Instructions to Apply
To submit your application, you must log in into your Microsoft account. If you do not have one you must create an account to be able to save your filled application form.
IMPORTANT
- Please note that incomplete or incorrectly filled application forms, as well as applications missing the two references will not be considered for review.
- We kindly request that candidates read carefully the instructions to apply, and upload only ONE merged PDF containing the CV+Academic Records, named as written below. The Reviewing committee will not revise any other uploaded document.
- Please ensure that the referees’ email addresses are correct, as we will be unable to contact them for a reference otherwise.
- Applications that are not sent according to the requirements will not be considered for revision.
- Applications and references will not be accepted after the deadline of the PhD Call.
Overview of the Application Form
The online application form has 7 sections. Candidates are kindly asked to fill the questionnaire carefully. Once submitted the application form can be saved as a PDF and/or can be saved for editing during the application window. A sample questionnaire can be downloaded from here to have an overview on the questions that need to be answered. At the end of the application candidates must save their application as a PDF because once submitted, they cannot access it.
Sections of the Application Form:
- Section 1: Personal data
- Section 2: Education
- Section 3: Research experiences
- Section 4: Application data:
- Candidates are kindly asked to specify 3 researchers (in order of preference) whose lab they would like to join for their PhD studies. See the list of KRs with open positions.
- Candidates must submit a scientific statement on why they want to join the Excellent Brain PhD Program.
- Candidates must submit a research statement describing their most recent research project (i.e. Master thesis) focusing on the background, aim and major findings of this project. They should highlight their specific contributions.
- Section 5: Other questions related to data protection and consent.
- Section 6: Attachments.
- Candidates must upload their CV and a copy of their Academic Diplomas and Transcript of Records as one PDF named as NameLastname_PhDApplication.
- All documents must be submitted in English. Copies of university transcripts must be in both English and in their original language.
- Documents can be uploaded using the link in the questionnaire (The uploaded files will be securely stored in a dedicated Microsoft OneDrive cloud space, specifically designated for the Excellent Brains PhD Program).
- Section 6: List of referees:
- Applicants must provide contact details for 2 referees (one must be the Master`s thesis supervisor).
- Referees will be contacted by email and will receive all the information for submitting their reference.
- It is the candidate`s responsibility to contact referees in advance to ask for a reference and to remind them to submit it before the deadline.
The online applications will be reviewed by three KRs of the CoE, and the best applicants will be short-listed. If there is something that needs to be clarified candidates will be contacted via zoom/teams/E-mail.
Online Application Form
To apply, candidates must fill an online questionnaire via MS FORMS.

Contact person: For further inquiries please contact Katalin Szigeti, PhD, the Training Unit Coordinator of the CoE (margit.katalin.szigeti@univie.ac.at).
