Head of the Department of International Relations at the rank of Associate or Full Professor (f/m/d)

WVPU invites applications to fill a full-time (40 hours/week) faculty position of
Head of the Department of International Relations at the rank of Associate or Full
Professor (f/m/d). Initial contract limited for five years, with the possibility of extension (to unlimited
contract).

Starting date: Spring 2027

Research Profile: Quantitative Security Studies

The Department of International Relations at WVPU has a well-established research
profile in the study of international institutions, regional integration, international
relations theory and global security.

WVPU seeks an internationally recognized scholar with a strong research profile in
Quantitative Security Studies to lead and further develop a lean but methodologically plural department. The successful
candidate will have a demonstrated record of excellent research combining statistical analysis, computational social science, formal modeling and data-driven
methods. Areas of particular interest include the quantitative study of geopolitical and
geoeconomic risk and interstate conflict, deterrence, alliance politics, civil war,
(counter)insurgency, border disputes, cyber and ecological security, migration-related
security risks, or the international political economy of security.

The appointment is intended to add senior expertise in quantitative, formal, computational
and data-driven approaches while also supporting high-quality research and teaching
across different traditions in International Relations and Security Studies. We are
especially interested in candidates whose work applies advanced quantitative or computational
methods to questions of strategic and policy relevance, including conflict forecasting,
scenario modeling, geopolitical risk assessment, network analysis, sanctions dynamics,
supply-chain dependencies, alliance networks, geospatial analysis and the geography
of conflict. Familiarity with major security- and conflict-related datasets and data
infrastructures is expected.

Responsibilities

• Department Leadership
  • Lead the scientific and administrative operations of the department.
  • Develop the department’s research agenda, academic strategy and international visibility,
    while supporting methodological pluralism.
  • Oversee the development, delivery and periodic revision of relevant curricula.
• Research
  • Maintain an active and internationally visible research agenda appropriate to an R3/R4
    career stage and the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
  • Publish in leading peer-reviewed journals in international relations, security studies,
    peace and conflict research, political science or related fields.
  • Acquire and lead externally funded research projects from national or international
    funding bodies.
  • Build and maintain international academic and policy-relevant networks.
  • Contribute to the development of a sustainable research environment in quantitative,
    formal, computational and policy-relevant security studies.
• Academic Administration and Mentorship
  • Mentor junior faculty and support their career development.
  • Integrate early-career researchers into research projects and funding applications.
  • Supervise theses (at all levels).
  • Contribute to accreditation, quality assurance and program-development processes.
• Teaching
  • Maintain a teaching load appropriate to the position and WVPU’s workload model.
  • Support curriculum development in quantitative, formal, computational and data-driven
    approaches to international security and conflict.
• External Engagement
  • Build relationships with external partners.
  • Contribute to WVPU’s public visibility in international relations and security studies.

Requirements

• A PhD in Political Science, International Relations, International Security, Security
  Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a closely related social-science discipline.
• A demonstrated research specialization in quantitative security studies, conflict
  studies, international security, political violence, geoeconomic risk or computational
  approaches to international relations.
• A habilitation or equivalent post-doctoral qualification, experience or scholarly
  record appropriate to the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• A strong publication record in leading journals in international relations, security
  studies, peace and conflict research, political science or related fields, especially
  where the candidate’s work demonstrates quantitative, formal, computational, experimental
  or data-driven approaches.
• A record of acquiring, leading and substantially contributing to externally funded
  research projects.
• Experience in mentoring and supporting early-career researchers.
• Pedagogical and didactic ability, with evidence of successful university-level teaching.
• An active international network with academic and non-academic stakeholders.
• A commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Demonstrated social and gender competence; proven experience in the promotion of young
  researchers and the advancement of female colleagues.
• Fluency in English, German desirable.

Your Application

When applying, please provide the following documents:

1. Department vision statement, including the candidate’s view of the department’s future research profile, methodological
   development, infrastructure and personnel needs, program development and international
   visibility (max. three pages).
2. Academic curriculum vitae including:
   • education and training (please attach all required diplomas as indicated above)
   • positions held to date
   • awards and honors
   • complete list of acquired third-party funding including cooperation partners, roles
     in projects and funding amounts
   • teaching and mentoring experience
   • supervision experience (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels)
3. List of publications and conferences:
   • complete and current publication list (including e.g. ORCID link)
   • list of conference presentations, invited talks and keynote lectures
   • two key publications as electronic full text PDF files, selected for their relevance
     to this position
4. Research statement: current research and planned research activities for the next five years (max. three
   pages)
   Diversity and inclusion statement: a statement describing your commitment to diversity and contribution to an inclusive
   professional environment (max. 400 words)
5. Three referees who will provide letters of recommendation upon request.

All applications must be sent online.

Deadline for applications: Sept. 16, 2026

The applicant must have the legal right to work in Austria.

WVPU is an equal opportunity employer — we are committed to a non-discriminatory employment
policy and a diverse and inclusive community.

The University places special emphasis on increasing the number of women among faculty
and in senior academic positions. Women and members of underrepresented groups are
particularly encouraged to apply.

Our Offer

• The opportunity to shape, grow and contribute to the success of the Department of
  International Relations at WVPU.
• Long term employment perspective.
• Membership in a highly engaged and international academic community.
• Research support services.
• Budgeted resources for research and infrastructure.
• Flexible working hours, home office, work-from-anywhere.
• Numerous employee benefits (private pension fund, public transportation subsidy, training
  and development opportunities, occupational health, social events and more).
• We provide modern facilities in a top location in Vienna’s 2nd district (Palais Wenkheim),
  next to the subway station.

The minimum annual gross compensation for this position, based on a 40-hour work week,
is 83,000 euros at the Associate Professor level and 94,000 euros at the Full Professor
level. An additional functional allowance applies to the appointment as Head of the
Department.

For information only — WVPU assumes no legal responsibility: foreign researchers or
scientists moving to Austria from abroad may be eligible for tax benefits under applicable
Austrian tax regulations (PDF).