Head of Academic Affairs (m/w/d)

Your Responsibilities

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.

• 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

Your Profile

• 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

ISTA is growing. Grow with us!

Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) is a constantly growing international institute for conducting world-class research in mathematics, computer science, life sciences & physical sciences. We strive to recruit passionate professionals from across the world over all fields who strive to support our goal of excellent research. Located within a beautiful campus on the outskirts of Vienna, we offer multiple opportunities for personal growth in a stable working environment.

ISTA promotes a diverse and inclusive working environment and is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all applicants, free of discrimination. All employment decisions at ISTA are based on job requirements, qualifications, merit and organizational needs. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Your benefits

Education & training

Cafeteria

Childcare

Free shuttle bus

Multiple health offers

Pension insurance