14 Salaried PhD Studentships in Life Sciences, Medicine & AI (m/w/d)

Medical University of Vienna; Wien; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

State-of-the-art research facilities

Vienna location

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Medical University of Vienna invites applications for fourteen fully funded PhD studentships across Life Sciences, Medicine and AI. Successful candidates will be employed by the university and receive a competitive salary with tuition waivers for up to four years.

You will design and lead independent research projects under experienced supervisors, contribute to publications, and collaborate with clinicians and industry partners in a diverse international community based in Vienna, Austria.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in AI/ML, mathematics, (bio)physics, (bio)engineering, (bio)informatics, cancer, immunology, computer science, (bio)chemistry, biology or cell/molecular biology, medicine or a related field.
• Strong motivation to pursue independent research and contribute to improving human health.
• Excellent English skills (C1 or higher) and ability to work in an international team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct original research within one of the interdisciplinary PhD programmes.
• Design, execute, and analyse experiments; interpret results.
• Collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and industry partners.
• Present findings at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Engage in seminars, workshops, and grant proposal development.

Skills

English proficiency

Independent research

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in AI/ML, physics, engineering, informatics, biology or related field

Tools

7 Tesla MRI

Job description

14 Salaried PhD Studentships in Life Sciences, Medicine & AI (m/w/d)

The Medical University of Vienna is one of Europe’s leading biomedical research and teaching institutions, with around 6,500 employees and 8,600 students. As part of our regular PhD Call, held every semester, we invite highly motivated early-career researchers to apply for several fully funded PhD positions.

As a PhD candidate, you will be employed by the university and receive a competitive salary. Tuition fees are normally waived for up to four years. You will work under the guidance of experienced supervisors while developing and leading your own research project. Our structured PhD programmes provide a clear academic framework while allowing you to tailor your work to your scientific interests.

You will join a diverse, international research community and collaborate closely with peers, clinicians, and industry partners. The programme is designed to help you grow as an independent researcher — from experimental design and data analysis to scientific communication and publication.

Available PhD Projects:

Further information about each project, including specific eligibility requirements and program details, can be looked up on our website.

AI/ML, Medical informatics and Medical Imaging

• Genetic Endotypes of ME/CFS
• ML Algorithms for Arthritis Imaging
• AI-Powered 3D Whole-Body Metabolic Imaging
• Model-Based RL for Mechanical Ventilation

Immunology

• CD8+ T Cells Rewire Systemic Metabolism
• Decoding ARDS Through Multi-Omics Integration
• Profiling CAR T-cells for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
• Engineering Regulatory T Cells for IMIDs
• Epigenetic Reprogramming of Inflammatory Diseases

Neuroscience

• Transcription regulation during neuronal differentiation

Endocrinology and Metabolism

• MC4R Signaling Regulates Human Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

Vascular Biology

• Clinical and Biological Trajectories After Thrombosis
• Skull Hematopoiesis in Cardiovascular Diseases
• Clonal Hematopoiesis and Cardiovascular Risk
• Platelet Dysfunction in Patients with Unexplained Bleeding

Your Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct original research within one of 18 interdisciplinary PhD programmes
• Design, execute, and analyse experiments; interpret results and contribute to scientific advancement
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, clinicians, and industry partners
• Present your findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Participate in conferences, seminars, workshops, and scientific meetings
• Contribute to project development and grant proposals
• Engage actively within the MedUni Vienna research community

Your profile

• Master's degree or equivalent in AI/ML, mathematics, (bio)physics, (bio)engineering, (bio)informatics, cancer, immunology, computer science, (bio)chemistry, biology or cell/molecular biology, medicine or a related field.
• Initial research experience through internships, projects, or employment
• Strong motivation to pursue independent research and contribute to improving human health
• Passion for science and interest in a career in research.
• Interest in conducting your own research and leading your own project.
• Willingness to travel abroad for conferences.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently.
• Excellent English skills (at least C1 level) - we are an international crowd and English is our working language!

What We Offer

• Employment at MedUni Vienna with a competitive salary (Uni-KV; currently EUR 2,786 gross × 14 per year/30hrs per week)
• No tuition fees for up to four years
• Interdisciplinary PhD programmes with flexible curricula
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure (e.g. 7 Tesla MRI)
• Strong links to one of Europe’s largest university hospitals
• Mentoring, training, and professional development opportunities
• International and inclusive research community
• Flexible working arrangements
• Pension scheme, employee discounts, and subsidised canteen and public transportation
• Central location with public transport access
• Research and live in Vienna, Austria

Requirements

We encourage applications from qualified candidates worldwide. Applicants must hold a relevant master’s degree for their chosen PhD project and meet MedUni Vienna’s official admission criteria. Research experience or familiarity with specific methods may vary depending on the project. Candidates should have a strong academic or research background and a genuine interest in scientific inquiry. Proficiency in English (both written and spoken) is required, as all programmes are taught in English.

Selection Process

• Document Review: The recruitment board will assess all applications. Shortlisted candidates are selected based on eligibility and qualifications.
• Online Interviews: Scheduled for December 2026. Shortlisted candidates will meet up to three principal investigators (PIs) to discuss research interests and projects.
• PhD Campus Visit: Final in-person interviews will take place in Vienna end of January, 2027. During the visit, candidates will have the opportunity to meet with our research groups, current PhD students, learn about our research and explore the university.

Application portal: https://oc10.meduniwien.ac.at/open-phd-positions

For further inquiries regarding the application process, please contact via Email: [e-mail]

At MedUni Vienna, we are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. We believe that bringing together people from different social, cultural, and professional backgrounds strengthens our research and enriches our academic community. We foster a respectful, fair, and transparent working environment where qualifications and achievements are valued. The university is committed to increasing the representation of women, particularly in academic and leadership roles, and strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Preference will be given to women with equivalent qualifications.

Information according to the General Data Protection Regulation is available on oc.meduniwien.ac.at/phd.