CoBeNe pooled calls

CoBeNe pooled calls

With this topically open call the Vienna Doctoral School in Cognition, Behavior and Neuroscience (VDS CoBeNe) at the University of Vienna is looking for highly motivated PhD candidates with innovative ideas. The VDS CoBeNe doctoral fellows will perform cutting-edge research with options to bridge fields and use an interdisciplinary approach. Our PhD program is tailored to individual career tracks and includes continuous mentoring schemes, multiple opportunities for national and international scientific networking, and transferable skills training for enhancing careers inside and outside academia.

VDS CoBeNe uni:docs PhD call 2025

The VDS CoBeNe offers 2 University Assistant (pre doc) positions for 3 years under the team supervision of two CoBeNe principle investigators of any of our research fields. Any PI of the CoBeNe faculty could become your supervisor! The second supervisor can be added to the PhD project after the selection process. The uniting theme is the interdisciplinary interest in human and non-human behavior, understanding its underlying cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, physiological, or neurobiological bases, studying how the brain maintains or changes functionality over time, probing its evolutionary origins and development. We look for highly motivated candidates with innovative ideas fitting our research and expertise.

Eligibility

  • master’s degree or equivalent in one of the respective study fields, the degree certificate must be available before being accepted into the doctoral program (latest June 2026)

  • not enrolled in the doctoral study program
  • have not previously applied in the uni:docs call
  • project must be supervised by 2 CoBeNe PIs (2. supervisor to be selected at later stage) 

  • complete application (see requirements below)
  • high level of both spoken and written English (official certificate not required)

Timeline overview table

  • Application period: 01.09 - 15.10.2025
  • Results issued: mid/end November
  • Interview days: late Nov - beginning Dez
  • Offers sent out: end of Dez
  • Offer need to be accepted within two weeks of notification
  • Start date 2026 cohort: Summer 2026

 

 

Online Application

The application will be possible from 01.09. - 15.10.2025 via the Job Platform.
Please submit the following documents in english as a single PDF document. 

  • Motivation letter explaining why you apply to VDS CoBeNe and addressing your motivation and qualifications. Clearly indicate your desired research area. (max. 2 page).
  • Provide a prioritized list of VDS CoBeNe principal investigators (potential supervisors) (choices 1-3) that you wish to work with and details of two referees, at least one who has previously supervised you. (on additional page or included in the motivation letter).
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) indicating your educational path including timeline and academic degrees, addressing your technical proficiency, past/ongoing projects you were scientifically involved in along with your publication list and major achievement (if applicable).
  • Copies of bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates in German or in certified English translation in addition to their original language. Self-translated transcripts of your certificates will not be recognized (including credit transcripts)
  • Please add additional documents if they proof relevant skills (awards, internships/participation in research projects, programming languages, lab techniques, transferable skills etc.)

Apply here via University Job Platform: open 01.09.-15.10.25

Selection process

Based on academic performance and research experience, scientific fit and motivation to apply to the VDS CoBeNe program, our faculty will carefully evaluate the quality of your application. A first round of selection will be made based on the submitted documents. This stage of the selection process will be completed within 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.

Shortlisted candidates for the final selection will be invited to detailed interviews by an interdisciplinary jury comprised of CoBeNe PIs and external experts. Successful candidates are notified by end of December 2025 and are expected to accept their position within 2 weeks of their notification.

Selected candidates should start their doctoral projects in Vienna latest by June 2026. However, under certain circumstances, exceptions for later starting dates can be made after personal consultation. VDS CoBeNe values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

We don’t provide any individual information on your status within our application process.