Vienna International Postdoctoral Program 2025-2026 (fully funded)

Great news for researchers! Applications are now open for the Vienna International Postdoctoral Program (VIP²) at the Vienna BioCenter (VBC). This article provides details about the fellowship benefits, eligibility, and application process.

The VIP² Fellowship 2025-2026 is a fully funded three-year postdoctoral program offering a gross annual salary of €70,040, full health insurance, and child allowance of €110–€170 per month per child. It is open to international candidates from diverse fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, engineering, computer science, and bioinformatics.

Operating under a two-mentor scheme, fellows select a primary research group and academic mentor, along with a second mentor from VBC research institutes, biotech sector, alumni network, or other partners. The program supports projects with the potential to evolve into independent research lines, encouraging interdisciplinary and inter-lab collaborations.

In addition to cutting-edge research facilities, the fellowship offers structured training, career development, mentoring from the VIP² Advisory Board, transferable skills workshops, and a secondment scheme for professional growth.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Postdoctoral

• Institution: Vienna BioCenter

• Host Country: Austria

• Fields of Study: All eligible postdoctoral research areas

• Program Duration: 3 years

• Application Deadline: June 15

Scholarship Coverage

Vienna International Postdoctoral Program provides the recipient with the following benefits:

• Salary: Each fellow receives a yearly gross salary of 70,040 EUR paid in 14 installments (12 months  plus one Christmas and one-holiday bonus, according to Austrian law)

• full health insurance

• Social security includes fully paid maternity leave (16 weeks), the possibility of paid parental leave (up to 24 months), pension contribution, and accident insurance.

• Families receive additional support for each child (“Familienbeihilfe”) that ranges from 110 – 170 EUR per month per child, depending on the age of the child.

• Tax deductions apply to single-income families.

• Mechanisms are in place to contribute to the relocation costs of the fellows.

For more information from Here 

Eligibility Criteria for Vienna International Postdoctoral Program

To qualify for Vienna International Postdoctoral Program, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

• Required Language: English.

• Eligible Countries: All world countries

• Applicants must hold a PhD in life sciences or related disciplines such as physics, engineering, chemistry, computer science, or mathematics.

• The proposed scientific project must match the research carried out on campus (applicants should name one or more potential host groups).

• Interdisciplinary and inter-lab projects are highly encouraged.

• Candidates are kindly requested to communicate with their preferred mentor(s) prior to and during composing their individual research projects.

• Applicants must have at least one first-author publication or manuscript published on bioRxiv or arXiv.

• By the time of the call deadline (15 June) applicants must also undertake transnational mobility according to the Marie Curie Action.  That is, they should not have resided in or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in Austria for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline.

For more information from Here.

How to Apply for Vienna International Postdoctoral Program?

Please follow the following application instructions to apply for Vienna International Postdoctoral Program:

1. Click here to apply and provide the following information:

   • Personal information: name, contact details, current place of education/employment

   • Main scientific area (choose one from the 7 areas at the VBC) and up to 5 keywords

   • DOI of at least one first-author publication or manuscript

   • Contact details for two referees. The system will send an automatic email to referees with instructions. At least one reference letter has to be uploaded into the system BEFORE the application can be submitted.

2. Attach the following documents:

   • CV with details of education, scientific training starting from Bachelor degree, honours, etc.

   • PDFs of transcripts and certificates of training.

   • A five-page project proposal that compliments the aims of the host lab.

   • A one-page explanation of the project written for the public, outlining the societal impact.

   • Written proof (letter or email) from the chosen group leader indicating his/her support for the application.

3. If you got accepted, you will move to the next phase which is the on site interview.

For more information about selection phase click here.

Website

To know more about Vienna International Postdoctoral Program, please visit the official website:

Official Website