- Vienna University of Economics and Business
- Research, development, teaching
- Fulltime
- published till: 2027-01-06

You want to understand how things are connected and make a fundamental impact? We offer an environment where you can realize your full potential. At one of Europe’s largest and most modern business and economics universities. On a campus where quality of work is also quality of life. We are looking for support at the

Institute for Statistics and Mathematics

Fulltime, 40 hours/week

Starting October 01, 2027, and limited for 6 years A qualification agreement will be concluded at the start of the employment (

- 27 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement). Pursuant to WU’s Personnel Development Plan, this position can only be fixed-term for up to six years. Once all objectives agreed upon in the qualification agreement have been fulfilled, the employment relationship can be made permanent. Employees who have successfully completed a qualification agreement are classified as associate professors. From an organizational regulation perspective they belong to the group of professors. Three years after successful completion of the qualification agreement, they are entitled to apply for promotion to full professor according to the By-Laws of WU
- 43a.

What to expect Foundations of optimization and learning for sequential decision making The successful applicant will carry out independent research and supervision activities in the mathematical foundations of optimization and learning for sequential decision making under uncertainty.

Potential Research Focus Areas Include

- Theory of reinforcement learning
- Stochastic optimization and Markov decision processes
- Online optimization and sequential decision making
- Multi-stage stochastic and robust optimization
- Theory and methodology of diffusion models and flow matching
- Predict-then-optimize and decision-focused learning
- Methodological approaches combining Operations Research and machine learning for decision making

We value research that combines mathematical depth, substantial computational content, and relevance to substantive applications in business, finance, economics, or the social and environmental sciences. The position focuses on methodological research.



Work focused primarily on abstract theory without a clear computational or methodological connection, or on the routine application of existing methods, falls outside the intended scope.

In line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, teaching duties associated with the position initially comprise 4 hours per week; they can be in quantitative education programs at WU at all Levels (bachelor, master and PhD).

What you have to offer

You hold a diploma or an MSc as well as a PhD in (applied) mathematics, operations research, or a related area.

We expect scientific excellence, documented by publications in internationally recognized journals and international experience

Proven academic mobility either by (i) having completed their PhD or doctoral studies at a university other than WU, or (ii) having held at least two consecutive years of postdoctoral employment (tenure-track or non-tenure-track) with a minimum workload of 20 hours per week at another university or a reputable non-university research institution.

First managerial experience (e.g. acquisition and/or management of third-party projects) is an advantage. German language skills are not a prerequisite, but we expect the willingness to acquire proficiency in German over time.

Candidates should demonstrate how their research complements existing faculty expertise and contributes to broadening the Institute’s research profile through synergies and collaborations.

Required Submission Materials

- Cover letter
- CV (incl. list of publications and talks)
- A list of up to three publications or working papers that the candidate considers most relevant to this position, accompanied by a brief statement describing each paper’s main insight, methodological contribution, and relevance to the Institute’s research profile.
- Research statement (future agenda with connections to past research,



max 1 page)
- Teaching statement (teaching experience and teaching philosophy, max 1 page)
- Two reference letters or the names of at least two references

Other documents supporting your application may be submitted as well. Please do not submit full papers.

For details of the position, please contact Professor Ivana Ljubic, Professor Michael Muehlebach or Professor Birgit Rudloff.

What we offer you

- Flexible working hours
- Training opportunities
- A wide range of benefits, from an in-house medical officer to athletic activities and a meal allowance to a variety of employee discounts
- Meaningful work in an open-minded, inclusive, and family-friendly environment
- A contemporary campus with spectacular architecture in the heart of Vienna
- Inspiring campus life with over 2,400 employees in research, teaching, and administration and approximately 21,500 students
- Excellent accessibility by public transportation
- A top business and economics university with renowned experts on the faculty and a diverse range of subjects, triple accredited
- Excellent infrastructure, both technologically and architecturally, and a wide range of WU service units

Curious? Visit our website and find out more at www.wu.ac.at/benefits. Travel And Lodging Expenses ln case you are invited to a job talk at WU, the Institute for Statistics and Mathematics will refund your travel costs on usual terms.

The minimum monthly gross salary amounts to €5,980.80 (14 times per year). In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive social benefits.

Do you want to join the WU team?

Then please submit your application by January 6, 2027 (ID 2956).

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

WU is committed to diversity and inclusion and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from women. Not sure if your profile fully matches our requirements? Apply anyway! In case of equal qualification, female candidates will be given preference. Applicants with disabilities will be supported throughout each stage of the recruitment process. Candidates'

qualifications will be assessed in the context of their academic age.

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