job.plattform

The Institute of Science and Technology Austria - ISTA is looking for highly qualified candidates with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees to apply for the 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. There is also financial support for students for attending scientific conferences and workshops.

The application deadline is January 8, 2026 (2:59 PM, CET) for a PhD start date in September 2026.

APPLY NOW

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

• 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 building 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 focus on interdisciplinarity.

• 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 be sure that the research topic, as well as
the research group, are the best match for them before they embark 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

In all fields of research, funding is a
very important topic. ISTA relies on diverse funding sources to support all its
researchers. The Grant Office is there to support ISTA scientists who would
like to apply for external funding. 

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

Students also receive financial support to
attend scientific conferences and workshops during their studies.

• 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 provides career development
advice and training.

There are also regular talks organized by
the XISTA Innovation, which aim to support
researchers in the commercial development and use of their research results.

 -----------------------------------------------

Skills/Qualifications

ISTA welcomes students with different
academic backgrounds who can bring their skills and experiences to the
scientific setting.

Students with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Astronomy,
Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry & Materials, Data Science &
Scientific Computing, Earth Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Physics are
encouraged to apply.

ISTA processes applications for its PhD
program once a year. To apply,
you have to create an online account, which will allow you to track your
application through its various stages. 

WHAT APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE REQUIRED?

We ask you to upload the following
documents to the application portal:

• CV
• Statement of purpose that
  explains your research experience and your motivation for applying to the
  ISTA PhD program. It should be 1-2 pages maximum. In your statement,
  specify up to three research groups you find the most interesting. At this
  stage you do not need to contact potential supervisors.
• University transcripts and diplomas of
  all degree programs and all years you have attended and/or are currently
  enrolled in (in English and in original language)
• Contact information of 3 referees