The University for Continuing Education Krems specializes in part-time academic continuing education. As a public university, it works with its expertise in teaching and research to overcome societal challenges. The university combines many years of experience in continuing academic education with innovation and the highest quality standards in research and teaching.
As an employer, we offer around 700 employees an inspiring and flexible working environment in the unique Wachau World Heritage region.
The following position is available in the Department for Migration and Globalisation at the Faculty of Business and Globalisation:
Postdoctoral Researcher (Quantitative Methods) (m/f/d)
40 hrs./week
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We are seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in quantitative methods, survey research and causal inference to join the international ERC-funded research project MixedRivals, led by Assoc. Prof. Heidrun Bohnet. The position is expected to start on 1 January 2027.
About the project
The ERC project “Mixed (ar)rivals: Perceptions of Threat, Inequality, and the Risk of Violence between Different (Forced) Migrant Groups in North Africa” (MixedRivals) investigates relations between different (forced) migrant groups and the conditions under which these relations become conflictual or, alternatively, foster solidarity and social cohesion (see also: mixedrivals.com). In particular, the project examines how perceived threats, inequalities and competition shape inter-migrant relations and how these dynamics may contribute to social tensions, violence or cohesion.
MixedRivals employs a comparative mixed-methods design, combining qualitative and quantitative research across five North African cities. Now in its third year, the project has collected qualitative data in Tunisia and Egypt, with qualitative data collection in Morocco forthcoming. Building on these insights, the project is expanding its quantitative component across Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, combining survey research and embedded survey experiments.
MixedRivals is carried out by an international and collaborative team consisting of the Principal Investigator, a research assistant, a PhD candidate, two postdoctoral researchers, and a project and communications manager.
Your role
As a postdoctoral researcher in the project, you take a leading role in the design, implementation and analysis of quantitative survey research on migration and inter-group relations in North Africa. Working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and an interdisciplinary international research team, you will co-lead the quantitative research across Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, contribute to the project’s theoretical development, and develop high-quality international publications from the resulting data.
In this position you will
- Survey leadership
- Design and implement online surveys and embedded survey experiments (e.g. vignette and conjoint experiments) in LimeSurvey.
- Lead questionnaire development in close consultation with the Principal Investigator (PI).
- Coordinate survey implementation across Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco, including social media-based participant recruitment.
- Lead the analysis of survey and experimental data using advanced quantitative methods.
- Data collection
- Oversee the implementation of face-to-face survey in cooperation with a survey company in Morocco.
- Ensure high standards of data quality, research ethics compliance and data management throughout the data collection process.
- Contribute to and co-manage the coding of de facto (forced) migration policy data.
- Research
- Develop and submit at least two articles to leading international peer-reviewed journals based on the survey data, in co-authorship with the PI.
- Contribute to theoretical development within the project and to further publications arising from MixedRivals.
- Collaboration
- Present project findings at international conferences, workshops and other academic events.
- Contribute actively to project meetings, workshops, project documentation and grant reporting.
- Collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary and international research team.
Your profile
We require evidence of the following qualifications for the application:
- Completed PhD in political science, conflict studies, social psychology, or a related social science discipline, preferably with distinction (the PhD degree must be awarded at the latest by 15th of December 2026).
- Advanced expertise in quantitative methods, including inferential statistics and causal inference.
- Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation and analysis of online surveys and survey experiments, combined with advanced quantitative skills in R and/or Stata.
- A strong publication record in international peer-reviewed journals, appropriate to career stage, together with excellent analytical and academic writing skills.
- Excellent command of English (minimum C1), both written and spoken.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research team.
- Willingness to relocate to Austria and work regularly on site at Campus Krems.
In addition, the following criteria are desirable:
- Previous research on inter-group perceptions, inequalities, (forced) migration and/or violence
- Knowledge of or experience in North Africa, particularly Morocco
- Knowledge of de facto migration policies in Africa
- Experience with LimeSurvey or comparable survey software.
- Knowledge of qualitative research methods (e.g. interviews) and/or qualitative analysis software such as MAXQDA
- Programming skills (e.g. Python)
- Knowledge of French and/or Arabic
- Previous experience working in international collaborative research projects
Your perspective
- Full-time position (40 hours/week), initially limited to two years.
- Minimum salary of EUR 5,014.30 gross per month (paid 14 times per year) on a full-time basis.
- Classification as a scientific project staff member according to § 49 VwGr. B1, of the Collective Agreement for University Staff (Kollektivvertrag für Universitäten)
- Innovative and international working environment at the Campus Krems
- Flexible working hours and the option to work from home by agreement with line manager
- Comprehensive training, professional development and coaching opportunities
- Family-friendly working conditions and a wide range of services supporting work-life balance
- Workplace health promotion programmes and a range of activities offered by the University Sports Institute (USI)
- The Department for Migration and Globalisation is highly successful in acquiring third-party research funding: The department has led and contributed to many national and international research projects over the last 10 years and coordinated as well as co-operated in many European projects, which will allow the postdoctoral researcher to engage and exchange with colleagues on ongoing research.
The University for Continuing Education Krems, located near Vienna, sees high innovation potential in the diversity of its employees and is committed to diversity as a guiding principle. We therefore explicitly invite people with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses who meet the required profile criteria to apply for the position.
We look forward to receiving your compelling online application by 7 October 2026 via our online tool: https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/vacancies
In order for your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:
- Curriculum Vitae, including publication list and contact details for two or three references
- Motivation letter clearly explaining how you could contribute to the project tasks and how the position fits with your previous and future research agenda
- Two writing samples, preferably first-authored peer-reviewed publications or single-authored academic work (e.g. a chapter of your PhD thesis or a scientific article)
- A brief description of your previous survey research experience, including the surveys and/or datasets you have worked with and your role in their design, implementation and/or analysis, together with appropriate supporting evidence where available
- Copies of degrees and transcripts
The selection process will consist of two interview rounds. The first round is scheduled to take place via Zoom in October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second interview a few weeks later.