OeAW - Discovering the future

As a central non-university institution for science and research, the Austrian Academy of Sciences - OeAW has the task of "promoting science in every respect". Founded in 1847 as a learned society, it now has over 760 members and around 1,800 employees dedicated to innovative basic research, interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and the dissemination of new insights. The OeAW initiates and maintains partnerships worldwide and represents Austria in international scientific organizations; it cooperates with numerous institutions in the scientific field in order to actively shape the research landscape.

Postdoc (f/m/x) in Demography - Fertility and Population Change

Job ID: VID131PD125

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), Austria’s leading non-university research and science institution, is offering a Position as

Postdoc (f/m/x) in Demography - Fertility and Population Change
(full time / 40 h per week)

in the Research Group on Fertility and Population Change, headed by Tomáš Sobotka, for a period of 1 year. An extension might be possible.

Your Tasks

We are looking for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to support key research activities of the group. The Research Group on Fertility and Population Change investigates trends, determinants and differentials in fertility globally, focusing especially on low-fertility settings and aggregate-level perspective. In addition, the group looks at migration and population dynamics, especially in Europe. The group’s research covers, among other issues, very low fertility, short-term fertility fluctuations, childlessness, educational differences in fertility, delayed parenthood and its consequences, and medically assisted reproduction.

Your future position is at the VID, which is member of the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, OeAW, University of Vienna). You will join a dynamic research environment with scientists working on a diverse array of social science research.

The successful candidate will work largely independently on the following topic:

Analysing recent trends in educational differences in fertility from both period and cohort perspectives

In addition, the researcher will be asked to assist the research group in the following activities:

Supporting the research group’s preparatory work for the next round of the Wittgenstein Centre’s global population projections. The group focuses on preparing fertility scenarios and the supporting work may include data collection and analysis, methodological research and literature review
Supporting research group’s work on data infrastructure, especially the Human Fertility Database (www.humanfertility.org)

The researcher will also be involved with collecting and analysing data from different sources, including population censuses, surveys, scientific datasets and vital statistics.

Your Profile

We expect the applicant to have:

PhD in Demography, Statistics, Economics, or other relevant fields
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Excellent quantitative and analytical skills, excellent programming skills in R or similar package
Ability to work independently and to collaborate with a broader research team
Solid knowledge of demographic methods, especially in the field of fertility analysis
Experience with demographic data
Publication and research track record showing the ability to publish relevant scientific research

Our Offer

Inspiring working atmosphere: Join an international and interdisciplinary academic team!
Employment in one of the major centres of demographic research in Europe
Interesting and globally relevant field of research
Work-life balance: Enjoy flexible working hours (up to 40% home office upon agreement)
Excellent public transport connections: Your workplace in downtown Vienna, one of the most liveable cities globally, is easily accessible by public transport and bike
Possibility to work independently
Opportunity to gain a profile as an independent scientist
Equal opportunities

The annual gross salary starts with a minimum of € 69.028,40, according to collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Depending on qualification and experience, the salary can be negotiated.
The starting date is 1 January 2026. Working hours: 40 (part-time arrangement possible upon agreement).

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity. Individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Contact

Barbara Simunics | Barbara.Simunics@oeaw.ac.at
VID | 1010 Vienna, Austria
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften | Austrian Academy of Sciences | https://www.oeaw.ac.at/