Assistant Professor of Sociology

Location: Vienna, AT, 1100

The Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Sociology starting September 1, 2026. This is a position for a sociologist of culture with broad disciplinary training, openness towards cross-disciplinary engagements, and empirically grounded research. Since the Department was established as an integrated sociology and anthropology department, familiarity with both disciplines is an advantage. 

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to teaching the fundamentals of the discipline and methods courses as well as courses in their area of expertise to an interdisciplinary international student body, also from other departments and programs at CEU. They should be active in research that complements and extends the subject areas currently represented in the Department. Possible thematic fields may include – but are not limited to – the political economy and politics of culture as well as intersections of the field of culture with the study of environment, nature, or capitalism. While we encourage regional and thematic specialization, the ideal candidate will also have a strong commitment to generalization and to contributing to the wider sociological and anthropological debates. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience of teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. 

The job provides excellent research opportunities in an intellectually vivid and stimulating environment. The Sociology and Social Anthropology department is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and is known for its highly motivated and diverse students and faculty. Its integration of the two disciplines is reflected in both teaching and research, and its graduate programs are based on empirical research and methodologies that foster a critical global perspective. Teaching in undergraduate programs at CEU forms part of teaching duties.  

Qualifications 

A PhD in Sociology in hand by the start of the employment as well as a track record of internationally recognized publications commensurate with the career stage. 

What CEU offers 

We offer an annual gross salary of €70,000. The initial contract will be for a six-year term, with the possibility of promotion to Associate Professor with an indefinite-term contract. For a list of our benefits, please view our Benefits page on our career portal.  

How to Apply 

• Cover letter
• Statement of research and teaching (one document)
• A comprehensive C.V. including list of publications
• Sample publications (2, can also be forthcoming)
• Names and contact information of three referees

Please provide the names and contact details of three referees directly in your application. They will be contacted through our system and invited to upload their letters of recommendation via the portal.

CEU is an equal opportunity employer and values geographical and gender diversity, thus encouraging applications from women and/or other underrepresented groups. Since CEU strives to increase the share of women in professorial positions, given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants. CEU recognizes that personal and family circumstances shape the trajectory of one’s career and working patterns. As such, and in line with CEU’s promotion of Equal Opportunities, we encourage applicants to detail periods of leave, part-time work or other such situations in their applications so that the Search Committee is able to assess an applicant’s academic record fairly in the context of their circumstances. Any declaration of personal and family circumstances is voluntary and will be handled confidentially and only considered in so far as it impacts on the academic career of an applicant. 

About CEU

One of the world’s most international universities, a unique founding mission positions Central European University as both an acclaimed center for the study of economic, historical, social and political challenges, and a source of support for building open and democratic societies that respect human rights and human dignity. CEU is accredited in the United States and Austria, and offers English-language bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the social sciences, the humanities, law, environmental sciences, management and public policy. CEU enrolls more than 1,400 students from over 100 countries, with faculty from over 50 countries. 

In 2019, CEU relocated from Hungary to Austria as the Hungarian government revoked its ability to issue US-accredited degrees in the country. As a result, CEU offers all of its degree programs in Vienna, Austria; and retains a non-degree, research and civic engagement presence in Budapest, Hungary, through its CEU Democracy Institute, the Institute for Advanced Study, the CEU Summer University and The Vera and Donald Blinken Open Society Archives (OSA), and its Hungarian language public educational programs and public lectures. 

For more information, please visit https://www.ceu.edu/