According to the Statutes of the University of Vienna, doctoral candidates have to pass the public presentation (FÖP) of their dissertation project within the first year of study. The research proposal (exposé) and the public presentation are the prerequisites for the approval and the conclusion of the doctoral thesis agreement.

The procedure for presenters is as follows

  • Six weeks before the FÖP, the registration documents must be submitted to vds.phanuspo@univie.ac.at (dates and list of documents see below).
  • The exposé is then reviewed by two VDS PhaNuSpo PI-Panel members and the reviews are returned to the doctoral candidates. The reviewers shall provide valuable feedback on the research projects and assess whether the projects meet scientific standards and can be successfully completed within a reasonable period of time.
  • The doctoral candidates present their project at the FÖP.
  • The FÖP is chaired by the Heads of the VDS PhaNuSpo (=doctoral study programme directors (DSPLs)) and attended by supervisors, TAC, PIs, PhD students and is open to the public. 
  • After the presentation, based on the reviews and presentation, the topic and supervisors and TAC are approved by the respective DSPL.
  • If the research plan is not approved, the doctoral student has the possibility to withdraw the application, adapt the research proposal and reapply for the FÖP.

The public presentation serves the following purposes

  • To introduce the new doctoral candidate and their research topic, supervisor(s) and TAC to a wider audience.
  • The FÖP offers all participants a platform for feedback, exchange and networking.

Next public presentation (FÖP) on 17 June 2025

 FÖP dates: Summer semester 2025

Date: Tuesday 17 June 2025
Where: HS-4 (room 2Z 221) at the UZAII - Pharmaziezentrum
1090 Vienna

For presenters: Registration deadline on 6 May 2025.
Online Q&A session (ZOOM) on Tuesday 15 April, 9:30 am.

 FÖP dates: Study year 2025/26

Three FÖPs at UZAII (Pharmaziezentrum) and one at USZ (Schmelz).

Winter semester 2025/26
Nov. 2025 and Jan. 2026

Deadline to register: 6 weeks before each FÖP.
Exact dates will be announced as soon as possible.

Summer semester 2026
March 2026 and June 2026

Deadline to register: 6 weeks before each FÖP.
Exact dates will be announced as soon as possible.

Presenters: What do I need to register for the FÖP?

Required documents

Please email the documents to vds.phanuspo@univie.ac.at.

  • The Exposé: max. 10 pages, in English, as one single PDF-file, Guidelines and Exposé template below.
  • The completed and signed form SL/D11 "Registration of the topic of the doctoral thesis and the supervisors"
  • Completed and signed form SL/W1 "Regulations relating to good scientific practice".
  • NEW: DPM- Research Data Management Plan: Strongly recommended but not required.
    • Why should I do this? A well-designed DMP ensures that your data is organised, reproducible and meets funder or journal expectations, allowing you to spend more time on your research.
    • It helps to document licensing and publication decisions early, avoiding confusion later on about how your data will be published and shared.
    • The DMP is a living document that evolves with your research project and helps to monitor progress.
    • You will have to deal with DMP plans in the future (e.g. funder requirements).
    • Preparation Workshop: Attend the Research Data Management (RDM) Workshop before you register for the FÖP, offered twice per semester.
    • Support: The RDM Data Steward will provide valuable feedback on your completed DMP, also prior to your presentation date.
  • If required, the forms SL/D12 (closed to the public) and/or SL/W4 (approval of financial support)
  • Please name your files as follows: Expose_Surname.pdf, SL.D11_Surname.pdf, etc.
  • Info - Next step after passing the FÖP: The doctoral thesis agreement must be submitted within one month.

With your exposé and your presentation you

  • demonstrate that you have carefully planned and thought through your doctoral project.
  • provide a comprehensive summary of your doctoral project to the members of the faculty.
  • allow the faculty to assess the quality and feasibility of your research project, to give valuable and constructive input and ultimately approve your doctoral thesis project.
  • If your project is part of a larger competitive, third-party funded and collaborative project, you will need to take particular attention to ensure that your individual contribution to the project leads to your doctoral qualification.

Exposé: structure and content

Please use the Expose template. The Exposé consist of:

A) Title Page

  • (Working) title of your dissertation project
  • Your name, student number and email address
  • TAC - Thesis Advisory Committee: at least a three 3 experts in your research topic, consisting of
    • Supervisor(s): minimum 1, must be a habilitated or tenured professor, one of the supervsiors must be from the University of Veinna (PhaNuSp PIpanel)
    • Advisor(s): optimal 2, can be an experienced postdoc, senior scientist or professor. They can be from the University of Vienna or external.
  • Funding: salary/fellowship/others and costs for consumables

B) Main part: maximum 10 pages (font size 11 pt, minimum line spacing 1) and consisting of

  • Introduction: Background, current stateof research, what is your specific area of research, where are you starting from.
  • Aims, main questions, significance of your research: Research questions/hypothesis, what do you want to achieve and answer with your thesis project, why is this important.
  • Research methos and workplan: What methods and experimental setups will you use to address your aims and research questions? What infrastructure and/or collaborators do you need or you have on your disposal? Which methods are already running in your lab, which will need to be established or optimised?
  • Timetable: When do you plan to do what and achieve your goals. Please provide a Gantt chart.
  • Contingency plan & risk analysis: Where do you see potential problems in following your research plan? Have you considered solutions/alternatives?
  • Funding/Financial stability to conduct PhD studies: For example, are you employed by the University of Vienna or another institution, can you work full-time or part-time on your dissertation project, description of funding such as coverage of consumables, etc.?
  • TAC Committee: Choice of your supervisor(s) and advisor(s) including their affiliation, etc.

C) Cited References

Tips

  • Visit the public presentations! This will give you a first impression of what is expected of you. It is also a great way to find out about current research projects at your doctoral school.
  • The Center for Doctoral Studies and the Talent Acquisition and Development unit regularly offer workshops on outline and academic writing. Vist the u:rise database and book directly there.