The Department of Political Science at the University of Vienna invites applications for four positions in the FWF (Austrian Science Fund) START project “Valuing Vaccination: a multi-sited policy valuography” (VALUE-VACC), headed by Katharina T. Paul. The project examines how different societal actors value vaccination. In particular, the project explores valuation practices of governmental and industry actors, researchers, parents, and a collection of actors on social media. A more detailed abstract can be found here. The basic starting point of this project is that valuations of vaccination are intrinsically linked with valuations of its governance. The project consists of five workpackages that correspond to five sites of governance: policy (WP1), primary care (WP2), industry (WP3), research (WP4), and social media (WP5). At this point, positions are available in three workpackages as advertised below.
Starting date for all positions is fall/winter 2022 (with some degree of flexibility).
Current openings:
Position 1 (PhD, 30hrs/week, 4 years) is situated in workpackage 2, CARE. The PhD researcher will have a strong interest in health policy and vaccination, solid skills and experience in conducting qualitative research (especially in-depth interviews). The PhD project should be developed in close connection to the overall project. A very good command of German is a prerequisite for this position. To apply for this position, please submit a CV and motivation letter laying out any relevant experience and previous research, as well as your interest in doing a PhD.
Position 2 (Postdoc, 40hrs/week, 3 years) is situated in work package 3, PHARMA. The candidate is expected to examine valuation practices in the pharmaceutical industry regarding the development and sales of vaccines. This research requires a strong background in interpretive policy analysis/Science and Technology Studies/political economy/ and extensive experience with qualitative methods in sensitive settings. To apply for this position, please submit a CV (max 3 pages) and motivation letter (max 2 pages) laying out your experience and expertise in relevant areas, and briefly address how you would explore valuation practices of industry actors, e.g. potential case studies, methods, links with other workpackages etc.
Position 3 (Postdoc, 40hrs/week, 3 years) is situated in work package 4, RESEARCH. The candidate is expected to examine valuation practices by researchers working on vaccine development, with COVID19 as one envisaged case study. This research requires a strong background in STS/science studies and extensive experience with qualitative methods. To apply for this position, please submit a CV (max 3 pages) and motivation letter (max 2 pages) laying out your experience and expertise in relevant areas, and briefly address how you would explore valuation practices, e.g. potential case studies, methods, links with other workpackages etc.
Position 4 is a student research assistant position supporting the PI at 15hrs/week (2 years, depending on progress with their degree). Applicants must be enrolled in (but have not yet completed) a social science MA program at the University of Vienna. Tasks include research assistance (e.g. literature surveys) and administrative tasks (e.g. organizing events) and assistance with project management. In addition, the candidate is invited to write their MA thesis in political science in the context of the project at the Department of Political Science. To apply, please send a motivation letter (1 page max) and CV (max 2 pages) stating your experience and undergraduate/MA level interests and specializations.
General job description PhD & postdoctoral positions:
- Conducting and publishing high-quality research
- Collaborating closely with other researchers in the project
- Presenting results at international conferences and in high-quality outlets
- Participation in departmental seminars and teaching activities
- Help with organizing events
Salary:
Salaries for all positions are in accordance with collective labour agreements, see here.
Please note that the University of Vienna pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (http://diversity.univie.ac.at/).The University lays special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants.
Your profile:
- For the PhD position: MA/MSc degree (or equivalent) in political science/policy studies or a related discipline (completed or close to completion), e.g., sociology, science and technology studies, medical anthropology
- For postdoctoral positions: a PhD (completed or close to completion) in political science/policy studies or a related discipline e.g., sociology
- General research interests as described above, experience with public health (policy) research welcome
- Strong qualitative skills and evidence of conducting research in an autonomous fashion
- Excellent command of English
- Very good command of German for the PhD position and the student assistant
We offer:
- Participation in cutting-edge research funded by the FWF-Austrian Science Fund with a high degree of visibility
- Becoming part of a research team
- Funding for participation at international conferences
- Opportunities for collaboration and exchange within the Faculty of Social Science
- A vibrant research environment and…. excellent quality of life in Vienna!
Your application:
- CV, including list of publications (max 3 pages)
- Motivation letter (max 2 pages)
- For PhD and postdoc positions: Links to writing examples (e.g., MA or PhD thesis)
- Contact details of two potential references
- Indication which position(s) you are applying for in the subject line
To apply, send a single PDF file containing this information to anna.janny@univie.ac.at using the term *application VALUE-VACC* and naming the position you are applying for in the subject line (e.g. application VALUE-VACC postdoc). The extended deadline for applications is Thursday June 30, 2022.
Following the closing date, we will contact you by e-mail to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted and invited for an interview. Interviews will be held online in the period of 4 - 15 July 2022. Please direct any questions to anna.janny@univie.ac.at.
