Open Position: Prae-doctoral researcher within the project „The Cultural Political Economy of Bitcoin in the Global South"

At the Faculty of Social Sciences (Department of Political Science) of the University of Vienna the position of a Prae-doctoral researcher within the project „The Cultural Political Economy of Bitcoin in the Global South” (BITELSA) is vacant from 01.06.2023 until 30.11.2025. Application deadline: 12.04.2023.

Overview


Bitcoin (BTC) became legal tender in El Salvador in September 2021. The adoption of BTC is part of a developmental narrative in which people in the Global South benefit from new technologies. BITELSA examines the consequences of the introduction of the BTC in El Salvador by analyzing the political-economic context and social structure, usage-practices and narratives.


The advertised position is part of the project "The Cultural Political Economy of Bitcoin in the Global South. Social Structures, Practices and Imaginaries of Bitcoin Adoption in El Salvador" (BITELSA), which is funded by the Anniversary Fund of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB). The project is led by Dr. Mag. Tobias Boos, BA and based at the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Vienna. The project also collaborates with the university-wide Latin America Research Network.

Start of employment: June 1, 2023.

End of employment: November 30, 2025 (duration of employment: 2.5 years/30 months)

Extent of employment: 30.00 hours/week

Classification according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff: Article 48 salary group B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) with relevant work experience determining the assignment to a particular salary grade. (Job grading in accordance with collective bargaining agreement).

Role of the successful Candidate

  • Conducting research as part of the research project "BITELSA", including field data collection, data analysis, and participation in publications / academic articles / presentations.
  • Participate in the organization and administration of the project.
  • Participation in the organization of meetings, conferences, symposia.
  • Participation in the acquisition of third-party funds
  • Possibility to pursue a PhD thesis within the research project (co-supervised by the PI)

 


Your profile

  • Master's degree in Political Science, Sociology, Development Studies/Economics, or another relevant social science or humanities discipline
  • Expertise in International Politics, International Political Economy (with a focus on the Global South) or Latin American Studies; experience with, or interest in project related topics are of particular advantage
  • Training in empirical social research (qualitative and/or quantitative methods)
  • Willingness to conduct field research in Latin America (together with project leader); experience abroad in Latin America is an advantage
  • High level of written and oral expression
  • Very good written and spoken Spanish skills (literature review, communication, conducting interviews)
  • Very good written and spoken English skills
  • Ability to work in a team

 


Application

We are looking forward to receiving your application, which you should send to tobias.boos@univie.ac.at by 12.04.2023. Important: Applications are not processed through the University of Vienna Job Center. Please send your application by email. Please include the following documents in your application:

  • Letter of motivation
  • Curriculum Vitae, incl. list of publications (if any)
  • Brief outline of the planned/current dissertation project (2—3 pages)
  • Academic writing sample (publication, seminar paper, chapter of master's thesis)
  • University degree certificates (academic transcript, academic degree certificates)

Selection & Next Steps

Potential candidates will subsequently be invited to an interview (probably in the week of 17.4.2023).

For more information about the advertised position, please contact Boos, Tobias, tobias.boos@univie.ac.at.


The University 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.


To the job advertisment as a PDF file