University Assistant Predoctoral, Historical and Cultural Studies

Job title:

University Assistant Predoctoral, Historical and Cultural Studies

Company: Universität Wien


Job description: 40 Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies
Working hours: 30 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
Limited until: permanent
Reference no.: 4401Among the many good reasons to want to research and teach at the University of Vienna, there is one in particular, which has convinced around 7,500 academic staff members so far. They see themselves as personalities who need space for their continuous striving and curiosity in order to be scientifically successful. Does this sound like you? Then join our accomplished team!Your personal sphere of influence:As a university assistant predoc, you will join the international team on Islamic Art History led by Professor Markus Ritter. The team’s research interests focus on works, media, and contexts of images, architecture, and objects of Islamic art and the early historiography of Islamic art. Current research explores Arabic, Persian, and Turkish art and architecture of the Middle Ages and modern times in the eastern Mediterranean, the Near East, Iran, Central Asia, and India.The Department of Art History in Vienna researches and teaches on arts all across Eurasia, from Late Antiquity to the present day, using a variety of methodological approaches. The team on Islamic art history benefits from lively exchange with colleagues in the Department who work on European, Byzantine and East Asian art history. We cooperate with institutions that study and teach the history, literature, culture, and anthropology of Islam societies, inside and outside the University of Vienna. We conduct research in countries of Islamic art and in the museums and libraries of Europe and Austria.What is important to us as a team is to foster exchange, discussion and ideas in research, committed teaching and openness in communication.Your future tasks:You actively participate in research, teaching, and administration, which means:

• You research and write your doctoral thesis on a topic in Islamic art history supervised by the professor.
• You present your doctoral project to the faculty committee of the Doctoral School within one year after coming to Vienna (Faculty public presentation).
• You independently teach courses in the BA program (proseminar, case study), one course per semester (every fourth semester is free of teaching, according to the employment contract)
• You support the professor for Islamic Art History in research, teaching and administration.

What you bring:

• a completed Master or Diploma degree in Art History or Archaeology or Architectural History and Building Research, or Oriental or Islamic Studies; with a completed thesis on a topic that is relevant for Islamic Art History
• knowledge of at least one Arabic-written language, such as Arabic, Persian, Ottoman
• practice in academic writing and research methods
• didactic skills
• very good knowledge of English
• enthusiasm, interest, and ideally proven ability to work in a team, with social and communication skills
• the will, the perseverance, and the plan to research and write within the foreseen time a very good and methodologically competent doctoral thesis.

What we offer:Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team, with an excellent research infrastructure, at one of the largest art history university departments in the world, in a relaxed working environment.
Work-life balance: You have flexible working hours with the option of working from home. You have a working sabbatical without teaching every fourth semester, intended to enable you to further concentrate on your doctoral thesis.
Internal further training and coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from – free of charge. We support your participation in scholarly workshops and conferences, and at summer schools.
Life in Vienna: Vienna has been voted the most liveable city worldwide several times in a row. The city has a rich cultural landscape, outstanding infrastructure and excellent public transportation. Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport. The cost of living in Vienna is moderate by international standards.
Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3,714,80 (on a full-time basis, B1) increases if we can credit professional experience.
Duration of contract: The employment duration is 3 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 3 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a non-extension declaration.
Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!It is that easy to apply:

• letter of motivation, signed by hand
• your academic curriculum vitae
• an exposé of your doctoral project (five pages of text, excluding illustrations, plus a one-page outline and bibliography). The exposé should explain the topic and objectives of the thesis, its relevance, and the research gap that it addresses. It should cover the current state of research on the topic, referencing relevant existing scholarly literature; as well as explainging the material and sources to be used; the idea(s) and hypotheses that will guide the research. It should include a preliminary outline and timetable
• a summary of the topic, the approach, and the results of your Master thesis (maximum 3 pages), the table of contents of the thesis, and the review and grading of your thesis
• copy of the certificate of your completed master program
• Proof of language skills
• … through our job portal / Apply now – button

If you have any questions, please contact:Professor Dr Markus RitterWe 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 and . We lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff 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.​Application deadline: 20.08.2025Prae Doc

Expected salary: €3714.8 per month

Location: Wien

Job date: Fri, 25 Jul 2025 03:10:29 GMT

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