Fully Funded PhD Positions: AITHYRA International PhD Call 2026, Vienna, Austria

Summary

AITHYRA, the Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), is inviting applications worldwide for its fully funded 4-year International PhD Program. The program provides a collaborative, AI-native environment where machine learning, computational automation, and wet-lab experimental biology converge to advance discovery in medicine and molecular therapeutics.

Fully Funded PhD Positions: AITHYRA International PhD Call 2026

Designation

• PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher (Fully Funded, 4-Year Employment Contract)

Overview Table

Research Area

Interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational science, and biomedical wet-lab sciences:

• Machine Learning & AI: Representation learning, generative AI, geometric deep learning, and biomedical foundation models.
• Experimental & Wet-Lab Biology: High-throughput genetics, proteomics, molecular biology, cell biology, and chemical biology.
• Automation & Robotics: Automated laboratories and robotic platforms embedded with AI-driven co-pilots.
• Disease & Health Focus: Cancer, immunological disorders, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Location

• City: Vienna, Austria
• Address: Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2, Stg. 2, A-1030 Vienna

Eligibility / Qualification

• Academic Degree: Hold (or expect to obtain by September 2027) a Master’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to 240 ECTS with first-class / upper second-class honours) in:
  • Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering; OR
  • Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Bioengineering, or related life science disciplines.
• Research Experience: A minimum of greater than 6 months of full-time research experience (or supervised research projects of at least 8 weeks each).
• Skill Synergy: A background in biology is not required for AI/computational candidates, and advanced programming is not required for life scientists—motivation to collaborate across both disciplines is essential.
• Language Proficiency: Excellent command of written and spoken English (official test certificate like TOEFL/IELTS is not mandatory).

Scholarship Description & Benefits

• Full Employment Contract: 4-year paid position under Austrian social security legislation.
• Compensation: Gross monthly salary of €2,832.10 paid 14 times per year (in accordance with Austrian Science Fund – FWF guidelines).
• Social Benefits: Full comprehensive coverage including health, accident, and public retirement/pension insurance.
• Additional Perks: Health-care services, subsidized lunch vouchers, research allowance, and complete coverage of project-related travel.
• Onsite Visit Support: Shortlisted applicants invited to the in-person selection event in Vienna will receive full travel and accommodation funding, plus visa support.

How to Apply

[Create u:account] ➔ [Complete Application Form] ➔ [Register 2 Referees] ➔ [Referees Submit Letters] ➔ [Submit before Nov 1]

1. Create an Account: Set up a u:account via the University of Vienna portal: u:account Registration.
2. Access the Portal: Log in to the AITHYRA PhD Application Portal and fill out the structured form in English.
3. Upload & Specify Details:
   • Degree certificates and academic transcripts.
   • Documentation of research experience, publications (up to 5), and extra-curricular scientific training.
   • Research motivation and personal statement indicating your preferred AITHYRA research groups.
4. Mandatory References: Enter details and institutional email addresses for two academic referees.
   • Important: The portal does not email referees automatically. You must personally send your referees the portal link ([http://phd.careers.univie.ac.at/auth/external-reviewer/anmelden](http://phd.careers.univie.ac.at/auth/external-reviewer/anmelden)) along with their registered institutional email.
   • Both references must be submitted in the system before the main deadline for your application to be processed.
5. Inquiries: Contact phd@aithyra.at (do not contact Principal Investigators directly).

Last Date for Apply

• Application & Referee Deadline: November 1, 2026
• Panel Interviews (Online): November 30 – December 1, 2026
• Onsite Recruitment Days (Vienna): January 27 – 29, 2027

Link