Malignant Diseases (PhD Programme)
Vienna, Austria
PhD
DURATION
6 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: MedUni Vienna’s PhD Malignant Diseases trains researchers in cancer research. You’ll study tumor biology, translational and clinical oncology using in vitro and in vivo models to identify mechanisms and therapy targets. The programme examines carcinogens, cellular and exogenous/endogenous factors driving tumors and links findings to diagnostics and therapies. PhD fellows conduct research with mentorship and access to international projects, resources, technology and AI.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work in academia, clinical and translational research, biotech and pharma R&D, clinical trials and diagnostics, regulatory and medical affairs or science communication; supports careers in drug development, precision medicine, molecular oncology and entrepreneurship.
Cancer research is a multidisciplinary scientific field. Basic cancer research uses in vitro and in vivo models to identify tumour-specific regulatory mechanisms and targets for cancer therapy. It investigates the cellular mechanisms of carcinogens in order to understand the causes of cancer and analyses exogenous and endogenous factors that contribute to tumour development. The results are used to develop diagnostic procedures, new therapies and prevention strategies.
The PhD programme "Malignant Diseases" aims to encompass these areas of cancer research to provide students with a sound theoretical background in cancer research as well as excellent practical skills. The participating groups are involved in international research projects in the fields of basic tumour biology as well as translational and clinical oncology.
At MedUni Vienna, all PhD students are employed as scientific staff for the duration of their doctoral studies.
That means:
- You receive a salary
- You are fully funded during your employment
- You benefit from social security, health insurance, and pension coverage
- You will receive a refund for your job ticket (free public transportation within Vienna)
Salary & Contract Details
PhD students are usually employed 30 hours/week under the collective agreement for university staff (Level B1).
Your exact salary may vary depending on the source of third-party funding (e.g. FWF, EU-funded projects, foundations). The standard PhD salary is currently at EUR 2786 incl. tax / EUR 2043 excl. tax
Employment contracts are usually tied to the duration of your project funding. Your supervisor will inform you about your specific contract terms once a supervision agreement is in place.
Infobox section:
Application deadline: Phd Calls application periods March-April, October-November
Earliest starting date: flexible as arranged with PI
Tuition fees: Free 3 years + 2 Semester, Later: 389- 727EUR
Fully funded PhD projects advancing medical research at the intersection of science and technology now available for application (October 5th - November 22nd 2026)
The PhD program Malignant Diseases is a full-time degree program and can be completed in three years (minimum) of full-time study. PhD students have individual projects which are performed under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Through execution of the project, the PhDs gain both deep technical expertise and theoretical knowledge in cancer research.
All PhD students participating in the program undergo obligatory teaching events in propaedeutic topics such as "Ethics in Medicine and Good Scientific Practice" as well as "Intellectual Property Rights and Project Management", with together 2 ECTS points. Further obligatory teaching events comprise (i) lectures in "Basic Seminars" with together 4 ECTS points, (ii) Thesis Seminars with 18 ECTS points, and (iii) Journal Clubs with 18 ECTS points. The Basic Seminars cover a wide range of tumour biological aspects, the identification of therapeutic targets and diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers, cancer causes, risk factors and prevention strategies. Students choose Thesis Seminars and Journal Clubs based on their curiosity, existing knowledge and own research projects. Optional teaching events to the extent of 4 ECTS points include selected lectures in propaedeutics dealing with e.g. "Medical Statistics", "Experimental Studies in Animals" or "Basics in Scientific Writing and Presentation". In total, PhD students have to collect 180 ECTS points, of which 146 ECTS are from the thesis project and 34 ECTS are from courses.
The criteria for graduation are that all required credits have been completed and that the thesis project has resulted in at least one first-author publication in a highly-ranked scientific journal. The written PhD thesis is evaluated by two reviewers, i.e. one scientist from the Medical University of Vienna and one external scientist. The doctoral viva is held within the frame of a "Defensio dissertationis", which includes a public lecture followed by a scientific discussion.
PhD students are treated as professionals and sign an employment contract with the Medical University of Vienna. More than 140 PhD students have registered their theses within the thematic program Malignant Diseases (March 2025).