The 2013 CEMM PhD Program

For our next PhD Program starting in October 2013, we are looking for exceptionally motivated PhD candidates with a keen interest in genomics and medicine and a strong interest to work in teams.

You will get the chance to work at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary molecular medicine research and to be trained by the entire CeMM and associated faculty to become one of the scientists shaping the future of molecular medicine.

The CeMM PhD program is a unique blend of practical training, lectures and mentoring that builds on the guidelines for PhD programs of CeMM’s home academic institution, the Medical University of Vienna.
There is mandatory course work in the first year taking 6-7 hours per week, including basic seminars and propedeutics in molecular medicine, cell biology, and ethics, dissertation seminars and regular journal clubs. Informal CeMM work discussions are held every Friday and students will present their work on a regular basis.

According to a study by “The Scientist”, CeMM is ranked as the best European place to work in Academia 2012, internationally CeMM appears at the fourth place, see: http://the-scientist.com/2012/08/01/best-places-to-work-academia-2012.

Requirements to enrol into the PhD Program:
Final degree in the diploma studies of medicine, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics or in any scientific/ technical, subject-relevant diploma studies. Certificate needed before Oct 2013. The working language at CeMM is English, so excellent written and oral communication skills are required.

Available Projects (for brief project description, please click on the project title):


Application Details:

  • Candidates should provide a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae, names and contact details of two suggested referees. Save your application documents as one PDF file. Indicate the reference code of your preferred project(s)/supervisor(s) [up to 3] in the subject line, and send your application to PhD2013(at)cemm.at
  • Ask two referees to fill out and to send a special reference form directly to Reference_PhD2013(at)cemm.at Download: Candidate Evaluation Form for Referees (Word File)


  • Deadline for Applications & Reference Letters:
    April 15, 2013, midnight (Vienna time)

    The successful candidates will be paid according to the standards of the FWF - Austrian Science Fund (see:
    http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze.html “DoktorandIn”), and will be fully insured by the WGKK (accident, health, pension).

    * Part of the CeMM Faculty is also involved in the CCHD Program of the Medical University (Doctoral Program: Cell Communication in Health and Disease). If you are interested in the Binder, Boztug, Knapp or Superti-Furga Laboratory, we recommend that you also apply at the CCHD Program: http://www.meduniwien.ac.at/phd-cchd/application/; Please do not forget to mention your preferred supervisor(s) in your application.

    Structure of the CeMM PhD Program:
    The CeMM PhD program is a unique blend of practical training, lectures and mentoring that builds on the guidelines for PhD programs of CeMM’s home academic institution, the Medical University of Vienna. There is mandatory course work in the first year taking 6-7 hours per week, including basic seminars and propedeutics in molecular medicine, cell biology, and ethics, dissertation seminars and regular journal clubs. Informal CeMM work discussions are held every Friday and students will present their work on a regular basis.

    1st Year
    Lab rotations: 6 weeks in up to 3 labs at CeMM, getting to know the people and the science.
    Kick-off lectures: given by a selection of prominent leaders, scientists and medical professors from the Viennese science and medical community and biotech industry.
    Research proposal: on a topic that is not directly related to the students’ own research, but involves the research of at least 2 CeMM groups. The best proposal is awarded a prize.

    2nd Year
    Thesis proposal: in accordance with the Medical University of Vienna guidelines.
    Symposium: The CeMM PhD students will be encouraged to invite speakers of their choice, and host the talks and mediate discussion.

    3rd Year
    Thesis defense: is required to yield at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

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