Are you interested in understanding how politics shapes economics—and how economics influences politics? Are you looking to gain hands-on experience in both teaching and cutting-edge academic research? If so, we invite you to apply for a position as a Teaching and Research Assistant at the Institute for International Political Economy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with Professor Bunte on a range of research projects and to contribute to the development of teaching materials. You will become an integral part of a collaborative, intellectually vibrant, and inclusive team.

We actively value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We 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 members of underrepresented groups in academia. We also offer flexible working arrangements to accommodate a wide variety of life circumstances.

Important: Due to legal and administrative regulations, only applicants who have not yet completed a diploma or master’s degree are eligible for this position. Additionally, applicants must be enrolled at an Austrian university. Unfortunately, candidates planning a semester abroad during the employment period cannot be considered.

Job Details

Part-time, 8 hours/week
Starting April 1, 2026, and limited until July 31, 2027
Monthly gross salary: approx. €530

What You Will Do

Research Support

• Manage and analyze quantitative data in Stata, including cleaning, reshaping, merging, and coding datasets.

• Perform statistical analyses and produce data visualizations.

• Conduct literature reviews and assist in the development of qualitative case studies.

Teaching Support

• Assist in preparing lecture content, including identifying real-world examples, developing case-based materials and creating teaching materials (e.g., slides, handouts, worksheets).

• Support examination logistics, including drafting questions, organizing assessments, and assisting in grading.

• Contribute to innovative, student-centered teaching strategies, including the use of social media platforms such as Instagram.

What You Bring to the Role

Research Skills

• Stata Expertise: Strong skills in data management, data merging, and statistical analysis in Stata are essential.

• Experience with fuzzy matching techniques in Stata is an asset.

• Interest in topics such as lobbying or campaign contributions is an advantage.

• Familiarity with WU databases offering firm-level data is a plus.

Teaching & Digital Skills

• Familiarity with didactic methods like case-based learning is a plus.

• Knowledge of LaTeX and Beamer for producing presentation materials is an advantage.

General Competencies

• Excellent spoken and written English; German is a plus but not required.

• Highly conscientious and detail-oriented working style.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Proactivity and initiative: The ability to contribute original ideas is essential. We value independence, proactivity, and a collaborative mindset.

Application Materials

Please submit the following materials in a single PDF file via email to jonas.bunte@wu.ac.at:

1. Cover Letter: Outline your motivation for applying and how your background fits the role. Specifically, please provide detailed information about your Stata skills. 

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Clearly describe your academic background and relevant skills.

3. Proof of Enrollment: Provide a valid certificate of enrollment confirming your student status. 

4. Data Task: Download and merge the two datasets provided below (1_data.csv and 2_cspp.csv) into a single dataset suitable for statistical analysis. Then conduct a preliminary analysis to assess whether the number of employees (be) positively or negatively affects company profits (bb). No control variables are required at this stage. Please attach the following deliverables to your application: a) The final dataset (as .csv or .dta), and b) a Stata do-file that contains all code used for merging and analysis. Ensure your code is reproducible and well-documented.

 

Timeline and Selection Process

• Application Deadline: March 10, 2026 at 23.59. 

• Interview Invitations: Candidates selected for interviews will be notified shortly thereafter. They will be given a short preparatory task in advance of the interview.

• Interviews will take place on March 13, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how you can contribute to our research and teaching mission!

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