For students entering the program, their research will focus on biology, neuroscience, computer science, and interdisciplinary areas. Students with a background in related disciplines, such as physics and mathematics, are also encouraged to apply.
IST Austria offers PhD student positions with the following faculty:
Evolutionary and Mathematical Biology
Plant Developmental Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Biophysics and Systems Biology
Game Theory and Software Systems Theory
Evolutionary and Behavioral Biology
Systems Neuroscience
Algorithms, Geometry and Topology
Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Physics
Developmental and Cell Biology of Plants
Systems and Synthetic Biology
Cell and Developmental Biology
Software Systems Theory
Developmental Neurobiology
Turbulence, Fluid Dynamics, Bio-Fluidics
Synthetic Physiology
Neuroscience
Computer Vision and Discrete Optimization
Computer Vision and Machine Learning
Epilepsy and Cognitive Disorders
Cryptography
Many-body Systems in Quantum Mechanics
Molecular Neuroscience
Cell and Developmental Biology
Cell Biology and Immunology
Biophysics and Neuroscience
Statistics
Combinatorics, Geometry, Topology
Computer Graphics
Program Description
The duration of the program is on average four to five years (depending on previous education and individual progress) and is divided into two phases: before and after the qualifying exam.
Students with a BS degree have at most two years from their start date, and students with an MS degree have one year from their start date, to pass the qualifying exam.
First part of PhD Studies
When joining the PhD program of IST Austria, a student may be part of a research group (with a Thesis Supervisor) from the beginning or start as unaffiliated student. The overall requirements are the same in both cases.
During the first phase a student must:
Do three lab rotations with three different professors (approx. two months each).
Fulfill a course requirement:
two introductory courses:"Introduction to Research at IST Austria" and "Scientific Presentation and Conduct"
Take four core (or the equivalent of eight half) modules.
Form a thesis committee and pass a qualifyingexam.
This includes finding a thesis supervisor (Professor or Assistant Professor of IST Austria), forming a thesis committee, preparing a thesis proposal and a reading list.
The qualifying exam consists of:
an oral presentation of the thesis proposal (normally 20 – 30 minutes), followed by an oral exam about the thesis proposal and the Reading List (normally 30 – 40 minutes).
Second Part of PhD Studies
After passing the qualifying exam, a PhD student works primarily on research towards a thesis.
Every student and supervisor hold regular progress reviews, and a committee of professors must approve each year that the student makes satisfactory progress towards completing the PhD degree.
A Thesis Defense must be scheduled within four years of passing the Qualifying Exam.
The thesis defense consists of a public oral presentation of the draft thesis (normally 40 – 50 minutes) in the presence of the thesis committee, followed by questions and answers on the thesis.
Once a final thesis is submitted, within two months of the defense, and accepted by the thesis committee, the PhD degree is awarded by the Institute.
Applications
IST Austria processes applications to its PhD program once a year, in January.
All admitted students start the program the following September.
On-line application for the 2014/15 academic year is now open at https://app.ist.ac.at/istapp/cgi/register.cgi
Requirements
Highly qualified students from all disciplines of the natural sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, and any interdisciplinary areas, who are committed to pursue their scientific career in an international research environment, are invited to apply. All applicants must hold a Master's or Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), or anticipate the completion of the degree before September 2014. Participating students are expected to be proficient in written and oral English.
IST Austria is committed to Equality and Diversity. In particular, female applicants are encouraged to apply.
Deadline for students wishing to enter the program starting in September 2014: Application files and reference letters must be received by January 15, 2014.
Admissions process
All applications will be reviewed and ranked by a selection committee consisting of professors of IST Austria. Short-listed candidates will be invited to IST Austria for interviews and a campus visit in March 2014. Travel expenses will be reimbursed and free accommodation will be provided. Final admission offers will be made shortly after the visit.
The deadline for students to accept or decline an offer is April 15, 2014.
Benefits for PhD students of the PhD program
All PhD students admitted to the program will be offered employment contracts at IST Austria and will receive an internationally competitive salary with full social security coverage. Entering students holding a Master's degree will have four-year contracts, and students holding a Bachelor's degree, five-year contracts. The contracts will be extended by one additional year if satisfactory progress is made towards a PhD degree.
In addition, the PhD program will provide support for:
Travel expenses to scientific conferences and workshops
Research stays abroad at collaborating institutions
German-language courses
Housing - a guest house and four apartment buildings - is available on the IST campus. Depending on availability, a room or apartment can be rented for a period of up to one year after arrival, giving incoming students time to find suitable accommodation for the subsequent years.
Applying
All applications must be received on-line through a web site. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2014.
When applying, you will have to create an on-line account with us, which will allow you to track your application through its various stages. Please note that you will not be able to switch between the different steps. You do not need to complete the process in one sitting, but you can return to your account until you submit the application. Once you have submitted your application, you won’t be able to make changes!
Instructions
Step 1: Create an account
Register on-line by entering your name and e-mail using the link listed above. You will receive an e-mail with the link to your user account immediately.
Step 2: Confirm your registration
Step 3: Recommendation Letters
Enter the names and e-mail addresses of 3 referees who have taught you or supervised your work and are therefore able to evaluate your academic and research performance. They will receive an e-mail directly from us with the subject “Request for Letter of Recommendation – IST Austria” with a link to an online platform.
Before submitting your referees’ details, make sure that they are willing and available to provide their recommendation within the given deadline (January 15). Keep in mind that your recommenders need time to write and submit the letters!
Please note that you will not be allowed to upload scanned letters of recommendation yourself! All letters of recommendation must be submitted by your referees via this platform.
Please note that we are unable to process your application without letters of recommendation. These letters are an integral part of your application, and it is your responsibility to ensure that all letters of reference are submitted by January 15, 2014.
Step 4: Application Form
In this step you will need to enter a resume/CV, a statement of purpose, details on your university education, and inform us which research area(s) you find most interesting. We recommend that you compose your CV and Statement of Purpose using a text processor, and then “cut and paste” it into the application. You will also be able to upload the documents in PDF format.
Make sure that you fill in all fields (resume, statement of purpose). If you wish to upload documents in the next step, make sure that you tick the appropriate box! Once you have moved on to the next step, you won't be able to return and make changes.
In your resume/CV include your educational history since high school, relevant work experience, additional qualifications, list (if any) publications, scholarships, awards, etc.
The statement of purpose is a 1-2 page essay in which you should explain why you want to enter our PhD program, the research area(s) you find most interesting, and indicate which professor(s) you may be interested in studying with. You do not need to contact specific group leader(s) at this point.
Step 5: Supporting Documents
Upload PDF copies of your university transcripts and diploma certificates. All applicants must hold a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), or anticipate the completion of the degree before September 2014. If your current course of study is still on-going, please provide the latest transcript and state when you expect to receive your degree.
In this step you will also be able to upload additional supporting documents such as publications, TOEFL/IELTS and/or GRE scores. As the language of instruction is English, these documents are helpful, but not mandatory. IST Austria TOEFL code: 6384.
Step 6: Submit your application.
The deadline for submission is January 15, 2014, 24:00 CET. Once you have done so, you won’t be able to change your application. At this stage you will be able to track the status of the letters of reference, and – if need be – are able to send out reminder e-mails.
More Info: http://ist.ac.at/graduate-school/
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