Head of Academic Affairs (gn)

Academic Affairs at ISTA plays a central role in advancing scientific excellence and shaping the Institute’s academic environment. The division supports the full academic lifecycle: from faculty recruitment and evaluations to Graduate School management, postdoctoral development, research integrity, and academic governance. As ISTA continues its ambitious growth trajectory and international positioning, we are looking for an experienced leader to guide the operational development of Academic Affairs within one of Europe’s leading research institutes.

Head of Academic Affairs (gn)

• Full Time (40 h/w)
• Klosterneuburg near Vienna, Austria / Home Office possible
• € 115,000* gross/year (All-In)

• Lead, coordinate, and further develop the Division Academic Affairs (~ 35 colleagues among 3 teams), including the Graduate School Office
• Ensure high-quality operational management, supervision, and coordination of the division’s activities, services and projects
• Further develop and steer institutional services, training opportunities, and career development initiatives across the full academic lifecycle, including faculty, postdoctoral researchers, scientific visitors, and PhD students
• Oversee and coordinate faculty recruitment and evaluation procedures, including professorial searches, tenure procedures, scientific evaluations, and selected institutional programs and fellowships
• Drive the continuous development and implementation of academic governance frameworks, academic policies and procedures, including areas such as research integrity, ethics, and responsible conduct of research
• Drive organizational development initiatives within Academic Affairs, including process optimization, standardization, digitalization, and cross-unit collaboration
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and solution-driven culture within the division and across interfaces with scientific and administrative units
• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Institute's Management on all academic matters
• Represent ISTA in relevant national and international networks and collaborations in higher education and research management

• University degree, ideally PhD, and substantial professional experience in academic management, science administration, or higher education leadership
• Strong understanding of and passion for academic governance, faculty affairs, graduate education and research environments
• Proven leadership experience in an international environment
• Strong operational management capabilities combined with strategic thinking and implementation strength
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating complex institutional processes and stakeholder environments
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with institutional leadership, committees, scientists, and administrative teams across disciplines
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and service-oriented mindset with a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and reliability
• Ability to balance operational excellence with long-term institutional development
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; ability to communicate and operate professionally in German

• Education & training
• Cafeteria
• Childcare
• Free shuttle bus
• Multiple health offers
• Pension insurance