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Funding

Salary

Program dates

Sep 15, 2027

ISTA PhD Program

PhD ScholarshipAustria · Klosterneuburg

Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)

Application Deadline

January 8, 2027

Official Page

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  • Education required

    Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor

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The ISTA PhD Program is the doctoral program of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, on its campus just outside Vienna in Lower Austria. It admits about 80 students a year across biology, chemistry and materials, computer science, data science, mathematics, neuroscience and physics.

Students apply to the program, not to a lab: in the first year they rotate through three research groups, then join one, pass a qualifying exam and do thesis research. Everything runs in English.

Benefits & funding

  • Employed by ISTA on a 5-year contract; gross salary €3,053–€3,673 a month in 2026, paid 14 times a year, set by the degree held at entry and rising after the qualifying exam.
  • No tuition fees; full Austrian social security, including health insurance.
  • Support for attending conferences and workshops.
  • Funded until the thesis defense with reasonable progress; ISTA does not cover visa or relocation costs.

Eligibility

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics or a related area (e.g. engineering, statistics, medicine).
  • Final-year students may apply but must complete their first degree by August, before the September start.
  • Open to all nationalities, with no quota on international students; non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals need a visa, with guidance sent after an offer.
  • No age limit and no English test required; English is assessed at interview.
  • Applicants who already hold a PhD must explain why in the statement of purpose.

Application process

  1. 1
    Apply through ISTA’s online portal by 8 January 2027, 3:00 PM CET; there is no application fee.
  2. 2
    Upload a CV, a statement of purpose, answers to three short questions, and transcripts and diplomas in English and the original language.
  3. 3
    Three referees, at least two from an academic or research setting, must submit letters by 12 January 2027, 11:59 PM CET.
  4. 4
    Shortlisted candidates interview, mostly online, with at least two professors.

Program timeline

  1. application deadline

    8 January 2027, 3:00 PM CET

  2. referee letter deadline

    12 January 2027

  3. Late February – mid-March 2027

    interviews; status by early March

  4. deadline to accept or decline offers

    15 April 2027

  5. program starts

    15 September 2027

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