Project staff members wanted

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 Organization Design
30 hours/week (for Predoc) or 40 hours/week (for Postdoc)
Starting as soon as possible, and limited until August 31, 2030

The Institute for Organization Design (Department of Strategy & Innovation) has a research 
and teaching focus on strategic management (particularly strategic leadership and corporate 
governance), organizational change, and organization design. In our research, we cooperate 
with a well-established network of international scholars (e.g., Wharton, Rice, Rotterdam, 
ESADE, Bocconi). We are looking for highly motivated, proactive, and productive 
researchers, who will be expected to make a significant contribution to our research areas and 
to the successful implementation of our third-party-funded projects.

What to expect (Predoc):
• Conduct research: Independently plan and carry out high-quality, practice-relevant 
research in Strategic Leadership and/or Corporate Governance within the thematic 
framework of our third-party-funded projects.
• Write your dissertation: One third of your working time will be dedicated to writing 
your doctoral dissertation. Your research will form the basis of manuscripts for 
submission to international academic journals. 
• Complete doctoral training: You will enroll in WU’s doctoral program and complete 
doctoral courses as part of your academic training.
• Engage in international research exchange: You will regularly present and discuss 
your research at international conferences (e.g., Academy of Management Annual 
Meeting) and in our Institute’s PhD seminar.
• Collaborate with leading international scholars: Work with renowned academics 
and build your international research network.
• Gain teaching experience: You will design and teach your own course, particularly 
capstone projects with corporate partners (listed companies and hidden champions).
• Support students: Advise students and co-supervise bachelor’s and master’s theses.
• Collaborate with companies: Work with leading national and international 
companies in research and teaching.
• Increase the impact of your research: Help organize practitioner events related to 
your research and communicate your findings to academic, professional, and wider 
public audiences.
• Contribute to Institute activities: Independently assume responsibility for 
administrative and organizational tasks related to research, teaching, and academic 
self-governance.
• Pursue professional development: Access subject-specific training to strengthen 
your skills in research and teaching.

Postdoc:
• Build your publication record: Play a central role in third-party-funded research 
projects in Strategic Leadership and Corporate Governance and develop high-quality 
academic papers from these projects in collaboration with the Institute’s senior 
faculty. You will be expected to co-author and publish this research in leading 
international peer-reviewed journals.
• Advance your research profile: Receive active support for your academic and 
professional development 
• Lead research projects: Take responsibility for leading third-party-funded research 
projects, including project management, stakeholder management, and coordination.
• Expand your international research network: Connect with leading international 
scholars and present and discuss your work at international conferences. 
• Shape a collaborative research environment: Present and discuss your work in the 
Institute’s research seminars, contribute to its intellectual community, and mentor 
doctoral candidates.
• Collaborate with industry partners: Work with leading national and international 
companies in research and teaching.
• Increase the impact of your research: Help organize practitioner events and 
communicate your research findings to academic, professional, and wider public 
audiences.
• Teach and supervise students: Take responsibility for developing and delivering 
courses, particularly capstone projects conducted with corporate partners 
(international listed companies and hidden champions). You will also supervise 
student theses.

What you have to offer (Predoc):
• Academic degree: You have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business 
Administration (preferably) or a related field that qualifies you for admission to a 
doctoral program at WU.
• Subject expertise: You have a strong academic background in Strategic Management, 
particularly in Corporate Governance (Boards of directors) and/ or Strategic 
Leadership (Top management teams).
• Methodological skills: You have experience in quantitative empirical research and 
statistical or econometric analysis using software such as Stata or R and/or in natural 
language processing using Python or R. 
• Commitment to academic research: You are strongly motivated to pursue a doctoral 
dissertation and contribute to publications in leading international journals in Strategic 
Management.
• Key competencies: You have excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and 
organizational skills. You are a highly motivated team player who’s willing to take 
responsibility.
• Language skills: You have excellent written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of 
German is an advantage.
• Interest in teaching: You are highly motivated to develop your teaching skills and 
have the potential to excel in teaching. You are willing to use multimedia and digital 
teaching and learning formats.

Postdoc:
• Academic degree: You have completed (or are close to completing) an outstanding 
PhD in Business Administration (preferably) or a related field, with strong conceptual 
and quantitative methodological training.
• Subject expertise: You have a strong academic background in Strategic Management, 
particularly in Strategic Leadership and/or Corporate Governance, as demonstrated by 
your doctoral research, working papers, or publications.
• Methodological skills: You have strong expertise in quantitative empirical research 
and statistical or econometric analysis using software such as Stata or R and/or in 
natural language processing using Python or R.
• Commitment to academic research: You are strongly committed to publishing in 
leading international journals in Strategic Management and motivated to contribute to 
the Institute’s research agenda.
• Key competencies: You have excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and 
organizational skills. You are a highly motivated team player, take ownership of your 
work, and demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills. 
• Project management skills: You have experience in independently leading and 
further developing research or collaborative projects. You demonstrate a high degree 
of initiative, strategic thinking, and a strong focus on implementation.
• Impact orientation: You have a strong interest in collaborating with companies and 
conducting research relevant to practice. 
• Language skills: You have excellent written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of 
German is an advantage.
• Teaching experience: You are highly motivated to excel in teaching and have 
experience teaching at the undergraduate level in English and/or German. You have 
experience with multimedia and digital teaching and learning formats or are willing to 
develop these skills.

Application Procedure: 
Required application documents (in this order): 
• a cover letter outlining your motivation for an academic career, research interests, and 
the earliest possible starting date
• CV
• contact details for at least two academic references (name, affiliation, email address)
• transcript of records
• copies of relevant certificates
• other relevant documents.

Candidates for the Predoc positions should also provide a pdf copy of their MA thesis or 
other research-oriented output (e.g., BA thesis, seminar papers). 

Candidates for the Postdoc position should also provide evidence of research quality and 
thematic fit (e.g., as demonstrated by a job market paper and additional working papers or 
published academic articles).

You can submit all application documents either in English or in German. Please submit your 
application via the WU online application tool.
We will review applications on a continuous basis.
Questions may be directed to Prof. Dr. Patricia Klarner (pklarner@wu.ac.at).

What we offer you
• Six weeks of vacation/Extra vacation time
• 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 life with over 2,400 employees in research teaching, and 
administration and approximately 21,500 students
• Excellent accessibility by public transportation

Curious? Visit our website and find out more at www.wu.ac.at/benefits

The minimum monthly gross salary amounts to €2,832.08 (for Predocs) (14 times per year) 
and may be adjusted based on job-related prior work experience. The minimum monthly gross 
salary amounts to €5,014.30 (for Postdoc) (14 times per year) and may be adjusted based on 
equivalent prior work experience. In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive social 
benefits.

Do you want to join the WU team?
Then please submit your application by September 02, 2026 under www.wu.ac.at/jobs (ID 2881).
We are looking forward to hearing from you! 

WU is committed to diversity and inclusion and actively encourages applications from people 
of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from women. Not sure if your 
profile fully matches our requirements? Apply anyway! 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