Teaching and Research Assistant

  • Vienna University of Economics and Business
  • Research, development, teaching
  • Part time
  • published till: 18.12.2024
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 International Political Economy
Part-time, 8 hours/week
Starting January 01, 2025, and ending after 1 year

Please note that pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, only students who have not yet completed a master or diploma degree program can be employed.
 
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Teaching and Research Assistant to join the Institute for International Political Economy. Do you want to better understand how politics shapes economics and how economics influences politics? Are you eager to explore the politics of trade, investment, and finance? If so, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative teaching and cutting-edge research while gaining valuable experience in data analysis, academic writing, and organizational tasks. This role is ideal for those looking to sharpen their skills in preparation for PhD applications or careers in research institutes, think tanks, or advocacy organizations. 
 
We explicitly recognize the positive value of diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We aim to recruit the candidate best suited to the role and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including all ages, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions, and beliefs. We particularly encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and candidates from minority groups, as these groups are often underrepresented in the academic sector. Additionally, we offer flexibility in our work environment to accommodate diverse life circumstances, including adaptable working hours, recognition of religious holidays, and the possibility of remote work.
 
Important: Only individuals who do not hold a diploma or master’s degree can be considered for the position of a teaching and research assistant.

What to expect

Teaching Support
  • Assist in the preparation of lecture materials, including developing case studies, identifying real-world examples, and summarizing relevant literature.
  • Create and update teaching materials, such as slide decks, handouts, and other learning documents.
  • Help design and maintain engaging online learning environments (e.g., CANVAS, Moodle), including uploading content and managing course structure.
  • Support examination-related tasks, including assisting with the creation of exam questions, administering exams, and grading assignments.
  • Collaborate on the development of innovative methods to enhance student engagement, including leveraging social media (e.g., instagram) and other digital platforms.
            
Research Assistance
  • Assist in Research activities, including literature reviews, data collection, and case study preparation in the field of international political economy.
  • Conduct data management tasks, such as cleaning, reshaping, and merging datasets, using STATA or R.
  • Perform statistical analyses and create visualizations to support teaching and research activities.
  • Assist with coding qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Draft summaries, reports, and presentations of research findings as needed.
Organizational and Administrative Support
  • Contribute to the creation of promotional materials for events, courses, and programs.
  • Participate in the planning and execution of institute events and activities for current students, alumni, and external stakeholders.

What you have to offer

Teaching Support
  • Familiarity with creating and managing content on online learning platforms (e.g., CANVAS, Moodle).
  • Interest in innovative teaching methods with the ability to engage and inspire students in a university setting.
  • Knowledge of LaTeX and Beamer for preparing professional lecture materials is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with innovative didactic approaches, such as case-based learning or gamification, is a plus.
 
Research Assistance
  • Proficiency in Stata or R for quantitative data management and analysis, including tasks such as data cleaning, reshaping, merging datasets, and performing basic statistical analyses.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, perform statistical analyses, and create clear, effective visualizations.
 
Third Mission Activities
  • Experience in designing content for social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn) to effectively engage student and alumni communities.
 
Other Skills and Competencies
  • Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English; proficiency in German is a plus.
  • Interest in international political economy or related fields.
  • A conscientious, detail-oriented, and independent working style.
  • Organizational and Time Management Skills, such as the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines in a structured and systematic manner.
  • Initiative and the ability to contribute your own ideas are essential. In our open and low-hierarchy institute structure, we expect proactivity, independence, and a willingness to collaborate.
  • A high degree of cultural sensitivity is essential for working in our diverse, international team, which includes colleagues from countries such as Colombia, Iran, Latvia, Indonesia, the USA, Germany, and Austria.
  • You are curious, ambitious, and enthusiastic about academic work. You approach new challenges systematically and innovatively while being open to new ideas. You demonstrate responsibility, reliability, resilience, and flexibility. We seek individuals who are passionate and committed to actively shaping the academic and social life of the institute.
 
Full applications include: 
  • Data Visualization Example: Provide a data visualization (e.g., graph, chart, or infographic) created using Stata or R, accompanied by the relevant do-file or script. The visualization should be designed for use in a university-level course to explain a concept or trend of your choice. Use a dataset of your choice to highlight a key insight. Include a brief explanation (max. 200 words) describing how the visualization would enhance student understanding.
  • Alumni Engagement Proposal: Submit a proposal (max. 2 pages) outlining an innovative, cost-effective alumni engagement initiative focused on leveraging the alumni network to attract high school students to WU. Your proposal should explain how the initiative benefits both groups and include specific, actionable strategies that require minimal financial resources while maximizing engagement.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Submit a comprehensive CV that clearly details how and where you acquired the skills and qualifications relevant to this position.
  • Proof of Enrollment: Provide a current certificate of enrollment to confirm your student status.

What we offer you

  • Inspiring campus life with over 2,400 employees in research, teaching, and administration and approximately 21,500 students
  • A modern campus with spectacular architecture in the heart of Vienna
  • Excellent accessibility by public transportation
  • Meaningful work in an open-minded, inclusive, and family-friendly environment
  • Flexible working hours
  • A wide range of benefits, from an in-house medical officer to athletic activities and a meal allowance to a variety of employee discounts
Curious? Visit our website and find out more at www.wu.ac.at/benefits

The monthly gross salary amounts to €519.84.

Do you want to join the WU team?
Then please submit your application by December 18, 2024 (ID 2268).
We are looking forward to hearing from you!