Job ID: 123125

20 Fully Funded PhD Fellowships in Neuroscience through the Excellent Brains PhD Program of the Cluster of Excellence “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease”

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 30 June 2025

Employment Start Date: 1 October 2025

Contract Length: 4 Years

City: Vienna, Klosterneuburg, Innsbruck

Country: Austria

Institution: Medical University of Vienna, Medical University of Innsbruck, University of Vienna, Institute of Science and Technology Austria

Department:

Description:

The recently established Cluster of Excellence (CoE) “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease” is offering up to 20 PhD positions in Neuroscience, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). These fellowships are open to talented and motivated graduates both from Austria and abroad. The successful candidates will conduct research at one of the five leading research institutions across Austria: Medical University of Vienna (MUV), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), University of Vienna (UNIVIE), Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA).

Job description:

The CoE brings together leading Austrian neuroscientists to explore the diversity and functional specializations of GABAergic cells, a key neuronal lineage critical to nervous system function and essential across all brain networks. Impairments in their function are linked to disorders like schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. With its focus on GABAergic cells, the CoE aims to integrate a range of cutting-edge concepts, methodologies, and tools from basic and clinical neurobiology to understand fundamental brain functions and the processes by which they become susceptible to diseases.

Successful candidates will become members of the Excellent Brains PhD Program of the CoE. The training will be distributed over the five participating institutions, offering a comprehensive and collaborative learning experience. It will include joint seminars, workshops, journal clubs, methodological courses and special courses focused on GABAergic cells. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to participate in up to three lab rotations in different institutions of the CoE, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge research and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Each student will be supervised by two experienced and internationally renowned supervisor and a mentor. The training will also provide a career development program along with workshops focused on soft skills development.

What we offer:

  • Fully funded PhD positions for 4 years
  • Be part of a stimulating, interdisciplinary scientific community
  • Opportunity to conduct research in dynamic, international teams led by world-class scientists
  • Work in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
  • Guidance in relocation in Austria

Requirements:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent*/# in neuroscience, biology, genetics, physiology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, psychology, and human medicine by employment start (should be no later than 31.10.2025). We highly encourage applications from students with a background in computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, physics, or mathematics, who are interested in applying their skills to neurobiology.
  • Research experience in relevant scientific areas.
  • Fully completed application form submitted before the relevant deadline, including references submitted by referees.
  • Full details of two referees with institutional email address, at least one of them should be the Master’s project supervisor.
  • High level of both spoken and written English (official certificate is not required).

 *Applicants with non-European Master’s degrees will be asked to provide GPA scores.

# Applicants with a degree equivalent to Master’s degree can only apply if:

  • They hold a 4 years Bachelor (BA or BSc) with First Class Honours and 240 ECTS in a Life Sciences related subject.
  • Provide the degree certificate and academic transcripts at the time of application submission.
  • They possess extensive research experience.

Application Deadline: 30.06.2025

The CoE is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in science. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of gender identity, nationality or background.

For a more detailed description of the research projects and PIs with open positions please visit our website.

How to Apply:

  1. Please look at the KRs offering open positions during this call. Choose three KRs with whom you would like to do your PhD.
  2. Please fill the Application Form.
  3. Attach your CV and Academic Diplomas and Transcript of Records as one PDF according to the instructions on the online Application Form. If your Academic documents are not in English, please provide a translation.
  4. Provide contact details for two referees. Note that one referee must be your Master’s thesis supervisor and that the referees must provide their reference until the deadline.

You will find clear instructions on filling the Application Form on our website. References will be requested from referees via email.

For further questions please contact Katalin Szigeti, PhD, the Training Unit Coordinator of the CoE (margit.katalin.szigeti@univie.ac.at).