Assistant Professor of “Companion Animal Management for the Messerli Research Institute of Human Animal Interactions”

The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni) is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for teaching and research in veterinary medicine as well as a soughtafter partner for cooperation. The modern campus accommodates teaching and research facilities as well as the only veterinary teaching and research hospital in Austria and is the workplace of around 2,300 students and 1,400 staff. Vetmeduni distinguishes itself by striving for excellence in its teaching and research activities as well as in its service units and through its continuous dialogue with society.

The Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences is looking for an

Assistant Professor of “Companion Animal Management for the Messerli Research Institute of Human Animal Interactions”

in accordance with the appointment procedure for Assistant Professors established by § 99 (5) of the 2002 Universities Act

Grade: A2

Level of employment: 40 hours weekly

Length of employment: 4 years tenure-track position (i.e. permanent after positive evaluation)

Deadline for applications: 20.03.2024

Reference number: 2024/0039

Context

The Vetmeduni is looking for an Assistant Professor to represent the field of "Companion Animal Management" in research and teaching. The assistant professorship is assigned to the Messerli Research Institute of Human Animal Interactions and thus has access to excellent, modern research and teaching facilities.

The Messerli Research Institute of Human Animal Interactions was established in 2010 with the support of the Messerli Foundation. The institute, launched in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, aims to generate scientifically grounded insights into the coexistence of humans and animals. Based on these findings, compelling criteria and strategies for an ethically responsible treatment of animals are to be developed and promoted through societal dialogue and scientific policy consultation.

The research area "Companion Animal Management" aims to make a scientific contribution to the understanding of the relationship between humans and companion animals with a primary focus on the relationship between humans and dogs in modern society. The topic can be approached from the perspective of both anthrozoology and ethology.

Not only positive aspects of the dog-human relation should be studied. There should also be focus on problems arising from the way dogs are held in modern society. These problems often manifest themselves as behavioural problems relating not least to anxiety and aggression in the dogs. They can both be studied with a focus on prevention and treatment of problematic dog behaviour or with a focus on human attitudes and expectations.

These findings should also form the foundation for new professional fields and associated further training courses, e.g. for coaches and consultants, but also for veterinary specialization in the areas of animal husbandry, animal behaviour and animal welfare in companion animals, which are developed and offered at the Messerli Research Institute.

Main Tasks

The advertised position is aimed to further expand and complement the focus of the Messerli Research Institute and the Vetmeduni in the area of “Companion Animal Management” in order to create scientific evidence for a further development in the areas mentioned. In this context, the establishment of an internationally visible, primarily third-party funded research program is strived for. The successful candidate will collaborate on an interdisciplinary basis at the Vetmeduni (within the Messerli Research Institute and with the departments of the Vetmeduni) as well as with the participating universities at the Messerli Research Institute. Furthermore, the jobholder is expected to network with other national and international institutions. Other tasks include teaching in the Vetmeduni curricula, the supervision of theses and doctoral students, as well as administrative tasks including work in committees, cooperation with authorities and ministries and third mission activities such as the Vetmeduni continuing education courses mentioned above.

Responsibilities

- Independent development and realisation of research projects

- Authoring of publications and independent acquisition and coordination of third-party funding

- Supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students

- Establishment and management of a working group in the field of “Companion Animal Management”

- Participation in various areas of research, teaching, service and administration within the framework of the university organization

- Independent teaching activities in the study programmes of Vetmeduni, especially in the Interdisciplinary Master’s Programme Human-Animal-Interaction and the Diploma Programme in Veterinary Medicine

- Willingness to participate in the knowledge transfer and to promote early career researchers in the spirit of the social responsibility of the Vetmeduni

- Actively pursuing the strategic objectives of the department and the Vetmeduni

Required education, qualifications and experience

- Completed studies in natural sciences or social sciences and doctorate / PhD in a relevant field

- At least 2 years of PostDoc-experience in a relevant field

- Outstanding publication track record in line with the career level

- Experience in the acquisition of third-party funds in line with the career level

- Experience with national and international research collaborations

- Teaching experience

- Good German level (B2)

- Good English level (B2)

Additional desired qualifications and skills

- Anthrozoological or ethological fundamental or applied research in the field of human-animal-relations

- Experience in knowledge transfer (relevant applied research activities or relevant outreach activities)

- Experience in the supervision of postgraduate students

- Proof of successful acquisition of third-party funding

- Experience in managing a research group

- Proof of university didactic training programmes

- Open to and experience with new multimedia teaching methods

- An enthusiastic and committed team player

- Open to inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary joint working

- Excellent communication skills

What we offer

- Top university: Vetmeduni is one of the leading academic education and research institutions in veterinary medicine in Europe

- Stable employer

- Attractive campus

- Personal and professional training and development opportunities

- Health care

- Diversity and family-friendly university culture

- Children’s day-care and holiday care options

- Numerous attractive fringe benefits

- Employee events

The Position

The position of Assistant Professor with a qualification (i.e. tenure-track) agreement (according to § 27 of the collective contract (Kollektivvertrag) for university employees) is initially limited to a duration of 4 years. After fulfilment of the agreed qualification goals, the contract will be of an unlimited duration as Associate Professor.

Minimum salary

The minimum salary for university staff is regulated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff and at the A2 level amounts to EUR 5,595.60 gross. The salary increases to EUR 6,055.70 gross when the provisions of the qualification agreement are met.

Applications

Please submit your application in English, noting the reference number 2024/0039, by e-mail to bewerbungen(at)vetmeduni.ac.at to the Personnel Department of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. Please do not forget to include the reference number or we will be unable to relate your application to the correct vacancy announcement.

Application documents in English language must include:

1. Letter of application with a brief description of

- Current research interests and research plan for the next three years, and anticipated advancement for the field

- Concept for academic teaching and supervision of young researchers

- Contribution to the scientific profile of the Institute and the Vetmeduni

2. Curriculum vitae including

- Information on selected research esteem factors (e.g. publication quality, impact, collaborations, invited talks) and recognition of excellence

- List of external funds acquired (topic, funder, budget, duration) and submitted or unsuccessful grant applications

- Overview of academic teaching and supervised theses, especially PhD theses

- Experience in the organization and management of team, staff and students

- Evidence of knowledge transfer and provision of expertise beyond the scientific community and other significant impact

3. Further documents to prove the required education, qualifications and experience described as necessary in the vacancy announcement

4. Names and contact information of three references

Presentations and interviews with the candidates are scheduled for June 2024 (likely in calendar week 22).

The Vetmeduni aims to increase the proportion of women among scientific and general university staff, especially in management positions, and therefore explicitly invites qualified women to apply. In the case of underrepresentation of women, female applicants who are equally suitable as the best-suited male competitor will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

There is no fee required for submitting an application. Applicants have no entitlement to reimbursement of any travel or accommodation expenses they may incur as a result of the application procedure.

As a proud holder of the “hochschuleundfamilie” (“University and Family”) certificate, Vetmeduni welcomes applications from candidates with family responsibilities. We also encourage people with disabilities to apply.

Translations into other languages are solely for information purposes. The version advertised in the University Bulletin (Mitteilungsblatt) is the only one that is legally binding.

Contact for further information

Univ. Prof. Dr. Herwig Grimm

+43 1 25077 – 2650

herwig.grimm(at)vetmeduni.ac.at

www.vetmeduni.ac.at