FAQs to the STEM Call

Applicants are expected to hold a Diploma or Master’s degree in the field they are applying to, or in a closely related discipline. 

Please note that information about the eligibility of your specific Master‘s degree (e.g. concerning credits, relation to discipline) cannot be provided beforehand. 

Any additional requirements can be found in the description of the respective PhD positions.

Yes, you may apply before completing your Master’s degree, provided that you can submit your Master’s certificate before the start of your employment and enrolment in the doctoral programme.

If your official diploma is not yet available at the time of application, you must upload an official confirmation from your university (e.g. issued by your supervisor or programme coordinator), including a current transcript of records. The confirmation should state that all degree requirements are expected to be completed in the near future and that the certificate will be available before the position begins. This confirmation must be uploaded in the application form in place of the diploma.

Yes. International applicants with degrees from foreign universities are welcome. 

The application period is based on the dates published on the University of Vienna careers page: https://careers.univie.ac.at/en/praedoc.  Applications must be submitted during this period through the University of Vienna PhD Selection Tool. Unless you already have a u:account, please register for a u:account first.

After successfully registering for a u:account, please use the „Apply now“ button on the call‘s webpage only. We advise you not to wait with your submission until the last day of the application period in case of technical issues.

A complete application consists of the fully complete application form and the correctly uploaded PDF files. The form can be saved and edited using the save function until it is finally submitted. Once submitted, you can still edit your application until the application deadline.

Please upload the following documents as PDF files in the form where indicated:

• Master, Bachelor and/or Diploma degree certificates and transcript of records or diploma supplements
• Official identification document (passport or ID card) for enrolment
• If applicable and available: Residence permit, language certificate(s)

No, there are no requirements regarding line spacing, font type, or formatting. However, we strongly recommend submitting well-structured, clearly organized, and easy-to-read documents. 

Applications need to be submitted in English.

You will receive an automatic confirmation email after you have submitted the form successfully.

Yes. You may edit your application until the deadline of the open call. After this time, no further changes are possible. 

No. Only one application can be submitted. However, within that application, you may indicate interest in up to two positions or supervisors. If necessary, you can edit your already submitted application until the end of the application period. If, by mistake, more than one application was submitted, only the last application submitted will be considered.

Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to submit. In case of technical problems, please contact the programme coordination team before the deadline at phdcareers(at)univie.ac.at . Technical issues reported after the deadline cannot be considered.

Depending on the field of doctoral research and the intended doctoral project, a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral programme is usually language proficiency in German and/or English corresponding to level C1.

While language certificates are not mandatory, please provide any language certificate available or upload a document in which you list your level of language proficiency and explain on how you achieved this level of language competences (e.g. mother tongue, “through my Master’s Programme in an English speaking country”, “through three years of work experience at a German speaking institution”, …)

Candidates successfully going through the pre-selection process will further prove their actual language competences in the interview phase.

No, you do not need to submit letters of recommendation at the application stage. If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you may be asked to provide one or more letters of recommendation at a later stage.

A separate CV upload is not required, as all relevant information is captured through the structured fields of the online application form. This ensures that all applicants provide comparable information in a standardised format and allows for a fair and transparent evaluation process.

No, your application will also be the basis for the admission process to the doctoral programme.

Interviews are usually scheduled within two months after the application deadline. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted in advance.

This depends on the position you are applying for. If you are invited to an interview, you will be informed at an early stage whether it will take place online or in person.

The interview explores your motivation for pursuing a doctorate, your research potential, and the alignment between your project and the supervisor(s).

In general, applications are reviewed within the first month after the deadline, and invitations to interviews are typically issued during this period. Interviews are expected to take place in the second month following the deadline, with final decisions communicated shortly thereafter. Enrolment in the doctoral programme is expected to take place by the next regular semester at the latest. Please note, however, that this timeline is indicative only, as the selection process is carried out by the participating doctoral schools and principal investigators (PIs).

Selection is based on the academic excellence of the applicant, the quality, originality and feasibility of the research proposal, and its fit with the project of the selected supervisor(s).

Yes. If you are not selected in the current call, you are welcome to apply for other predoctoral positions announced at the University of Vienna in the future, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

The employment start date may vary depending on the position. Unless stated otherwise in the respective job announcement, the position is expected to commence as soon as possible. Enrollment in the doctoral study programme is expected by the next regular semester at the latest.

Non-EU/EEA applicants must obtain the required visa or work permit. The University of Vienna will support you by providing the necessary documentation, but the application process itself is your responsibility.

Yes, the position requires your physical presence in Vienna.

Yes, a workspace will be provided to you.

Praedoc positions at the University of Vienna are paid in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff (Uni-KV). The monthly gross salary in salary group B1 currently amounts to € 2,786.10 for a workload of 30 hours per week, paid 14 times per year.

The gross salary is subject to deductions for income tax (which is progressive) and social security contributions. Social security coverage is comprehensive and includes health insurance (also covering family members and unemployed partners), pension contributions, and unemployment insurance.

To estimate your net salary, you may use the Arbeiterkammer gross-to-net calculator: https://bruttonetto.arbeiterkammer.at.  

No, employees of the University of Vienna are exempt from tuition fees. Please note: You have to pay the Students Union fee (currently € 25,20) each semester. Otherwise, your admission expires automatically. 

Yes. As an employee of the University of Vienna, you are entitled to parental leave in accordance with Austrian employment law.

The collective bargaining agreement includes the possibility of teaching duties. However, this may vary depending on the specific position, in particular if it is funded by a third-party project. In such cases, the possibility of teaching should be discussed with your supervisor and the director of the doctoral study programme.

This should be discussed with your supervisor(s), department and/or Doctoral School at the start of your employment.