Department of German Language and Literatures at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Salzburg

Tenure Track Position

„German as a Second Language and Language Education“


Assistant Professorship §99 (5) Austrian Universities Act 2002

Planned start date: 1 October 2026

Description of the Tenure Track Position:  The successful candidate is expected to have a research and teaching focus in German as a Second Language and/or Language Education Across the Curriculum. This focus should support the development and expansion of these areas within the Department of German Language and Literatures, particularly in the context of teacher education, while also enabling integration into the university’s broader academic programme and a corresponding research agenda. Candidates are expected to hold an excellent qualification in empirically oriented research, with a particular focus on teaching and learning contexts relevant to schooling and underpinning research-based teaching.

Building on independent research in one or more of the following areas the successful candidate should be able to actively contribute to both the teaching programme and the research priorities of the department: the acquisition of German as a second language in contexts of multilingualism and migration; language education as the integration of linguistic and content-area learning from the perspective of continuous, diagnostics-based language support; and/or acquisition-oriented and pedagogically oriented linguistics of German. A willingness to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration is also required, both across the sub-disciplines of German Studies and beyond the department, on questions of language education — for example within the School of Education or in cooperation with other disciplines.

A tenure track position at the University of Salzburg offers clear career development opportunities leading to an associate professorship in strategic focus areas of the university. The tenure track phase includes clearly defined development goals and interim evaluations based on individually agreed qualification targets.

An assistant professorship at the University of Salzburg offers opportunities to develop innovative research, committed teaching, and social responsibility. Assistant professors encourage early-career scientists, value interdisciplinarity, organise third mission activities, and are involved in university committees and internationalisation. With a sense of responsibility, integrity, and innovative strength, they shape a respectful working environment and promote scientific, technological, and social developments.

Required qualifications
considering academic age and individual career path

  • Doctorate in German as a Second/Foreign Language, German Linguistics with a relevant specialization, Research on Language Teaching and Learning or equivalent foreign university degree (PhD);
  • profound knowledge in two of the following areas:
    – Acquisition of German as a Second Language, particularly in school contexts and under conditions of multilingualism and migration;
    – Language education across the curriculum, understood as the integration of linguistic and subject-matter learning from the perspective of continuous, diagnosis-based language support;
    – Acquisition- and pedagogy-oriented linguistics of German, for example learner language analyses or analyses of learning objects across different linguistic subdomains.
  • proven independent academic research and publication activity and willingness to acquire third-party funding for research projects, as well as commitment to research management and university-level teaching;
  • national and/or international networking, ideally with active participation in interdisciplinary collaborations;
  • experience in university self-administration;
  • excellent proficiency in German (written and spoken) as well as good command of academic English.

Desired skills
considering academic age and individual career path

  • proven external (outside the University of Salzburg) academic activity, preferably abroad, minimum 1 year;
  • social skills for staff and student development and collaboration, awareness of DEI issues, and the ability to lead teams in an inspiring way, implement strategic goals, and foster a cooperative, appreciative work culture;
  • digital skills in dealing with contemporary technologies und their application;
  • Teaching experience in German as a Foreign and/or Second Language (DaF/DaZ), particularly in school contexts.

Application
your application includes the following documents as one PDF:

  •  application form;
  • letter of motivation and concept for planned research, teaching and third mission activities, in particular a proposal for qualification agreement targets;
  • curriculum vitae including
  • description of research achievements (in particular third party projects);
  • description of experience and activities in teaching (and, if applicable, supervision/mentoring experience); including course evaluations and teaching certificates, if available;
  • description of third mission activities;
  • description of social and digital skills;
  • list of publications and presentations;
  • proof of relevant university degrees;

In addition, applicants are requested to submit the following in full:

  • three relevant publications.

If necessary, submission of additional documents may be requested.

Deadline for applications: 29 April 2026

Applications should be addressed to the Head of the University (“Rektor”), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Fügenschuh.
E-Mail:
Subject: 2026_11_995

We regret that expenses for travel and accommodation incurred in the job application cannot be refunded.

The University of Salzburg seeks to increase the proportion of women in academic and administrative areas and therefore encourages female candidates to apply. Considering the respective biography women will be given preference over equally qualified men.

People with disabilities or chronic illnesses who fulfil the job requirements are also expressly invited to apply.

We also encourage people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who meet the professional requirements to apply. If you have any questions about accessibility and support during the application process, please contact the Family, Gender, Diversity & Disability team at +43 662 8044 2462 or .

Salary and contract duration
Grade A2 according to § 49 sec. 2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement; monthly salary € 6.389,50 gross (14 payments per year). If the qualification agreement is not concluded at the start of employment, initial grading will be B1 according to § 49 sec. 3b) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, monthly salary: € 5.014,30 gross (14 payments per year).

Contract duration: Six years. Upon achievement of the agreed qualification targets, the contract becomes permanent (Associate Professor).

Contact
For further information, please contact Univ.-Prof. PhD Caitríona Ni Dhúill or Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Andrea Ender at | or DW 4357.

Please note that in case of doubt, the German version of the job advertisement is binding.