Fully Funded PhD Positions in Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Information & System Sciences

The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) is looking for highly qualified candidates with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees to apply for our PhD program. We offer fully funded PhD positions in Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry & Materials, Data Science & Scientific Computing, Earth Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Physics in a world-class research environment on the outskirts of Vienna. In 2019, ISTA was ranked #3 in the world-wide Nature Index ranking (normalized).

In 2018, ISTA was ranked within the top ten of Nature Index Rising Stars “Top 30 academic institutions under 30” list. All students are offered 5-year contracts, they receive internationally competitive salaries, and full social security coverage.

The application deadline is January 8, 2025 for a PhD program start date in September 2025.

• International and Diverse Scientific Community

Our scientists, from professors to postdocs to students, hail from all corners of the world, representing over 80 different nationalities, and build on research and degrees earned from the finest global scientific institutes and universities.

• English-Speaking

We use English throughout the Institute as the language of instruction and communication.

• Interdisciplinary

 Our Graduate Program is characterized by modern comprehensive training with a special interdisciplinary focus.

• Cutting-Edge Research Training

Students work closely with outstanding faculty within small research groups and have access to first-rate facilities. Students spend the first year completing coursework and rotations before affiliating with a group.

This first phase of exploration allows students to ensure that the research topic, as well as the research group, are the best match for them before embarking on in-depth thesis research in the second phase.

• Entry with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree

We welcome students with a Bachelor’s or a Master’s in science to apply for our PhD program.

• Funding

All PhD students are offered 5-year contracts. All students making reasonable progress are fully funded until the time of their thesis defense.

ISTA relies on diverse funding sources to support all its researchers. Our Grant Office supports ISTA scientists who would like to apply for external funding. Students also receive financial support to attend scientific conferences and workshops.

• Careers

Our distinguished alumni have gone on to successful careers after their PhD studies at ISTA.

PhD students receive support through our mentorship and career development programs which focus on training in transferable skills for academia and beyond. Throughout their studies, PhD students are supported by Career Services, which provide career development advice and training.

We also provide xista, an in-house science venture that supports researchers in the commercial development and use of their research results.