About this position:We are currently seeking a Doctoral Researcher (Prae-Doc) to join the FWF ASTRA project RE-SECURE - Remaking Security: Technopolitics in the Global East, led by Dr. Dagmar Vorlíček, at the Department of Sociology. If you are passionate about interdisciplinary research on security, and would like to contribute to an innovative international research project, we look forward to your application.Start date: 1st October 2026 Duration: 4 years Extent: 30 hours/week (0.75 FTE)About the project:RE-SECURE - Remaking Security: Technopolitics in the Global East explores how expertise developed under past political regimes can be renegotiated and adapted for new security purposes. Focusing on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as a region marked by profound political transformations from the Cold War to the present, the project rethinks the study of security by theorizing how ways of "doing security" are shaped by history, technology, and global connections. The project will examine both the symbolic and material dimensions of remaking security, while combining desk research, archival work, and field research. By analysing how technoscientific practices interact with societal understandings of risk and global politics, RE-SECURE will develop an original, historically grounded, and decentered perspective on security from the perspective of the "Global East."Your future tasks:As a doctoral researcher, you will develop your own dissertation project within the framework of RE-SECURE while contributing actively to the collaborative research agenda.Your responsibilities include:Building an independent research profile in sociology of securityDeveloping and conducting a case study on science diplomacy in AustriaPlanning and executing qualitative empirical research (combining interviews, document analysis, and archival research)Contributing to comparative and conceptual work across the project's case studiesPublishing and presenting research results nationally and internationallyParticipating in project meetings, workshops, and research activities of the departmentContributing to literature reviews, conceptual development, and joint publications of the RE-SECURE teamEngaging in the broader academic life of the facultyYou will receive structured supervision and mentoring, including support in academic writing, publishing strategies, research design, and grant writing. Your profile:Completed MA degree (or equivalent) in sociology, political science, STS, international relations, history, or a related disciplineStrong interest in security studies, sociology of expertise, and/or technopoliticsSolid grounding in qualitative research methodsDemonstrated research competence and strong analytical skillsExcellent written and spoken English, knowledge of German is an advantageExperience with archival or field research is an assetAbility to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team What we offer:Integration into an ambitious FWF-funded international research projectClose supervision and structured mentoring by the PITraining in grant writing, academic publishing, and project managementOpportunities to develop an interdisciplinary profile in security studiesSupport in career development and future academic applicationsA dynamic and collaborative research environmentThe 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.Salary according to the FWF salary rates (prae-doc level). How to apply:Please submit the following documents in a single PDF file:Motivation letter (max. 2-3 pages), outlining your research interests and how you would contribute to the project RE-SECUREAcademic CVWriting sample (e.g., MA thesis or article manuscript)Contact details of two academic referees (name, institutional affiliation, email address)Via our job portal/ Apply now - buttonIf you have any questions, please contact:Dagmar Vorlicek 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.University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.Data protection Application deadline: 06/30/2026 Apply now