Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 – University of Vienna | Fully Funded Doctoral Positions in Social Sciences, Humanities & Cultural Studies for International Applicants

The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 at the University of Vienna is a major fully funded doctoral opportunity offering at least 40 doctoral positions in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Cultural Studies.

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Introduction and Background: Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 at the University of Vienna

The University of Vienna invites applications for its Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026, targeting outstanding early-career researchers who wish to pursue a doctorate in the social sciences, humanities, and cultural studies. Through this Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026, the university aims to attract international talent committed to innovative, high-quality research.

As one of Europe’s leading research universities, the University of Vienna offers doctoral candidates access to first-class supervision, vibrant interdisciplinary research networks, and extensive opportunities for international collaboration, publication, and academic growth. The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 allows applicants to join structured doctoral programmes across multiple faculties and doctoral schools, ensuring strong academic support and research alignment.

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Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for the Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026?

The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 has clear and specific eligibility requirements that applicants must meet.

Target group:

• Ambitious candidates with a strong academic track record

• Applicants with a compelling doctoral project idea

• Candidates seeking to pursue a doctorate within one of the participating doctoral schools at the University of Vienna

Educational requirements:

• Applicants must have completed, or will complete by 30 June 2026, a subject-related diploma or master’s degree

• Applicants must meet the doctoral admission requirements of the University of Vienna by the start of employment

Enrollment conditions:

• Applicants already enrolled in a doctoral programme at the University of Vienna must not have been admitted before the winter semester 2025/2026

Supervision requirements:

• No confirmation of supervision is required at the time of application

• Applicants are strongly advised not to contact supervisors prior to applying

• Supervisor matching and confirmation take place exclusively during the selection process

Language requirements:

• All doctoral schools accept applications in English

• Some doctoral schools also accept applications in German

• Applicants must check the individual doctoral school pages for accepted application languages

Geographic eligibility:

• Applications are open internationally

• Candidates from all countries are welcome to apply

Applicants are encouraged to consult the official FAQs for a full list of eligibility requirements before submitting their application.

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Program Details: Structure, Duration, and Funding

The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 offers structured, fully funded doctoral positions with clearly defined employment conditions.

Number of positions:

• At least 40 fully funded predoctoral positions

Duration:

• 4 years

Employment conditions:

• 30 hours per week

• Positions are offered under the collective bargaining agreement (§48 VwGr. B1)

Funding:

• Fully funded doctoral employment

• No tuition or participation fees are mentioned

Start of employment:

• 1 October 2026

• Early start from July 2026 is possible

Application mode:

• Central online application system

• The application platform becomes available with the opening of the call

The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 provides doctoral candidates with stable employment conditions, allowing them to fully focus on their research and academic development.

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Participating Doctoral Schools

Applicants under the Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 can apply to one of several participating doctoral schools at the University of Vienna:

• Advanced Research School in Law and Jurisprudence (Ars Iuris Vienna)

• Doctoral School of Philological and Cultural Studies (PhilKult)

• Vienna Doctoral School in Cognition, Behavior, and Neuroscience (CoBeNe)

• Vienna Doctoral School in Education (DSE)

• Vienna Doctoral School of Historical and Cultural Studies (DSHCS)

• Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy (VDP)

• Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences (ViDSS)

• Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion (VDTR)

• Vienna International School in Earth and Space Sciences (VISESS)

Each doctoral school offers access to a broad pool of eligible supervisors and diverse research topics.

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How to Apply: Application Process for the Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026

Applicants are strongly encouraged to start the application process early.

Step-by-step application process:

Step 1:
Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, including degree completion by 30 June 2026 and doctoral admission requirements by the start of employment.

Step 2:
Identify the relevant doctoral school that best aligns with your research interests.

Step 3:
Choose a supervisor from the list of eligible supervisors provided. No prior contact is required. Applicants must correctly list the chosen faculty and supervisor during the application process.

Step 4:
Create a u:account, then proceed with the online application using the “Apply” link. Applicants should consult the official User Guide for detailed instructions.

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Important Dates and Deadlines

• Application period: 7 January 2026 – 2 March 2026, 14:00 CET

• Start of employment: 1 October 2026

• Possible early start: From July 2026

Late applications will not be accepted, and applicants are advised to submit their materials well before the deadline.

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Why Apply to the Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026?

The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 offers:

• Fully funded doctoral employment

• Structured doctoral training across multiple disciplines

• Access to one of Europe’s largest research environments

• International networking and publication opportunities

• High-quality supervision and academic support

This opportunity is ideal for candidates seeking rigorous doctoral training in the social sciences, humanities, and cultural studies.

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Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 as a Premier Research Opportunity

The Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 at the University of Vienna represents a significant opportunity for international researchers to pursue a fully funded doctorate in the social sciences, humanities, and cultural studies. With at least 40 funded positions, structured doctoral schools, and a strong international research environment, the Doctoral Recruitment Call 2026 provides a solid foundation for academic and professional growth.

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Application Portal – Apply Here

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