Webster Vienna Private University (WVPU) is a research-led private university in Vienna, Austria, driven by a commitment to advancing understanding of the forces that shape economic and socio-political change across interconnected levels of analysis.
For over 40 years, WVPU has provided its students with an internationally competitive, American-style liberal arts education in the heart of Europe and is also part of Webster University’s global network of campuses.
We offer accredited programs in Business and Management, International Relations and Security Studies, Media Communications, Psychology, Computer Science and Comparative International Business Law (currently under accreditation by AQ Austria).
WVPU invites applications for the position of:
Head of the Department of International Relations
at the rank of Associate or Full Professor (f/m/d)
Research Profile: Quantitative Security Studies
Full-time (40 hours/week)
Starting date: Spring 2027
Initial contract limited for 5 years, with the possibility of extension (to unlimited contract)
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 recognised 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 modelling, 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 modelling, 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.
Main 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 / 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 programme-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.
Your profile includes:
- 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 specialisation 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:
- A department vision statement, including the candidate’s view of the department’s future research profile, methodological development, infrastructure and personnel needs, programme development, and international visibility, maximum 3 pages.
- Academic curriculum vitae including
- education and training (please attach all required diplomas as indicated above)
- positions held to date
- awards and honours
- 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)
- 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
- Research statement
- research statement, including current research and planned research activities for the next five years, maximum 3 pages.
- Diversity and inclusion statement
- diversity and inclusion statement describing your commitment to diversity and contribution to an inclusive professional environment, maximum 400 words.
- Three referees who will provide letters of recommendation upon request.
All applications must be sent online via our Webpage: Please apply here!
Deadline for applications: September 16, 2026
WVPU is an equal opportunity employer – we are committed to a non-discriminatory employment policy and a diverse and inclusive community.
https://webster.ac.at/academics/missionandvalues/join-wvpu.php
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 etc.): https://www.webster.ac.at/academics/missionandvalues/join-wvpu.php
- 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 is EUR 83,000 at the Associate Professor level and EUR 94,000 at the Full Professor level (based on a 40-hour work week). An additional functional allowance applies to the appointment as Head of the Department.
The applicant must have the legal right to work in Austria.
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: Tax regulations
For questions related to your application, please contact the HR Department: [email protected] at WVPU, Praterstraße 23, A – 1020 Vienna.
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