There are two ways to apply for a fully-funded PhD position

2026 March STEM Call - Shortfacts
  • Target group: Ambitious candidates with a strong academic track record who wish to pursue their doctorate in one of the research areas listed below.
  • Positions: More than 40 fully funded predoctoral positions across different research areas within the natural and life sciences. Of these, 6–7 PhD positions are opened by VDS-PhaNuSpo PIs/supervisors. Unless stated otherwise, the positions are offered for a period of three to four years.
  • Salary: According to the collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1)
  • Application period: 2 March - 27 March 2026, 12:00 CET

Visit the STEM-Call website for detailed information.

Call by individual supervisor

  • Open positions can be filled throughout the year, independent of the pooled calls. Those are posted at the University of Vienna's JobCenter Career website and potentially on DocSchool website.
  • If you have been recruited independently of a pooled call, please contact vds.phanuspo@univie.ac.at if you need, e.g. information about moving to Austria (visa requirements), but especially if you want to become part of the PhaNuSpo community and get involved.

Different routes to a doctoral degree

Funded doctoral candidates & PhaNuSpo members

Funded doctoral candidates have an employment contract with the University of Vienna as University Assistants under the supervision of a PI member of the VDS-PhaNuSpo. As employees they will be provided with a workplace at the University.

Becoming a member of the VDS-PhaNuSpo guarantees that the PhD student will benefit from the supervision structure of the doctoral school, participate in cohort-related activities and apply for additional funding for research and travel expenses.

Required steps

  1. Application for an open position
  2. Application for admission to the PhD programme in Pharmacy or Nutritional Sciences or Sport Science
  3. Consent to the Code of Good Practice for Doctoral School

Self-funded doctoral candidates & PhaNuSpo members

Doctoral candidates who have a supervisor who is a PI member of the VDS-PhaNuSpo may apply for admission to the VDS-PhaNuSpo. Once admitted, the doctoral candidates are expected to participate in the activities of the VDS-PhaNuSpo and to pass the Public Presentation (FÖP) and to sign the Doctoral Thesis Agreement within 6-12 months; they benefit from the supervisory structure of the VDS-PhaNuSpo and, if all requirements are met, can apply for funds such as completion and travel grants.

Required steps

  1. Application for admission to the PhD programme in Pharmacy or Nutritional Sciences or Sport Science
  2. Having a supervisor being a VDS-PhaNuSpo member
  3. Consent to the Code of Good Practice for Doctoral Schools

Independent self-funded doctoral candidates

It is possible to study in the doctoral programmes of Pharmacy, Nutrition and Sport Science without being employed by the University of Vienna and without being a member of VDS-PhaNuSpo.

But, please note that in this case, many offers and services of the VDS-PhaNuSpo are available.

Therefore, becoming a member of the VDS-PhaNuSpo opens up the opportunity to benefit from the supervision structure of the doctoral school, to participate in retreats/seminars/workshops organised and offered by the doctoral school and to apply for completion and travel grants.

Required steps

  1. Application for admission to the PhD programme in Pharmacy or Nutritional Sciences or Sport Science

Information sessions

The Center for Doctoral Studies of the Research Services and Career Development Unit of the University of Vienna offers information sessions on doctoral studies at the University of Vienna and online sessions on specific topics, e.g. on the admission procedure for doctoral/PhD studies, supervision, or entry and residence in Austria.