University assistant predoctoral

1000scholars; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Partial remote work

Internal training & coaching

Good public transport connections

Job summary

University of Vienna seeks a predoc researcher to complete a dissertation in computer science education, with focus on computational thinking and AI literacy. You will develop CS education workshops for teaching-learning labs and schools, conduct empirical studies, and publish findings while collaborating with an international team.

The role is embedded in the Computer Science Education Group (CSEG) within the EDEN research group, offering strong opportunities for national and international

Qualifications

• Master's degree or diploma in computer science, teaching digital literacy and computer science, or a related field with focus on CS teaching and learning processes.
• Strong interest in CS education, AI literacy, computational thinking and empirical teaching and learning research.
• Willingness to work on a dissertation in CS education.
• Excellent command of German and English (C1 level).
• Structured, independent, reliable work style with teamwork and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work on your dissertation and completion in CS education, focusing on computational thinking and AI literacy.
• Develop and test CS education workshops and teaching-learning scenarios for the Lab and schools.
• Conduct workshops in the Lab and school-based settings.
• Perform empirical research, evaluate results, and refine concepts.
• Author academic publications, conference papers and presentations.
• Participate in research-based teaching and school collaboration initiatives.

Skills

Programming

Digital tools

CS teaching & learning

German & English proficiency

Education

Master's degree or Diploma in computer science/CS education

Tools

Job description

The University of Vienna is a community of almost 11,000 individuals, including approximately 7,700 academic staff members, who passionately pursue answers to the profound questions that shape our future. They represent individuals driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With us, they find the space to try things out and unfold their potential. Are you inspired by their passion and determination? We are currently seeking a/an University assistant predoctoral

39 Faculty of Computer Science

Startdate: 01.12.2026 | Working hours: 30 | Collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)

Limited until: 30.11.2029

Reference no.: 6260

The employment duration is 3 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 3 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a declaration of non-extension. With appropriate work progress, an extension to a total maximum of 4 years is possible.

Explore and teach at the University of Vienna, where more than 7,500 academics thrive on curiosity in continuous exploration and help us better understand our world. Does this sound like you? Then join our accomplished team!

The predoctoral position is based in the newly established "Computer Science Education Group" (CSEG) within the "Didactics of Computer Science" professorship, led by Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr.techn. Bernhard Standl in the EDEN research group at the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of Vienna. The position is situated within the research fields of computational thinking and AI literacy. The dissertation will focus on computer science education, with an emphasis on the empirical investigation of teaching and learning processes related to fundamental computational ways of thinking and acting, such as problem-solving processes, abstraction, modeling and pattern recognition as well as the understanding, application and reflection on artificial intelligence. A central research environment is the Computer Science Teaching and Learning Lab, where teaching and learning scenarios are developed, tested, empirically investigated and further refined in both school and university contexts. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to a newly emerging research group, write a cumulative dissertation in computer science education and engage with national and international research networks. The selected predoctoral researcher will also be integrated into the UniVie Doctoral School of Computer Science (DoCS).

Your future tasks:

• You are working on your dissertation and its completion in the field of computer science education, specifically on computational thinking, AI literacy, fundamental concepts in computer science or digital literacy.
• You develop and test computer science education workshops and teaching-learning scenarios for the Computer Science Teaching-Learning Lab and for use in schools.
• You conduct these workshops in the Computer Science Teaching and Learning Lab and in school-based collaborative settings.
• You conduct empirical research on the developed teaching and learning scenarios, evaluate the results and iteratively refine the concepts.
• You author academic publications, conference papers and presentations.
• You participate in research-based teaching as well as in school collaboration initiatives, knowledge transfer activities and organizational tasks within the research group.
• We expect you to finalize your dissertation agreement within 12 months.
• You hold courses independently within the scope of the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.

Requirements

• Completed Master's degree or Diploma in the field of computer science, teaching digital literacy and computer science, computer science education or a related field with a clear focus on computer science or computer science teaching and learning processes.
• A strong interest in computer science education, AI literacy, computational thinking and empirical teaching and learning research.
• Willingness to work on a dissertation in the field of computer science education.
• Basic knowledge of empirical research methods or a willingness to develop these skills further.
• Strong computer science and technical skills, particularly in programming, digital tools or computer science teaching and learning settings.
• Excellent command of written and spoken German and English (C1 Level).
• A structured, independent and reliable work style, ability to work in a team, strong communication skills and a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Desirable qualifications include:

• Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas: computational thinking, programming, algorithmic thinking, physical computing, robotics, modeling, basic computer science education, AI literacy or general digital literacy.
• Experience in schools, teacher education, learning support or educational work.
• Initial experience with qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods research designs, design-based research, instructional development or the evaluation of teaching and learning settings.

Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours and can partially work remotely.

Inspiring working atmosphere: You are a part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.

Good public transport connections: Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport.

Internal further training & Coaching: Opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis. There are over 600 courses to choose from - free of charge.

Fair salary: The basic salary of EUR 3.776,10 (on a full-time basis) (paid 14 times a year) increases if we can credit professional experience.

Duration of contract: The employment duration is 3 years. Initially limited to 1.5 years, the employment relationship is automatically extended to 3 years if the employer does not terminate it within the first 12 months by submitting a declaration of non-extension. With appropriate work progress, an extension to a total maximum of 4 years is possible.

Equal opportunities for all: We welcome every additional/new personality to the team!

Application materials

• With your scientific curriculum vitae / letter of intent
• A cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for the position and the research field of computational thinking / computer science education
• A brief outline of potential dissertation topics, approx. 1-2 pages
• Proof of completion of a master’s or diploma program
• Abstract of your master’s or diploma thesis
• If available: list of publications, proof of teaching experience, classroom experience, project collaboration or academic presentations
• Optional: a representative writing sample, e.g., master’s thesis, seminar paper or publication

If you have any questions, please contact:

Bernhard Standl

[e-mail]

We look forward to new personalities in our team!

The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women and diversity. We place particular emphasis on enhancing women’s representation among the academic and general university staff, particularly in leadership roles, and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates.

University of Vienna. Space for personalities. Since 1365.

Data protection

Application deadline: 10/19/2026

Prae Doc