STEP - Science and Technology in the European Periphery

University of Vienna,
Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies, in cooperation with the Faculties of Life
Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy/Education and Physics

The Doctoral Program (“DK-plus program”) „The Sciences in Historical, Philosophical and
Cultural Contexts“ announces the award of

1 fully paid doctoral student position (Category a) and
up to 7 associate positions (Category b, for students with other basic support)

for up to 3.5 years beginning 1 March 2011.

With the support of the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF), the University of Vienna
offers a Ph.D. program, to be completed in six semesters (a seventh semester of support is
available in case of a one-semester research or study visit abroad). The aims of the program
are: to offer a structured interdisciplinary curriculum in History, Philosophy and
Cultural Studies of Science with the collaboration of international visitors, and to make
possible the joint supervision of dissertations by historians/philosophers of science and natural
scientists/mathematicians.

Positions are funded for 3, in case of a research or study visit abroad for 3.5 years.
Participation in the curriculum is required; members of the DK-plus program (in Category a
and Category b) must therefore reside continuously in Vienna. Participation once or more
in the annual „Vienna International Summer University“ in the second half of July is also
part of the program.

Recipients of fully paid studentships (Collegiates, Category a) are employed according
to the provisions of the FWF and the standard labor contract (Kollektivvertrag) of the
University for 30 hours/week at the University of Vienna. Involvement in teaching is possible
beginning in the second year of the program; remuneration for such activity will be
additional to basic funding. Health and social insurance will be covered by the University.
Tuition fee exemption, additional support for students with children, and funding for research
and research related travel expenses are included.
Associates of the program (Category b) are not employed by the University within the
framework of the DK-plus program, but may enter into other employment – including employment
by the University of Vienna. Associates must complete all curriculum requirements and also
have the right to apply for funding for research or research related travel expenses.

Employment requirements: Completed advanced degree (Magister/Diplom/Master) in History,
Philosophy, History of Science, History and Philosophy of Science, a relevant natural,
social or cultural science or Mathematics. Applicants with one or more relevant BA/BSc
degrees may be considered in exceptional cases.

Proposed research topics should be relevant to at least one of the topic areas of the
DK-plus program. Information on the program’s aims, faculty, topic areas and possible
dissertation topics can be found at the following web site:
http://dkplus-sciences-contexts.univie.ac.at/
For information about the „Vienna International Summer University,“ see the web site:
www.univie.ac.at/ivc/VISU.

Application procedure:
An application for a studentship (Category a) or an associate position (Category b) in
the DK-plus program, „The Sciences in Historical, Philosophical and Cultural Contexts“ must
be supported by the following documentation:
- A brief cover letter stating the reasons for applying;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Documentation of previous studies and copies of all university degrees received;
- A brief exposé of the proposed dissertation project (maximum 5 pages) with
bibliography (maximum one page);
- Two letters of recommendation, one of which being preferably from the advisor of the
latest degree thesis. These can be sent either together with the other application
materials or separately.

Applications for paid studentships (Category a) and for Associate positions (Category b)
must be submitted with the same supporting materials. Applicants for paid studentships (
Category a) may be offered associate positions (Category b).

Deadline:
Applications will be considered in January 2011, and admissions announced in February
2011. Short listed applicants will be invited to Vienna for a personal interview in January
2011. Applicants residing in Europe will receive reimbursement for travel to the
interview; applicants residing outside Europe will be interviewed by telephone or video conference.
Study in the program will begin on 1 March 2011.
Applications are due by 7 January 2011. Electronic application with attachments as MS
Word or PDF files is strongly recommended. Applications by post must be postmarked by the
deadline date; priority air mail please. Applications should be addressed to the Jobcenter
of the University of Vienna and also to the Speaker of the DK-plus program, „The Sciences
in Historical, Philosophical and Cultural Contexts“, o. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mitchell Ash,
Maria- Theresien-Strasse 3, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.

Contact for inquiries:
Prof. Dr. Mitchell Ash: Tel.: +431 4277 40837 (Administrator: - 40803)
E-mail: mitchell.ash@univie.ac.at.
Prof. Dr. Carola Sachse: Tel.: +431 4277 41207 (Administrator: - 41218)
E-mail: carola.sachse@univie.ac.at.
Prof. Dr. Friedrich Stadler: Tel.: +431 4277 41209 (Administrator: - 41201)
E-mail: friedrich.stadler@univie.ac.at.
Prof. Dr. Gerd B. Müller: Tel. +431 4277 56700 (Administrator: 56701)
E-mail: gerhard.mueller@univie.ac.at