We are looking for highly qualified candidates to apply for the ISTA PhD program.
The application portal for the 2025 PhD call is now open.
The deadline to submit applications is January 8, 2025, 2:59 PM CET. The deadline to change the referee detail is also January 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM CET. Referees must submit letters of recommendation by January 12, 2025 midnight CET.
Learn more on what the PhD program at ISTA has to offer here. For more details on the curricular structure, consult this page.
Inform yourself about how to apply to the program and the process by taking a closer look at the application page. and download the manual on how to complete the application form.
If you have further questions that are not answered in the pages above, please contact us.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Students Eligible to Apply
ISTA welcomes students with different academic backgrounds who can bring their skills and experiences to the scientific setting.
Students with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics, data science and scientific computing, astronomy, earth science and related areas are encouraged to apply.
How Do I Apply?
ISTA processes applications to its PhD program once a year. To apply, you have to create an online account, which will allow you to track your application through its various stages. We do not accept applications and documents received outside of this system. The application portal is available during the application period only (second half of October until the deadline).
Please fill out the form using a web browser on a desktop computer. Web browsers on mobile devices (i.e. Android, iPhone, iPad, etc.) are not supported.
Download the manual on how to complete the application form.
What Application Materials Are Required?
Before starting your application we ask you to familiarize yourself with the research groups working at ISTA, the type of research done, and the philosophy of the PhD program. We ask you to submit the following:
- CV
- Statement of purpose (SoP) The Statement of Purpose is an important part of your application. In it, please share with us anything that prepares you for graduate-level research. For instance, you can describe your past research projects, motivation, skills, and background relevant to the research areas and groups you selected on the application form. Try to be as specific as possible about your experiences, with an emphasize on the technical skills you master.
- Address the following points (5-8 lines max):
- An important goal of the first year in the Graduate School is to find an academic home by affiliating with a research group. Taking into account that a successful affiliation does not depend only on your own preferences, you might consider multiple options. Based on your research interests and background, which group(s) would be relevant for you, in what order, and why? Please specify up to three research groups at ISTA.
- During the first year in the Graduate School you need to complete three rotations in three research groups. Explain which groups you would choose and why. The Graduate School encourages students to consider one rotation outside of their field of expertise; should you decide to explore this option, which research group would you consider and why?
- Choose a paper by an ISTA professor describing research that you would have liked to be a part of, please give its DOI citation, briefly explain the key finding(s), and tell us why you find this research exciting and/or why you would have liked to have been involved. Use your own words.
- University transcripts and diplomas of all degree programs and all years you have attended and/or are currently enrolled in (both in English and in original language). Transcripts need to include the full list of courses attended and corresponding grades.
- Contact information of 3 referees who can assess your academic and research performance.
All documents must be submitted in English. Copies of university transcripts must be in both English and in their original language.
What Are the Selection Criteria?
The selection committee uses a collection of indicators to evaluate the applicant’s preparedness, motivation, and potential. The following will be considered:
- Undergraduate performance: overall, with a special focus on relevant field-specific courses.
- Reference letters provided by professors and senior scientists: one letter from industry is acceptable, but letters from an academic background are given priority; referees are asked to address analytical capabilities, technical proficiency, ability to work independently and motivation/commitment.
- Statement of purpose: the applicant’s past research experience and motivation for applying to this particular PhD program: is it a good academic fit? How does the program contribute to the candidate’s future career plans?, etc.
- Additional relevant skills (field-specific): demonstrated in, e.g., internships and/or participation in research projects, participation in science Olympiads, programming languages, lab techniques, etc.
- Transferable skills: e.g. communication skills, experience with working in teams, previous mobility and international experiences, leadership experience as demonstrated in student organizations, etc.
- Diversity: e.g. a woman in computer science/math/physics; an applicant who switched fields, etc.
Application and Selection Timeline
The call for the 2025 PhD program will open in the second half of October 2024. The first review process will be completed in the course of February. Candidates will notified about their status by the beginning of March.
Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews, to take place in March/April Interviews may be conducted either remote or onsite. Offer letters will be sent after the interview period, and candidates can accept or decline the offer of admission by 15 April. The start of the PhD program is uniformly on 15 September.
| Application opens | 2nd half of October |
| Application closes | January 8, 2025, 2:59 PM CET |
| Pre-selection meetings | February |
| Student Interviews | late February to mid March |
| Final selection meetings | mid to 2nd half of March |
| Offers sent out | after the final selection meeting |
| Offer need to be accepted | 15 April |
| Start of PhD program | 15 September |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For more information about the application process and PhD admissions, please read the FAQ page.
If you have any questions about the PhD program, please contact phd.admissions@ista.ac.at