The Medical University of Graz, the University of Graz and the Graz University of Technology and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) offer international PhD programs in "Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease" (DK-MCD), "Molecular Fundamentals of Inflammation" (DK-MOLIN), and "Molecular Medicine" that provide an in-depth, multidisciplinary training in biomedical research in a stimulating international environment.
The thesis projects focus on aspects of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, as well as novel therapeutic targets, and integrate basic research and clinically-oriented sciences utilizing a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art techniques.
Selected PhD students get employed for 3 years with a contract that includes social benefits. Moreover, DK-MCD and DK-MOLIN students will be encouraged to spend up to one year abroad joining other collaborating laboratories with the possibility of a 4th year extension of their contract.
Applicants must hold (or be close to obtaining) an undergraduate degree equivalent to a Master in any discipline of natural or life sciences or medicine. The selection procedure, all training activities and communications will be in English. Thus, excellent written and spoken English skills are required.
PhD Research Positions
The competitive excellence doctoral programs are open for highly motivated students in medicine and life sciences.
The PhD program implements the third cycle of the Bologna process (the roadmap of the European Union for higher education). Thus, PhD students are seen as students who are offered education and guidance for their benefit and as young researchers who contribute to the scientific success of our universities.
The positions
PhD students will be fully employed at the respective university including social benefits with a net salary (after deduction of taxes, health and pension insurance) of approximately EUR 19.700 per year. Given the cost of living in Graz, this is not extravagant but sufficient for a decent living. The universities waive the costs of the PhD enrolment.
Parallel to the employment one has to enroll as a PhD student. Successful applicants will be involved in highly competitive research projects working towards their thesis. A successful PhD student will have to show considerable engagement beyond formal working hours.
Duration of the contract
Funding is initially granted for a period of up to three years, which will be a typical duration for the PhD thesis. Moreover, DK-MCD and DK-MOLIN students will be encouraged to spend up to one year abroad joining other collaborating laboratories with the possibility of a 4th year extension of their contract. There is a constant monitoring of the performance of the student by the thesis committee. In case the committee is dissatisfied with a student's performance, it is obliged to take actions which - in extreme cases - may include a premature termination of the employment contract.
Formal requirements a student has to fulfill to obtain a PhD degree
PhD students are enrolled at the Medical University of Graz (MUG), the University of Graz (UG) or at the Graz University of Technology (TUG) as PhD students, and they have to conform to the requirements of the respective universities. Basically, the university curricula require participation in a number of lecture courses (in fact, rather few, typically 2 hours per week) during the PhD work. At the end, the student has to submit a written thesis. After its approval, there is a PhD exam, which consists of a presentation of the thesis by the student, followed by questions from two to three examiners. These questions typically relate to the thesis work and its scientific background. Doctoral students are expected to plan and pursue a training program that goes beyond this "legal minimum" imposed by the university laws. They take responsibility for organizing guest speakers, journal clubs and technical workshops, participate in all events and contribute to the open laboratory policy of the consortia. Dissemination of scientific results is crucial to the programs' goals. Students are offered laboratory training courses and courses to gain complementary skills. Students are expected to report regularly to their thesis committees, to present at the doctoral studies retreat and at international meetings. Students should conclude their projects with publications in international journals.
Who can apply?
Students of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. The language of instruction is English and applicants are expected to be highly proficient in this language. Applicants should hold an equivalent of a masters' degree in natural or life sciences (chemistry, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology or related areas) or in medicine which included a written master thesis. Students must fulfil all eligibility requirements for entering PhD education in the country where they completed their master's education (typically the home country).
Students who have not yet finished their Masters' degree have to graduate until 1st December 2014. The master's thesis supervisor must confirm this in his/her letter of recommendation.
We offer PhD thesis projects to the most interested, ambitious, motivated and intelligent students to educate them for a career as scientists on an international level. Candidates are selected irrespective of sex, race or nationality.
Research projects of the current call
You may have a look at the concepts of the programs, the faculties and then read the respective thesis projects. Choose three of them and include an original statement in your application form why you are interested in the particular projects.
- Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease (DK-MCD)
- Molecular Fundamentals of Inflammation (DK-MOLIN)
- Molecular Medicine (MolMed)
Deadline for applications: September 21, 2014.
For further details and application please visit the International PhD Positions in Medicine and Life Sciences in Austria page.
