Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) invites applications for a fixed-term Professorship titled
Chair of Excellence in Transformative Change: Social Structure and Governance
in accordance with § 99 (1) UG, to be filled as soon as possible at the Linz Institute for Transformative Change (LIFT_C). This is a 20% position for a five-year term under private employment law.
JKU’s Linz Institute for Transformative Change (LIFT_C) serves as a catalyst for societal transformation, initiating impulses to inspire change and collaboratively address contemporary challenges. As a hub connecting the university with society, LIFT_C promotes interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, teaching, and public engagement. The appointed professor will also be affiliated with a related department within JKU.
The field Social Structure and Governance focuses on analyzing and understanding social and political processes influenced by global challenges such as pandemics, demographic shifts, and economic changes. This Chair will explore topics including social inequality and the transformation of governance structures (e.g., welfare state, healthcare systems). By combining sociology and political science, this interdisciplinary approach seeks to develop new perspectives on the dynamics of modern societies and their institutional responses. The Chair’s goal is to advance theoretical and empirical approaches for addressing central societal challenges and to contribute to the development of supranational policy frameworks.
Info Box
Contact
Univ. Prof.
Dr. Thomas Gegenhuber
+43 732 2468 9365
thomas.gegenhuber(at)jku.at
terms of employment
five-year position
§ 99 (1) of the 2002 Austrian Universities Act
8-hours/week
application deadline
February 28, 2025
submit application here
Expectations and Responsibilities:
- A distinguished research profile with high international visibility.
- Active contribution to JKU through excellence in the field and initiation of third-party funded projects in collaboration with JKU colleagues.
- Facilitation of institutional networking, mentoring, and supporting PhD students and early-career researchers.
- Participation in public events organized by LIFT_C to shape a widely recognized discourse in the field, both in scientific journals and popular media.
Required Qualifications:
- Habilitation or an internationally recognized equivalent qualification in the field.
- Extensive experience leading a department or professorship.
- Proven scholarly qualification demonstrated by publications and conference contributions.
- Expertise in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, teaching, or impactful engagement.
- Experience supervising doctoral students and supporting young researchers.
- Experience with international cooperation, third-party funding acquisition, and science communication.
- Strong English proficiency in both written and spoken forms; German skills are desirable but not mandatory.
- Additional Requirement: Strong interpersonal skills and social competence.
Salary: A voluntarily agreed-upon salary that exceeds the currently stipulated full-time minimum gross salary of €89,075 annually.
Contact for Inquiries: For further information, please contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Gegenhuber, P: +43 732 2468 9365, E-mail: thomas.gegenhuber(at)jku.at.
When assessing the candidates’ accomplishments, performance, and future potential, the JKU will take the candidates’ individual background and personal history into account by acknowledging that academic and professional success and accomplishments can happen at different stages in life (and can include periods of reduced employment, or career interruption on account of having to provide care, childcare, etc.). In this regard, qualifications are assessed and evaluated in terms of equal opportunity, taking life-course factors, such as academic age, into account.
The Johannes Kepler University wishes to increase the proportion of academic female faculty and, for this reason, especially welcomes and encourages applications by qualified women. If applicants are equally qualified, a woman will be given preference for this position. The university welcomes applications from qualified applicants with disabilities. These applications will be given special consideration.
Application Process: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications (including all relevant documents, such as CV, application form, etc.) by February 28, 2025, to the Rector of Johannes Kepler University Linz via email at bewerbung(at)jku.at. The application form is available on the JKU website at www.jku.at/professuren, opens an external URL in a new window.
