Postdoctoral researcher to join the Research Group Fertility and Family.

The Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), Austria’s leading non-university research and science institution, analyses the demographic development in all its dimensions in Austria, Europe and the world and deals with its effects on society, economy and environment. The VID is offering a

POSTDOC POSITION (F*M)(full-time / 40h per week)

The VID is looking for a postdoc to join the Research Group Fertility and Family.

As a postdoctoral researcher at the Vienna Institute of Demography, you will be part of the research group on Fertility and Family. The group studies the transformations in fertility, reproduction, and family behavior and their drivers. In particular, the group focuses on low fertility, fertility preferences, childlessness, data and measurement, delayed parenthood, and fertility projections. The group is engaged with building and supporting data infrastructure, including the Human Fertility Database (HFD) and European Demographic Data Sheet. In the next years, the groups research will focus on the study of fertility declines and fertility preferences in Europe in the 2010s, fertility consequences of the covid-19 pandemic, shifting relationship between education and fertility, as well as changing family-related behaviors among the Millennials and Generation Z.

Vacant position: The candidate hired in this position will strengthen the research on recent changes in fertility, family, reproduction and reproductive preferences, including the topic of very low fertility, its drivers and consequences. The researcher is expected to develop a broad-picture perspective. The postdoc is encouraged to combine micro-and macro-level approaches and develop research that will shed light on the recent fertility declines in many highly developed regions. The candidate is encouraged to develop research that will shed light on topics that have not been extensively studied, including the impact of the digital revolution, changing sexual and partnership behaviour, and new uncertainties and concerns, including those about environment and climate change. The postdoc will have an opportunity to independently develop her/his research agenda. The candidate is expected to contribute to the development of data repositories and data-related activities of the “Fertility and Family” Research Group. The candidate will also contribute to the Research Group’s effort to seek external funding for the planned research, collaborate on the preparation of new research proposals and, if successful, on conducting research within the group’s projects.

Your tasks:

• Contribute actively to the research of the “Fertility and Family” research group, especially on the topics outlined above.
• Develop own research plans, including further education and training.
• Conduct statistical analysis of population-based data and contribute to the development of data infrastructure.
• Publish papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present results at meetings and conferences.
• Collaborate and communicate with other researchers within the group, the Wittgenstein Centre and abroad.

Your profile and qualifications:

• PhD in demography, social sciences, statistics, economics or other related fields.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Experience with data processing and quantitative analyses (experience with large data sets is an advantage).
• Experience with relevant statistical packages, such as R, SAS or STATA.
• Publication and research track record corresponding to the career stage.
• Being able to work independently and to collaborate with a broader research team.
• Past research on fertility and family and a solid knowledge on methods and theories pertaining to fertility research is an advantage.
• Strong graphical communication skills are an advantage.

We offer:

• Dynamic research environment
• The opportunity to work with top-level researchers
• The opportunity to develop independent research
• The opportunity for further professional advancement Earliest

start of the employment is January 1, 2021.

In accordance with the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) the annual gross salary for this position is € 46.285,12. Depending on experience and qualification, the salary can be negotiated.

Please send your application including a CV, a letter of motivation, a list of publications or a link to an online list of publications and the degree certificates via e-mail to barbara.simunics@oeaw.ac.at(mentioning Job ID: VID118PD120) no later than November 30, 2020. Job interviews will take place via video call.

For substantive questions, please contact Dr Tomáš Sobotka (Research Group Leader Fertility and Family) tomas.sobotka@oeaw.ac.at.

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity. The OeAW lays special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants