Yes. Please note that you need to provide the official master degree certificate and academic transcripts latest 6 months from the application deadline.
In the application form, please upload your confirmation of enrollment in place of the certificate and the academic transcripts at the time of application.

You can apply without a master degree only if you have an equivalent degree: 4 years Bachelor (BA or BSc) with First Class Honours in a Life Sciences related subject.

In the application form, please provide the details of your degree equivalent to a master degree in the section “Education” > “Master degree or Diploma” by selecting “Other (please specify)” in the dropdown menu.

In the following section “Have you completed a Bachelor's programme?” please indicate “No”, to avoid the need to provide again the same information.

In the "Education" section you need to upload (only certified translations of degrees and certificates into German or English will be accepted): 

• your Master degree certificate and transcripts
• your Bachelor degree certificate and transcripts

In the “Enrollment information” section you need to upload:

• your passport/ID card
• your residence permit (if necessary)
• optional: language certificates

Yes, only certified translations of degrees and certificates into German or English will be accepted.
Most universities provide an English version of the documents.

You will need to write three essays in the application form:
1.Project description of past research experience (max 2500 characters)
2.Scientific interests for the PhD (max 2500 characters)
3.Letter of motivation (max 1500 characters)

The program language is English throughout. Proficiency in English is therefore required. A formal proof of competence in English (IELTS, CPE or TOEFL) is recommended but not mandatory.

1. The link to access the application portal: phd.careers.univie.ac.at/auth/external-reviewer/anmelden
2. Their professional email address you used to register them in the application form (it will be required for verification for your referee to access the application form).
3. The link to the instructions on how to provide a reference. 

You may replace one referee with another. Please send the institutional email address of your new referee to vbcphdselection@univie.ac.at. Indicate clearly which referee you want to replace.

Note: In the last week of the application procedure it is no longer possible to exchange or add referees!

Yes. You can add it yourself in the “Reference module (Referee 3; optional)”.

You can see in the application form that the referees fields are green when completed. Once both mandatory references are submitted you will be able to submit the application.

Yes. You will receive an email confirmation of your submission and you can access and edit your application until the deadline.

No. It is neither necessary nor recommended to contact group leaders directly. Students who are invited for an interview will receive a list of open positions and project descriptions before coming to Vienna.

The list of open positions is available online and the final list is published after the application deadline. Shortlisted students will receive a copy in due time before the interviews.

Normally not.  In exceptional cases an applicant may apply a second time (at least one year after previous application) if significant additional research experience can be shown.

There is no specific starting dates but due to scheduled training events there are time periods when students should begin work.  Please check our application deadlines page for detailed information.

The Vienna BioCenter PhD program is a four year program with possibility of extension, fully funded.

For information regarding the tuition fee please check the relevant page on this site.

All PhD positions are fully funded. Please find more information under benefits.

The Vienna BioCenter has a welcome office collecting relevant information about life in Vienna: https://welcome.vbc.ac.at/ 

Visas and Residence permits ("Niederlassungsbewillingung") for non-EU nationals will be organized with the help of your future supervisor in your home country before you arrive in Vienna. Depending on the institute that you join the personnel department of IMP/IMBA/GMI or the departmental secretaries at Max Perutz Labs will give advice and provide the letters you need.  The Vienna BioCenter also has a welcome office to help foreign nationals with visas and other assistance: https://welcome.vbc.ac.at/