Deadline: 15 January 2011
Open to: holders of a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science
Scholarship: competitive salary, travel expenses to conferences, German-language courses covered
The Graduate School of IST (Institute of Science and Technology) Austria in Klosterneuburg allows students to earn a PhD degree. It is open to applicants from all over the world holding either am MS or BS degree (or equivalent). PhD students will take advanced courses and contribute to the research of one or more scientific groups. They will be employed by the Institute and remunerated adequately for their contribution at an internationally competitive level. The language of research and instruction at IST Austria is English. The length of the doctoral studies depends on previous degrees and individual progress, and will on average last four to five years.
Requirements
Highly qualified students from all disciplines of the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science, 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 2011. 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 2011: Application files and reference letters must be received by January 15, 2011.
Benefits
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.
Application process
All applications must be received on-line through a web site. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2011, 24:00 CET.
Access the application site here
When applying, you will have to create an on-line account, 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
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 the IST with the subject “IST Austria – Request for Letter of Recommendation” 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, 2011.
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 word 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 2011. 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, 2011, 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.
