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 thrive on curiosity in continuous exploration and help us better understand our world. Does this sound like you? Then join our accomplished team!

Your personal sphere of influence:

The University of Vienna Research Platform ‘Trustworthy Science Communication’ announces a PhD position in the Health Psychology Group, located within the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology.

Members of the research platform will conduct science communication research with a specific focus on the question of trust in science. This research will be interdisciplinary, and led by researchers in Communication Science, Computer Science, Psychology, and Science and Technology Studies.

Together, we will examine public trust in science through cutting-edge research on science communication. Our research will be built on the understanding that public trust in science is complex, shaped by perceptions of trustworthiness, communication practices, and shifting social and political contexts. Trust cannot be assumed or manufactured; it must be earned through consistent integrity, transparency, and responsiveness. Because political developments, media narratives, and societal change continually challenge the relationship between science and the public, trust must be actively maintained. Addressing this challenge requires an interdisciplinary approach, as trust in science is conceptualized differently across fields. By integrating these perspectives, this platform aims to advance research on the foundations and practice of trustworthy science communication.

We invite applications for PhD projects located in and beyond each of the participating disciplines. All PhD candidates will work with an interdisciplinary supervision team, and will be able to join one of the doctoral schools at the University of Vienna. Applicants should be able to demonstrate interest in or experience with public science communication, the capacity to carry out interdisciplinary research, and the research skills necessary to complete a PhD. Further details of each position are provided below

The successful candidate for this position will be employed by the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and their research project will be supervised by an interdisciplinary supervisory team from the University of Vienna. 

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.

Your future tasks:

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

• Conduct science communication research focusing on the contributors to and consequences of trust in science for human and planetary health.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of a comprehensive social science data collection platform including mostly quantitative, but also qualitative data sources (e.g., panel surveys, online experiments, ecological momentary assessment, digital trace data, media coverage) for the longitudinal investigation of the relationships between (science) communication, trust in science, relevant attitudes and other psychological constructs, and behavioural outcomes.
• We expect you to join the Vienna Doctoral School Cognition, Behavior, and Neuroscience (CoBeNe) and conclude a doctoral thesis agreement within 12 months.
• You work on your dissertation and its completion.
• You publish in international peer-reviewed academic journals.
• You participate in national and international conferences and workshops.
• You hold courses and examinations independently and (co-)supervise students within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You take on administrative tasks in research and teaching.
• You become an active team member of the Research Platform "Trustworthy Science Communication and the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, a subunit of the Faculty of Psychology.

This is part of your personality:

All candidates in the Research Platform are expected to have the following qualifications as part of their profile:

• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of science communication and their original field of study
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team in a collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration and presenting research findings.
• Excellent English skills, both written and spoken.

In addition, the following specific requirements apply to the position advertised here:

• Relevant Master’s degree (e.g. psychology, communication science, or related disciplines)
• Knowledge of quantitative social science methods such as online surveys or experiments, daily diary studies, ecological momentary assessment, or studies involving digital trace data
• Knowledge of quantitative data analysis methods and related software (e.g., R, SPSS, JASP)
• Interest in open science principles
• Very good German skills, both written and spoken, and some knowledge of qualitative data collection and analysis methods are desirable, but not required

What we offer:

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely. 

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

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) for a period of 4 years / 48 months increases if we can credit professional experience.

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

It is that easy to apply:

• With a letter of motivation that describes your previous research achievements, your research goals, your career plans, and your reasons for applying;
• With a complete CV, including a list of previous scientific expertise, awards, grants, stays abroad, attended lectures, attended summer schools, attended workshops, skills, and publications (if applicable);
• With an abstract in English of your MA/MSc thesis, BA/BSc thesis, or of a research project you were involved in;
• With a 1-page research pitch describing an idea for a PhD dissertation within the research area of human and planetary health, which would fit within the research focus of the “Trustworthy Science Communication” research platform;
• With a complete list of finalised studies and transcripts of all grades;
• With 1-2 names of academic references and their contact addresses (e.g., your Master’s thesis supervisor);
• With any other material you think is relevant
• Via our  job portal/ Apply now -  button

If you have any questions, please contact:

Laura Maria König  

laura.koenig@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: 05/14/2026 

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