Austria | 40 PhD Positions at the University of Vienna – Fully Funded
Applications are now open for the Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 at the University of Vienna, offering at least 40 fully funded doctoral (PhD) positions in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and cultural studies. This is a fully funded opportunity through employment contracts (no tuition fees or application fees mentioned; it’s a paid pre-doctoral position). International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
The application period runs from 7 January 2026 to 2 March 2026 (14:00 CET), with positions starting between 1 July and 1 October 2026 (official start 1 October 2026). Eligible candidates are highly qualified graduates (or soon-to-graduate Master’s holders) with a strong research proposal that aligns with one of the participating doctoral schools.
What This Scholarship Offers:
- A competitive salary (gross ~€2,786/month for 30h/week, 14 payments/year) providing financial security during your studies
- Full employment status with social security contributions, health insurance, and pension benefits included
- Dedicated workspace and access to university resources, libraries, and research facilities
- High-quality supervision from leading experts in a large pool of around 300 eligible supervisors
- Structured doctoral training, international networking opportunities, conferences, publications, and mobility support
- Membership in vibrant research communities within one of Europe’s top universities
- Living and working in Vienna, consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities
Key Details:
- Host Country: Austria
- Host University: University of Vienna
- Funding Type: Fully funded employment contract (30 hours/week)
- Application Fee: None
- Language: English
- Application Deadline: 2 March 2026, 14:00 CET
Eligibility Criteria:
- Will complete a relevant Diploma or Master’s degree (or equivalent) by 30 June 2026 in a field related to one of the participating doctoral schools
- Have a strong academic record and a clear, compelling doctoral research project idea
- Can align your proposed project with the research focus of one of the doctoral schools
- Are available to start employment between 1 July and 1 October 2026
- Meet the University of Vienna’s general doctoral admission requirements by the start date (including language proficiency, typically C1 level in English or German depending on the program)
How to Apply:
- Verify Eligibility — Confirm you’ll finish your Master’s by 30 June 2026 and meet admission rules.
- Research Doctoral Schools — Explore participating schools and their focuses (no supervisor contact needed yet).
- Select Supervisor/Topic — Identify potential supervisors from the school’s lists (note them accurately in your application).
- Create account — Register for a University of Vienna account if you don’t have one.
- Submit Online — Use the central application portal (available from 7 January 2026) — upload your research proposal, CV, transcripts, proof of qualifications, and other required documents.
- Apply to one doctoral school only.
- Follow the official User Guide for details.