MFPL Austria International PhD 2010 | Molecular Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Biophysics, Neurobiology and Bioinformatics

Max F. Perutz Laboratories
Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9
A-1030 Vienna, Austria

Max F. Perutz PhD Program 2010

The Max F. Perutz Laboratories offer students from all over the world the opportunity to participate in the Max F. Perutz PhD Program.

The Max F. Perutz Labs are a joint-venture of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna. Located at the Vienna Biocenter Campus, the Max F. Perutz Labs enable students to participate in high quality research in an international academic environment as well as establishing connections with nearby companies.

The MFPL PhD Program provides interdisciplinary training and research opportunities in a highly attractive and inspiring research environment for outstanding University Graduates who wish to work towards a PhD in the fields of Molecular Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Biophysics, Neurobiology and Bioinformatics.

PhD students have a primary affiliation with one of the participating research groups, and are enrolled as graduate students at the University of Vienna or the Medical University of Vienna. The language of the PhD Program is English. The duration of a thesis is 3 to 4 years.

All MFPL PhD students are employed with a full-time contract and a salary corresponding to the guidelines of the Austrian Research Funds (FWF). Students are recruited by a structured selection and interview process.

Admission

The program is open to students who hold a Master’s degree in the biosciences, chemistry, medicine, or related fields, or expect to finish their master study in 2010. Candidates above 30 years will not be considered.

Admission to the MFPL Graduate School is competitive, and solely carried out through a centralized selection procedure. Please note that applications can only be accepted via the online application system within the announced deadline. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted. Your participation during the interview procedure in Vienna is essential if you wish to be considered for admission to the program.

Deadline for applications: 5 April 2010 

Selection interviews: 6-8 June 2010

(organized together with the 'Molecular Mechansims of Cell Signaling' summer selection)

Evaluation of applications

The first evaluation takes into account the applicants’ national education system, and is carried out by a committee of MFPL group leaders. Applications of candidates which meet the requirements are recommended for further assessment by the Selection Committee, which jointly shortlists the candidates to be invited for a 3 days’ period of interviews in Vienna. Invitations are sent 5-6 weeks in advance.

The interview in Vienna

Each candidate will first be interviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of 3 faculty members. This committee evaluates the overall qualifications of the candidate. The candidates are expected to give a 15-minute presentation of their Master thesis and a 15-minute presentation/critical analysis of one of the papers on the list that will be sent together with the invitation. Furthermore, questions will be asked about the candidates’ background and research interests.

Based upon this first assessment, the top-ranked candidates are invited to proceed to individual interviews with with the group leaders of their choice.

Offers of admission

After the individual interviews, the candidates name their preferred research group. Admission is granted if the group leader, on his or her part, is willing to offer the position to the candidate.

The starting date will be agreed with the group leader. Selected candidates are expected to accept the offered position in writing within 2 weeks and start within 6 months after the selection. PhD students are initially accepted for three years, with the possibility of an extension for the fourth year.

Further Info : http://www.projects.mfpl.ac.at/mfpl-phd-selection/index.php?mid=1