12 PhD positions at The University of Vienna

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The University of Vienna announces the vacancy of 12 PhD positions for college assistants within the interdisciplinary doctoral college “Empowerment through Human Rights”. Duration of the posts is three years each; 20 hours part-time employmentat the University of Vienna for the whole period. During this period, the college assistants will work together in the interdisciplinary group and will each write a stand-alone PhD thesis. College assistants can seek participation in related research activities within the institutions involved to an extent of another 20 hours. The deadline for application is 30 September 2009; interviews with applicants will be conducted from 15 October onwards; the planned starting date for all 12 positions is 1 January 2010.

Remuneration is granted on the basis of the current collective agreement of the University of Vienna, amounting to € 16,780.

The four main topics covered by the doctoral college are:
  • The Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable and Discriminated Groups
  • Poverty
  • Migration and Asylum and
  • Consequences of Gross Human Rights Violations, in particular Torture, or Disability on the Individual
The interdisciplinary research activities of the doctoral college will be founded on a “Human Rights Based Approach” (HRBA), which builds the bridge between the different disciplines. This approach offers the possibility to consider certain phenomena, such as migration, poverty or the consequences of gross human rights violations on the individual from a rights-based perspective. Fundamental elements of this approach are empowerment of persons to exercise their rights; obligations on the part of others, in particular States; a system of effective accountability; and the principle of equality and non-discrimination. In addition, participation of members of vulnerable groups in the research activities is an important element of the HRBA. For further information on the substantive contents of the college, please read the extended project information.
 
The college assistants will receive individual supervision of their theses within the respective disciplines by the members of the faculty, Prof. Ursula Kriebaum and Prof. Manfred Nowak (law), Prof. Christoph Reinprecht (sociology), Prof. Walter Schicho (development studies) and Prof. Germain Weber (psychology). In addition, they will be provided with comprehensive interdisciplinary supervision by all members of the faculty. The members of the faculty and other renowned guest lecturers end expert practitioners will hold a variety of courses, workshops and tutorials jointly in the interdisciplinary setting of the group. Instructions in additional skills such as scientific writing and publishing, project acquisition and management as well as involvement in university teaching through individual and joint courses will complete the academic curriculum for the college assistants.
  
The cooperation between the disciplines will provide the college assistants with an extensive understanding of the complex interactions between root causes of, mitigation strategies against and consequences of human rights violations.

About the requirements:
Applicants for the PhD positions must hold a four year masters’ degree or equivalent in disciplines related to the college’s topic. They must demonstrate previous human rights related experience in the academic and/or practical field. Very good knowledge of English (academic level) is required as the research work will be conducted in English.

Applicants who wish to be considered for the position should submit via email only:

  • A letter of motivation.
  • A research proposal of maximum 5 pages in English based on the research topics of the doctoral college “Empowerment through Human Rights”, planned publications, and a progress plan.
  • Curriculum vitae in English. Please use the Europass CV template provided on the Platform website. Include names and contact details for at least two references as indicated in the template.
  • If applicable, a complete list of published and unpublished works.
  • Copies of grades and transcripts. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.
  • Applicants who are not native speakers of English must document their proficiency in English
It is a requirement that the applicant will be able to complete the PhD thesis in the course of the period of appointment.

The University of Vienna wishes to employ more women and scholars with minority backgrounds to academic posts and encourage their applications.

Contact:
Forschungsplattform
Human Rights in the European Context
Universität Wien
Freyung 6, 1. Hof, Stiege II
A-1010 Wien

T: +43 1 4277 – 22301
F: +43 1 4277 – 9223

For more information, follow this link: http://human-rights.univie.ac.at/index.php