CeMM PhD Programme
Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Area of Study / Research: Human Medicine, Health Sciences Medical Biotechnology Interdisciplinary Human Medicine and Health Sciences
Type of Grant: Grants for full degree programmes in the host country
Target Group: PhD students
Funding Organisation: CeMM – Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Programme Duration: 4 years
Number of Positions: 15–20 fully funded PhD positions
Application Deadline: 30 January 2026
Grant Benefits
Successful candidates will receive a generous full scholarship covering the entire duration of the PhD programme (4 years), including:
- full salary
- all research-related costs
- university tuition and fees
- work-related travel expenses
- full health insurance
The minimum gross monthly salary is EUR 2,779.60, paid 14 times per year, in accordance with the recommendations of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
Additional benefits include:
- full insurance coverage (health, accident, retirement);
- access to healthcare services;
- subsidized cafeteria;
- a wide range of social, cultural, and sports activities.
Programme Overview
The CeMM PhD Programme focuses on cutting-edge research in the thematic areas of:
- infection
- immunity
- metabolism
- cancer
- rare diseases
- network medicine
- design chemistry
- patient-derived organoids
- bioengineering
- ageing research
These research areas are built on the core pillars of:
- genomics and proteomics;
- molecular and cell biology;
- epigenetics and genome integrity;
- bioinformatics and machine learning;
- systems biology;
- chemical biology and organic chemical synthesis;
- high-throughput genetics;
- high-content automated imaging.
The strategic focus of the programme reflects the strong synergies between immunology, infection, and cancer, both at the pathophysiological and technological levels, and builds on the longstanding expertise of CeMM and the Medical University of Vienna.
CeMM PhD students work at the forefront of interdisciplinary molecular medicine, receiving training from the entire CeMM faculty and associated institutions, preparing them to become scientists shaping the future of molecular medicine.
Joint PhD Call with AITHYRA
CeMM and AITHYRA – the Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence – are launching a joint international call for PhD students.
The next PhD programme, organized together with the Medical University of Vienna, CCRI St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, TU Wien, University of Vienna, and AITHYRA, will start in September 2026.
The programme aims to address real-world challenges in interdisciplinary computational, biomedical, clinical, and health research environments.
What We Offer
- a highly interactive introductory programme in a supportive peer-group environment;
- supervision by leading scientists and mentorship by CeMM or AITHYRA faculty;
- a PhD degree awarded by:
- o the Medical University of Vienna,
- o the Technical University of Vienna, or
- o the University of Vienna;
- a dynamic, international, and multidisciplinary research environment;
- full access to state-of-the-art technologies;
- comprehensive financial support for 4 years.
Who Should Apply?
You are encouraged to apply if you are:
- an exceptionally motivated early-career researcher;
- interested in interdisciplinary teamwork and science advancing precise, personalized, predictive, and preventive medicine;
- experienced in research and scientific presentations;
- committed to research integrity;
- excellent in written and spoken English.
Applicants must hold, or obtain by September 2026, a final degree in:
- medicine,
- biology,
- chemistry,
- bioinformatics,
- computer science,
- engineering,
- physics,
- mathematics, or a closely related field.
The minimum qualification required is a four-year Bachelor’s degree with honours.
Programme Structure
The CeMM PhD Programme is designed to empower students to successfully design, execute, manage, and communicate research projects in modern molecular medicine.
The programme follows three core modes:
- Collect – scientific excellence in data generation and validation;
- Connect – interdisciplinary integration and systems thinking;
- Contribute – responsible scientific citizenship and societal engagement.
Host Institutes
CeMM and AITHYRA are sister institutes united by a shared commitment to:
- scientific excellence,
- international standards,
- interdisciplinary collaboration,
- mentoring and advanced training.
Their unique mode of cooperation connects biology with medicine, experimentation with computation, discovery with translation, and science with society and the arts.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the online system: https://apply.cemm.at/
The selection process includes:
- Online application submission;
- Review by CeMM and AITHYRA faculty;
- Online panel interviews;
- In-person match-making event in Vienna (March), including presentations and one-on-one interviews. Travel, accommodation, and visa assistance will be provided.
PhD offers are typically made within three days after the final interviews.
Further Information
CeMM website: https://cemm.at/