University assistant predoctoral

The University of Vienna is currently seeking a University assistant predoctoral for the Faculty of Computer Science. Job vacancy starting: 01.12.2026. Working hours: 30.00. Classification CBA: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc). Limited contract until: 30.11.2029. Job ID: 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.

Your personal sphere of influence

The predoctoral position is based in the newly established Computer Science Education Group 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.

Your future tasks

• You work 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.
• You finalize your dissertation agreement within 12 months.
• You hold courses independently within the scope of the collective bargaining agreement.
• You take on administrative tasks in research, teaching and administration.

Requirements

• Completed Master's degree or Diploma in 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.
• 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 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 at C1 level.
• Structured, independent and reliable work style, ability to work in a team, strong communication skills and passion for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Desirable qualifications

• Knowledge or experience in 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 evaluation of teaching and learning settings.

What we offer

• Work-life balance with flexible working hours and partial remote work.
• Inspiring working atmosphere as part of an international academic team in a healthy and fair working environment.
• Good public transport connections.
• Internal further training and coaching with over 600 free courses.
• Fair salary: basic salary of EUR 3.776,10 on a full-time basis, paid 14 times a year, with possible increase for credited professional experience.
• Equal opportunities for all.

Application

Apply with scientific curriculum vitae or letter of intent, a cover letter, a brief outline of potential dissertation topics, proof of completion of a master’s or diploma program, abstract of the master’s or diploma thesis and, if available, publications, teaching experience, classroom experience, project collaboration or academic presentations. Optional: a representative writing sample.

If you have any questions, please contact Bernhard Standl at bernhard.standl@univie.ac.at.

Application deadline: 19.10.2026. .