VDS CoBeNe Doctoral Program

The VDS CoBeNe Doctoral Program emerged from an integrative and interdisciplinary alliance of four independent research areas in Psychological Science, Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, Neuroscience and the Cognitive Humanities. The research questions deal with the influence of social and ecological factors on human and non-human cognition and behavior, understanding its underlying cognitive, emotional, physiological, and neurological bases, and probing their evolutionary origins and development.

The four main research areas offer highly motivated doctoral candidates, both national and international, the opportunity to receive independent training through research, supervised by research group leaders who are committed to excellence in research as well as to fostering the individual development of junior scientists.

The PhD program

VDS CoBeNe PhD fellows are assigned to their research area by the chosen curricula in either Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Humanities, or related disciplines. Nevertheless the qualification profile, the requirements for admission, the structure of the doctorate, evaluations for quality assurance, and finally the completion and defense of the doctoral thesis will be consistent, and aligned with the VDS CoBeNe Director of Doctoral Studies Program to comply with international standards of the discipline(s) involved.

Quality Assurance Measures

Defining and assessing the quality of doctoral programs, using both qualitative and quantitative measures, is critical for attracting the best and brightest students and faculty and thus for ensuring success in achieving the mission of UniVie's doctoral schools. 

  • Standardized PhD recruitment and assessment
  • Transparent monitoring of PhD project progress
  • Joint Supervision through a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) 
  • Interdisciplinary research options
  • Financial opportunities through cross-disciplinary seed grants
  • Distinct guidelines

Code of Good Practice for Doctoral Schools

The Code of Good Practice provides guidelines for good practice that are binding for all doctoral schools at the University of Vienna and needs to be signed by all faculty members and students. It contains information about: 

  • Responsibilities of the director of the VDS CoBeNe
  • Responsibilities of the supervisors
  • Responsibilities of the doctoral candidates

For joining the VDS CoBeNe as a UniVie group leader/supervisor, please sign the Code of Good Practice as your commitment to the VDS CoBeNe Quality Assurance Measures and the University Vienna Code of Conduct.