Job Description

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 Spatial and Social-Ecological Transformation (ISSET)
Part-time, 12 hours/week
Starting August 01, 2026, and ending after 2,5 years

ISSET is an inter- and transdisciplinary university institute that focuses on strongly theoretically grounded empirical analyses. Researchers at the institute endorse a broad understanding of economies as social-ecological provisioning systems and economics as a discipline that investigates the production, distribution, and consumption of infrastructures, services, and commodities that satisfy, primarily, human needs. It aims at understanding contemporary transformations with a focus on their spatial and social-ecological dimensions. Contemporary ecological (e.g., climate change and biodiversity loss), geopolitical and geoeconomic (e.g., rise of the Global South and militarization) and socio-political transformations (e.g., crises of liberal democracy, inequality and social cohesion) are always time-space specific. They shape and are shaped by context-sensitive forms of policies, multi-level governance, regulations, institutions, and discourses. ISSET explores innovative governance models for “transformation by design” by investigating democratic forms of multi-level planning that link top-down and bottom-up approaches.

This position will be allocated to the research unit “Social-Ecological Provisioning” The focus of this research unit is the integrated analysis of provisioning systems, such as housing, care, mobility, or energy systems, distinguishing different economic zones, e.g. the foundational economy, with variegated effectiveness for satisfying needs in socially just and ecologically sustainable way. Drawing on feminist ecological economics, the research unit applies an intersectional lens and considers not only monetized but also non-monetized provisioning processes, thereby making the hidden foundations of our economic system visible. The unit is committed to theoretically and conceptually driven research, with methodologies guided by research questions rather than the other way around.

While the successful candidate will be open to multiple theoretical perspectives, we seek candidates with a background in heterodox economics (e.g. social-ecological economics, feminist economics, or political economy) or related social science disciplines. Candidates should have a solid grasp of provisioning debates in their respective areas of interest or expertise, be able to clearly articulate their research interests, and possess the basic methodological skills required to address their proposed research questions. Activating local knowledge and involving stakeholders in shaping inclusive and sustainable provisioning of foundational infrastructures, goods, and services is appreciated. Candidates are expected to be interested in, open to, and able to connect their research with that of other research groups at ISSET.

What to expect

The Teaching and Research Associate will pursue research on “Social-Ecological Provisioning” at ISSET and should cover all the following research competences:

• Research on temporal aspects of social-ecological provisioning
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including work with HETUS data

You will support teaching at the bachelor level (WUPol) and engage in the co-supervision of bachelors thesis in the field of social-ecological provisioning. You will be investigating your research topic and spending a third of your working hours writing your dissertation.

What you have to offer

• You have a diploma/master’s degree in heterodox economics or related social science disciplines that qualifies you for enrollment in a doctoral program at WU.
• You demonstrate commitment to theoretically grounded and methodologically sophisticated research in the above-mentioned fields.
• You have strong communication and writing skills in English. German skills or commitment to learn German are an advantage.
• You are prepared to use multimedia teaching and learning formats.
• You submit a PhD proposal covering preliminary research question(s), literature of relevance and proposed approach to answering research question(s) (max. five pages).

What we offer you

• Six weeks of vacation/Extra vacation time
• 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 €1,132.83 (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 June 10, 2026 (ID 2802).
We are looking forward to hearing from you!