Assistant Professor, tenure track (qualification agreement)

WU; Wien; On-site; EUR 61,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Training opportunities

Meal allowance

Employee discounts

Campus life

Job summary

The Institute for Statistics and Mathematics at WU Vienna invites applications for a full-time statistician. You will conduct independent research, supervise students, and contribute to teaching (4 hours per week).

The appointment is limited to six years with a potential permanent follow-up after successful qualification. We seek a PhD in mathematics or statistics, a strong publication record, and international experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in mathematics or statistics and a strong publication record.
• Independently driven research profile with international experience.
• Willingness to collaborate across theory and applications.

Responsibilities

• Carry out independent research and supervise students in statistics.
• Contribute to teaching (4 hours per week) and service activities.
• Develop methods bridging mathematical foundations and computational approaches.

Skills

Independent research

Supervision

Collaborative research

Statistical methodology

Education

PhD in mathematics or statistics

MSc or diploma in mathematics or statistics

Job description

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 Institute for Statistics and Mathematics.

Fulltime, 40 hours/week Starting October 01, 2027, and limited for 6 years.

A qualification agreement will be concluded at the start of the employment (§ 27 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement). Pursuant to WU’s Personnel Development Plan, this position can only be fixed-term for up to six years. Once all objectives agreed upon in the qualification agreement have been fulfilled, the employment relationship can be made permanent. Employees who have successfully completed a qualification agreement are classified as associate professors. From an organizational regulation perspective they belong to the group of professors. Three years after successful completion of the qualification agreement, they are entitled to apply for promotion to full professor according to the By-laws of WU § 43a.

What to expect

The successful applicant will carry out independent research and supervision activities in the field of Statistics. We seek a statistician working at the intersection of statistical methodology, mathematical foundations, and computational methods. The focus is on

• developing novel, implementable methods for current problems in decision making under uncertainty, and on
• rigorously analyzing those methods from mathematical, numerical, and computational perspectives.

We value research that combines mathematical depth, substantial computational content, and relevance to business, finance, economics, or other substantive application areas in the social and environmental sciences.

The intended scope is methodological research. Work focused primarily on abstract theory or on the routine application of existing methods falls outside this scope.

In line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, teaching duties associated with the position initially comprise 4 hours per week; they can be in quantitative education programs at WU at all levels (bachelor, master and PhD).

What you have to offer

You hold a diploma or an MSc as well as a PhD in mathematics, statistics or equivalent.

We expect scientific excellence and an established or emerging independent research profile, as evidenced by publications in internationally recognized journals, international experience, and other achievements commensurate with the candidate's career stage.

Proven academic mobility either by (i) having completed their PhD or doctoral studies at a university other than WU, or (ii) having held at least two consecutive years of postdoctoral employment (tenure-track or non-tenure-track) with a minimum workload of 20 hours per week at another university or a reputable non-university research institution.

First managerial experience (e.g., acquisition and/or management of third-party projects) is an advantage. German language skills are not a prerequisite, but we expect the willingness to acquire proficiency in German over time.

Candidates should demonstrate how their research complements existing faculty expertise and contributes to broadening the Institute’s research profile through synergies and collaborations.

Required submission materials:

• Cover letter
• CV (incl. list of publications and talks)
• A list of up to three publications or working papers that the candidate considers most relevant to this position, accompanied by a brief statement describing each paper’s main insight, methodological contribution, and relevance to the Institute’s research profile.
• Research statement (research interests and future agenda, max. 1 page)
• Teaching statement (teaching experience and teaching philosophy, max. 1 page)
• Two reference letters or the names of at least two references

Other documents supporting your application may be submitted as well.

Please do not submit full papers.

For details of the position, please contact Professor David Preinerstorfer ([phone]) or Professor Kurt Hornik ([phone]).

What we offer you

• 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 lifewith over 2,400 employees in research, teaching, and administration and approximately 21,500 students
• Excellent accessibility by public transportation
• A top business and economics university with renowned experts on the faculty and a diverse range of subjects, triple accredited
• Excellent infrastructure, both technologically and architecturally, and a wide range of WU service units
• Meaningful work in a pleasant working atmosphere

Travel and lodging expenses: ln case you are invited to a job talk at WU, the Institute for Statistics and Mathematics will refund your travel costs on usual terms.

The minimum monthly gross salary amounts to €5,980.80 (14 times per year). In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive social benefits.

January 6, 2027 (ID 2955)

WU is committed to diversity and inclusion and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from women. 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.