ISTA PhD Program 2027 in Austria (Fully Funded PhD with Salary at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria)

The ISTA PhD Program is a fully funded doctoral programme at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg, a 25-minute bus ride from Vienna. Applications for the 2027 intake are open now, and students from any country can apply with a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics, data science and scientific computing, astronomy, earth science or a related area. ISTA says it has no quota on international students and treats local and international applicants the same way. ISTA PhD students are employed by the institute. They receive internationally competitive salaries and full social security coverage, including health insurance, and ISTA charges no tuition fees and no application fee. Gross salaries in 2026 range from 3,053 to 3,673 euros a month, paid 14 times a year, depending on whether you join with a Bachelor's or a Master's degree, with a raise after the qualifying exam. Students also receive support to attend scientific conferences and workshops. ISTA does not pay for visa or relocation costs. The programme is taught in English and usually lasts about five years. In the first year you take courses and do rotations in at least three research groups before choosing your thesis supervisor; you then pass a qualifying exam and focus on your thesis research. There are seven tracks: Biology, Chemistry & Materials, Computer Science, Data Science & Scientific Computing, Mathematics, Neuroscience and Physics. ISTA admits around 80 students per intake, and the programme starts on 15 September 2027. You apply online through the ISTA application portal with a CV, a statement of purpose, answers to three short questions, transcripts and diplomas in English and the original language, and the contact details of three referees. No IELTS, TOEFL or GRE score is required. The deadline is 8 January 2027 at 3:00 pm CET, and referees must submit their letters by 12 January 2027 at 11:59 pm CET. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in late February and early March 2027, mostly online. Last checked on 26 October 2026 against ISTA's Graduate School pages: Apply, PhD Application & Admissions, Funding & Awards, At a Glance and the PhD Program FAQ.