Fully funded interdisciplinary PhD Opportunities in AI/ML, Life Sciences, STEM, Public Health, and Medical Research at MedUni Vienna

Vienna, Austria

2025-11-30 (Europe/Vienna)

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The Medical University of Vienna invites applications for its upcoming PhD call, offering fully funded doctoral positions starting in spring 2026. Projects are available across a broad range of research areas, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, public health, life sciences, immunology, chemistry, cancer research, bioinformatics, and medical physics.

Please note: Applications are submitted to specific PhD projects, not to a general programme. Each project has its own eligibility criteria and required qualifications, as described in the individual project advertisements on the university website.

About the PhD Programmes

MedUni Vienna offers 18 structured PhD programmes designed to prepare graduates for independent research and professional roles in academia, industry, or the health sector. The programmes combine scientific training with practical research experience, enabling doctoral candidates to develop both disciplinary expertise and transferable skills relevant to research management and innovation.

Doctoral candidates become part of established research teams and are encouraged to design and conduct their own projects. There is no teaching obligation, allowing candidates to fully focus on research activities. Each programme provides supervision by experienced scientists and access to advanced research infrastructure.

The university is directly linked to one of the largest hospital networks in the German-speaking area, providing access to patient data, clinical collaborations, and biological samples for translational and patient-centred research.

Example of currently open PhD projects:

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Clinical pathways and decision support for patients suffering from acute chest pain
• AutoPiX (Imaging for Patient Benefit in Arthritis) – Explainable Deep Learning for Multimodal and Longitudinal Imaging Biomarkers
• Speaking Again – AI-Driven Voice Restoration of Pathological Speech
• Machine Learning and In Silico Modeling of Sex Differences in Temporomandibular Joint Function

Life Sciences

• Tumor Immunology – B Cells and Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Lung Cancer
• Altered Calcium-handling in the genesis of cardiac cancer-cachexia
• Characterization of undiagnosed Austrian LGMD patients
• LungEvity – understanding lung immunity in the context of age
• MASTer allergies – Understanding mast cells for innovative allergy therapeutics
• Evolution and biochemical control of skin pigmentation

Medical Physics

• Neurochemical characterisation of epileptogenic and cognitive networks with 7T MRSI

Public Health

• Clinical pathways and decision support for patients suffering from acute chest pain

A complete list of open PhD projects is available on the MedUni Vienna application portal. Applicants may select up to three projects of interest.

Your Role

As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Conduct independent research within your selected project and contribute to your team’s overall research goals
• Design, execute, and analyze your own studies using clinical, experimental, or theoretical approaches
• Present and publish your findings in scientific journals and at conferences
• Remain up to date with developments in your research area

During the doctorate, you will develop subject-matter depth and become an expert in your field.

Employment and Benefits

PhD candidates are employed by the Medical University of Vienna and receive a competitive salary, including full health insurance and pension benefits.
The initial contract is for one year, renewable for the duration of the dissertation based on satisfactory progress.

• Salary according to the Collective Agreement for University Employees or the FWF Doctoral Salary Agreement
• No tuition fees during the regular study period, including for non-EU students with researcher residence permits
• Annual student union fee of EUR 50
• Affordable living: Vienna offers a comparatively low cost of living among major European cities and is consistently ranked highly for quality of life

Learning and Development

The doctoral programmes aim to develop the following competencies:

• Expert-level knowledge of your research area
• Independent scientific thinking and research planning
• Technical, analytical, and data management skills
• Academic writing and presentation skills
• Personal and professional development for research-related careers

Each doctoral path is shaped by the student’s research interests and project goals.
Learn more about PhD life at MedUni Vienna here: https://youtu.be/2LArNw04Dl4

Eligibility

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (degree completion before programme start; applicants awaiting graduation may apply)
• Very good English skills (English is the working language of the programme)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
• Interest in developing and managing an independent research project

Preferred:

• Previous research experience of at least 4 months
• Experience abroad or in international collaborations

Applicants must also meet the project-specific requirements listed in the respective project advertisements on the application portal.

Application Process

You apply to individual PhD projects via the online portal: https://oc10.meduniwien.ac.at

• Application deadline: 30 November 2025, 23:55 CET
• Online interviews: Mid-December 2025
• Campus visit for selected candidates: End-January 2026

Applicants may select up to three projects. Review each project advertisement carefully and ensure you meet the project-specific requirements before applying.

Submit all required documents in English or German. Self-translations are accepted during the application process; official translations are required upon admission.

For details on the procedure, consult the PhD Call Application Manual or contact phdrecruitment@muv.ac.at.