• Completed Master's degree or Diploma in Sport Science, Exercise Science, Human Movement Science, Kinesiology or a closely related discipline. A strong interest in biomedical research on training-induced morphological, functional, and physiological adaptations of skeletal muscle in the context of physical training, ageing, and/or metabolic disorders is expected.
• Professional competence in the field of Sport Science / Training Science. Experience with dynamometry, spiroergometry, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and the planning and supervision of exercise and resistance training interventions is considered an asset.
• Basic experience in academic writing and with research methods (e.g.)
• Very good command of written and spoken English (B2 level), furthermore good command of German (B1 level)
• IT user skills: e.g. MS Office, JASP, R, Python, MATLAB,...
• You should be a team player with high social skills

What we offer:

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Work-life balance: Flexible working hours are possible, taking into account the requirements of research, teaching, and supervision. Options for remote work may be available depending on task-related needs.

Good public transport connections: Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & Coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge.

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3.776,10 (on a full-time basis) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

The employment duration is 4 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 4 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.

It is that easy to apply:

Please submit your application via our online job portal using the "Apply now" button.
The application should include the following documents:

• A scientific curriculum vitae and a brief letter of motivation
• A summary of research interests and initial ideas for a prospective doctoral project (max. 3 pages)
• Copies of the Master's degree or Dilpoma certificate

If you have any questions, please contact:

Robert Csapo  

robert.csapo@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.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

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​Application deadline: 02/06/2026 

Apply now