Alternative position: 2 project staff members pre-doc or 1 project staff member post doc

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• Vienna University of Economics and Business
• Research, development, teaching
• Full/part time
• published till: 2026-09-02

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
Institut für Organization Design
30 hours/week (for Pre-Doc) or 40 hours/week (for Post-Doc)
Starting as soon as possible, and limited until August 31, 2030 The Institute for Organization Design (Department of Strategy & Innovation) has a research and teaching focus on strategic management (particularly strategic leadership and corporate governance), organizational change, and organization design. In our research, we cooperate with a well-established network of international scholars (e.g., Wharton, Rice, Rotterdam, ESADE, Bocconi). We are looking for highly motivated, proactive, and productive researchers, who will be expected to make a significant contribution to our research areas and to the successful implementation of our third-party-funded projects.

What to expect

Pre-Doc:

• Conduct research: Independently plan and carry out high-quality, practice-relevant research in Strategic Leadership and/or Corporate Governance within the thematic framework of our third-party-funded projects.
• Write your dissertation: One third of your working time will be dedicated to writing your doctoral dissertation. Your research will form the basis of manuscripts for submission to international academic journals.
• Complete doctoral training: You will enroll in WU’s doctoral program and complete doctoral courses as part of your academic training.
• Engage in international research exchange: You will regularly present and discuss your research at international conferences (e.g., Academy of Management Annual Meeting) and in our Institute’s PhD seminar.
• Collaborate with leading international scholars: Work with renowned academics and build your international research network.
• Gain teaching experience: You will design and teach your own course, particularly capstone projects with corporate partners (listed companies and hidden champions).
• Support students: Advise students and co-supervise bachelor’s and master’s theses.
• Collaborate with companies: Work with leading national and international companies in research and teaching.
• Increase the impact of your research: Help organize practitioner events related to your research and communicate your findings to academic, professional, and wider public audiences.
• Contribute to Institute activities: Independently assume responsibility for administrative and organizational tasks related to research, teaching, and academic self-governance.
• Pursue professional development: Access subject-specific training to strengthen your skills in research and teaching.

Post-Doc:

• Build your publication record: Play a central role in third-party-funded research projects in Strategic Leadership and Corporate Governance and develop high-quality academic papers from these projects in collaboration with the Institute’s senior faculty. You will be expected to co-author and publish this research in leading international peer-reviewed journals.
• Advance your research profile: Receive active support for your academic and professional development
• Lead research projects: Take responsibility for leading third-party-funded research projects, including project management, stakeholder management, and coordination.
• Expand your international research network: Connect with leading international scholars and present and discuss your work at international conferences.
• Shape a collaborative research environment: Present and discuss your work in the Institute’s research seminars, contribute to its intellectual community, and mentor doctoral candidates.
• Collaborate with industry partners: Work with leading national and international companies in research and teaching.
• Increase the impact of your research: Help organize practitioner events and communicate your research findings to academic, professional, and wider public audiences.
• Teach and supervise students: Take responsibility for developing and delivering courses, particularly capstone projects conducted with corporate partners (international listed companies and hidden champions). You will also supervise student theses.

What you have to offer

Pre-Doc:

• Academic degree: You have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration (preferably) or a related field that qualifies you for admission to a doctoral program at WU.
• Subject expertise: You have a strong academic background in Strategic Management, particularly in Corporate Governance (Boards of directors) and/ or Strategic Leadership (Top management teams).
• Methodological skills: You have experience in quantitative empirical research and statistical or econometric analysis using software such as Stata or R and/or in natural language processing using Python or R.
• Commitment to academic research: You are strongly motivated to pursue a doctoral dissertation and contribute to publications in leading international journals in Strategic Management.
• Key competencies: You have excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and organizational skills. You are a highly motivated team player who’s willing to take responsibility.
• Language skills: You have excellent written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of German is an advantage.
• Interest in teaching: You are highly motivated to develop your teaching skills and have the potential to excel in teaching. You are willing to use multimedia and digital teaching and learning formats.

Post-Doc:

• Academic degree: You have completed (or are close to completing) an outstanding PhD in Business Administration (preferably) or a related field, with strong conceptual and quantitative methodological training.
• Subject expertise: You have a strong academic background in Strategic Management, particularly in Strategic Leadership and/or Corporate Governance, as demonstrated by your doctoral research, working papers, or publications.
• Methodological skills: You have strong expertise in quantitative empirical research and statistical or econometric analysis using software such as Stata or R and/or in natural language processing using Python or R.
• Commitment to academic research: You are strongly committed to publishing in leading international journals in Strategic Management and motivated to contribute to the Institute’s research agenda.
• Key competencies: You have excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and organizational skills. You are a highly motivated team player, take ownership of your work, and demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills.
• Project management skills: You have experience in independently leading and further developing research or collaborative projects. You demonstrate a high degree of initiative, strategic thinking, and a strong focus on implementation.
• Impact orientation: You have a strong interest in collaborating with companies and conducting research relevant to practice.
• Language skills: You have excellent written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of German is an advantage.
• Teaching experience: You are highly motivated to excel in teaching and have experience teaching at the undergraduate level in English and/or German. You have experience with multimedia and digital teaching and learning formats or are willing to develop these skills.

Application Procedure:

Required application documents (in this order):

• a cover letter outlining your motivation for an academic career, research interests, and the earliest possible starting date
• CV
• contact details for at least two academic references (name, affiliation, email address)
• transcript of records
• copies of relevant certificates
• other relevant documents.

Candidates for the Pre-Doc positions should also provide a pdf copy of their MA thesis or other research-oriented output (e.g., BA thesis, seminar papers).

Candidates for the Post-Doc position should also provide evidence of research quality and thematic fit (e.g., as demonstrated by a job market paper and additional working papers or published academic articles).

You can submit all application documents either in English or in German. Please submit your application via the WU online application tool.

We will review applications on a continuous basis.

Questions may be directed to Prof. Dr. Patricia Klarner (pklarner@wu.ac.at).

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 €2,832.08 (for Pre-Docs) (14 times per year) and may be adjusted based on job-related prior work experience. The minimum monthly gross salary amounts to €5,014.30 (for Post-Doc) (14 times per year) and may be adjusted based on equivalent 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 September 02, 2026 (ID 2881).
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
WU is committed to diversity and inclusion and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from women. Not sure if your profile fully matches our requirements? Apply anyway! In case of equal qualification, female candidates will be given preference. Applicants with disabilities will be supported throughout each stage of the recruitment process. Candidates‘ qualifications will be assessed in the context of their academic age.