Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme

Overview

The Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme is a fully funded doctoral school in molecular biology and the life sciences, based in Vienna, Austria. It is run jointly by the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna together with a cluster of research institutes on the same campus: the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), the Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), and the Max Perutz Labs. That concentration of labs in one place gives you an unusually wide choice of research groups for a single application.

The programme is taught and run entirely in English, and it is open to applicants from anywhere in the world. You join as an employed researcher on a four-year contract, with the possibility of an extension, and you are paid a salary set by the Austrian collective agreement. Health, pension, accident, and unemployment insurance come with the employment, and the programme supports relocation and visa costs for international students.

Selection happens twice a year through a spring call and an autumn call. Successful applicants are invited to a recruitment week where they meet group leaders and visit labs before matching with a research group. This guide explains who can apply, what the funding covers, the fee situation for non-EU students, and how to build a competitive application.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme (University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna with partner institutes IMP, IMBA, GMI, Max Perutz Labs)
Host Country	Austria
Degree Levels	PhD
Value	Fully funded four-year position (extension possible) with a salary per the Austrian collective agreement; full social insurance; relocation and visa support
Deadline	Two calls per year: spring call deadline around 15 April; autumn call deadline around 15 October (23:59 CET)
Eligible Nationalities	Open worldwide
Official Website	training.vbc.ac.at/phd-programme/applications

Eligibility Criteria

Academic background

You should hold or be about to finish a relevant degree in molecular bioscience, life sciences, or biology. Applicants who are still completing their qualifying degree can apply, as long as they will have it in hand by the time they would start.

Research fit

The programme is multidisciplinary, so candidates come from across the life sciences and adjacent fields. What matters is a genuine interest in molecular and cell biology research and the motivation to commit to a four-year doctoral project.

Nationality and language

Applications are open to candidates worldwide. The working language of the programme is English, so you apply, study, and work in English without needing German.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A fully funded four-year PhD position, with the possibility of an extension
• A salary set by the Austrian collective agreement (in 2025, roughly EUR 39,000 to 42,900 gross per year depending on the institute)
• Health, pension, accident, and unemployment insurance through the employment contract
• Reimbursement of visa expenses for international students
• Language courses
• Reimbursement of tuition fees, and structured training and professional development

How to Apply

1. Pick the right call. Decide whether you are applying in the spring call (opens around 1 March) or the autumn call (opens around 1 September), and work to that call's deadline.
2. Create your account. Set up a u:account so you can access the application portal, then open the online application.
3. Complete the online form. Enter your education, research experience, and the research areas or groups that interest you.
4. Upload your documents. Add your CV, transcripts, and any other materials the portal requests.
5. Arrange your references. Nominate your referees early. Both referees need to submit their references before you can submit your own application, so give them time.
6. Submit before the deadline. File your application by 23:59 CET on the call deadline, around 15 April for spring or 15 October for autumn.
7. Attend the recruitment week. Shortlisted candidates are invited to meet group leaders, see the labs, and interview before group matching and offers.

Required Documents

• Curriculum vitae
• Academic transcripts and degree records
• Two references, submitted by your referees through the portal before you submit
• Any additional materials the online application requests, such as a statement of motivation

Key Dates & Deadlines

Call	Opens	Deadline
Spring call	Around 1 March	Around 15 April, 23:59 CET
Autumn call	Around 1 September	Around 15 October, 23:59 CET

Exact dates shift slightly each year, so confirm the current deadline on the official applications page before you submit.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Identify specific research groups across the four partner institutes and explain why they fit your interests
• Highlight wet-lab or computational research experience, including a thesis or research internship
• Contact and brief your referees well before the deadline, since they must submit before you can
• Show that you understand the four-year commitment and are ready for it

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving references to the last minute and getting locked out of submission
• Writing a motivation that names no groups and shows no awareness of the institutes
• Missing the call deadline by assuming you can submit after your referees do
• Overlooking the non-EU semester fee when planning your budget

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme fully funded?

Yes. The Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme provides a fully funded four-year PhD position with a salary set by the Austrian collective agreement and full social insurance.

How long is the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme?

The position runs for four years, with the possibility of an extension if your project needs more time.

Do non-EU students pay a fee for the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme?

Non-EU/EEA students pay a semester fee of about EUR 726.72 plus the students' union fee, unless they are granted EU-equal status. EU/EEA citizens are exempt for eight semesters and pay only the small union fee.

When are the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme deadlines?

There are two calls each year. The spring call deadline is around 15 April and the autumn call deadline is around 15 October, both at 23:59 CET.

Which institutes are part of the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme?

The programme is run by the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna with the IMP, IMBA, GMI, and the Max Perutz Labs, all on the Vienna BioCenter campus.

Is the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme taught in English?

Yes. English is the working language of the programme, so you can apply, study, and do research without German.

Who can apply to the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme?

Applicants from anywhere in the world can apply if they hold or are finishing a relevant degree in molecular bioscience, life sciences, or biology.

Does the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme cover relocation and visa costs?

Yes. The programme reimburses visa expenses for international students and offers language courses and other support to help you settle in.

How many references does the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme require?

You need two references. Both referees must submit their references through the portal before you can submit your own application.

What salary does the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme pay?

The salary follows the Austrian collective agreement and, in 2025, ranged from roughly EUR 39,000 to 42,900 gross per year depending on the institute.

What happens after I apply to the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme?

Shortlisted candidates are invited to a recruitment week to meet group leaders, visit the labs, and interview before being matched with a research group and receiving offers.

Can I apply to the Vienna BioCenter PhD Programme before I finish my current degree?

Yes. You can apply while finishing a relevant degree, as long as you will have completed it by the time you would start the position.