Founding President (m/f/x)

The establishment of the Institute of Digital Sciences Austria (IDSA) creates a new university in Linz, Upper Austria: In addition to claiming scientific and interdisciplinary scientific-artistic excellence, this institution will also provide a significant contribution to the transfer of knowledge of digital competencies and innovative processes for the benefit of society and the economy.

The IDSA's new educational approach is based on the transfer of interdisciplinary, technology-based knowledge, intensive scientific and arts-inclusive research activity in the areas of digitization and digital transformation, as well as aiming at a constant transfer of scientific competencies and findings to the institutional or corporate landscape. In addition, the IDSA’s role is to act as an incubator for start-ups in Austria and internationally.

In the final deployment, the University will accommodate up to 5,000 students and 150 professors and offer a a broad range of Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programs related to the full scope of digitization, applications as well as topics such as interaction, innovation and sustainability.

Detailed information on the IDSA's concept and offerings can be found at www.bmbwf.gv.at/idsa .

For the establishment of the IDSA and the transition to full operation, the institution tenders the position of

Founding President (m/f/x)

for a four-year term.

This key role has central responsibility for implementing the current concept and vision of the IDSA and is instrumental in defining the structure, organization, positioning and perception of the University and its scientific and social impact in the future.

Responsibilities

- Management and representation of the IDSA internally and externally

- Preparation of the operational business of the IDSA

- Drafting proposals for the statutes and the organizational plan

- Preparation of proposals for the curricula

- Concluding employment contracts and service contracts

- Setting-up of the limited liability company in charge for the organization and implementation of administrative procedures

- Responsibility for related tasks that are not assigned to another organ of the IDSA

The Founding president acts in cooperation with the other founding organs of the IDSA, especially the Founding Convention.

Requirement profile

Mandatory requirements for this challenging role are the qualifications of a scientist with international experience, knowledge of the Austrian and European higher education system, competences in the regulatory and operational context of a university (see § 2 of the Federal Law on the Establishment of the Institute of Digital Sciences Austria) as well as knowledge and skills for the organizational and economic management of a university. Experience in cooperation with private business is considered an advantage.

The establishment of a new university requires a high degree of creativity, innovative strength, strategic ability, implementation strength and leadership responsibility. Therefore, excellent personal and social skills in terms of leadership, communication and integrity are essential. Fluent German and English language skills are mandatory (English being IDSA’s working and teaching language).

Your application

Application deadline ends with Oct. 24th 2022

Please submit your application - including a comprehensive CV and a concept for the development of the university - to the Founding Convention of the IDSA, to the attention of Andreas Landgrebe, Managing Partner Boyden Global Executive Search GmbH Vienna, [email protected] .

The IDSA is committed to the principle of promoting women and gender equality. Therefore, women in particular are invited to apply and will be given preference in the event of equal qualifications - taking into account the relevant circumstances of all applications.