Researchers looking to advance their careers in a highly collaborative scientific environment should consider the Vienna BioCenter Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Program (VIP3) in Austria. This prestigious fellowship is designed for early-career scientists who want to conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research alongside leading experts. The program provides a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects while building a strong international research network.
The VIP³ program is hosted at the Vienna BioCenter (VBC), one of Europe’s leading life science hubs. It offers three-year postdoctoral fellowships to outstanding researchers from diverse academic backgrounds, including life sciences, chemistry, physics, medicine, engineering, computer science, and bioinformatics. Fellows collaborate with multiple research groups, allowing them to explore complex scientific questions from different perspectives.
A distinctive feature of the program is its three-mentor system. Each fellow carries out a joint project between two research groups at the Vienna BioCenter under the supervision of two host group leaders. In addition, fellows select a third external mentor from the VBC network, such as alumni, collaborators, or international partners. This mentoring structure helps researchers gain interdisciplinary insights and build connections that can support their transition to an independent scientific career.
Program Overview
| Region of Studies | Austria |
| Organization | Vienna BioCenter |
| Degree Level | Postdoc |
| Type | Fully funded |
| Eligibility | International students |
| Deadline | 31 May 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply for the Vienna BioCenter Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Program,
- Candidates must hold a PhD degree by the application deadline in a field relevant to the research conducted at the Vienna BioCenter.
- The proposed research project must be interdisciplinary, combining the expertise of two VBC research groups participating in the current call.
- Applicants must have at least one (co-)first author original research publication or a preprint available on a public server.
- Candidates must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule, meaning they must not have lived or worked in Austria for more than 12 months in the last three years before the application deadline.
- The program is open to talented early-career researchers from around the world.
Fellowship Benefits
Three-year postdoctoral fellowship at a leading international research campus
- All VIP3 fellows will be hired under full-time employment contracts (40h) by one of the host institutions, following that institution’s salary scheme, Which is €88,810 per year.
- Full health insurance.
- All the required research costs will be financed by the host groups / institutes.
- Full health insurance plan can be extended to children and unemployed partners.
- Opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research between multiple scientific groups.
- Three-mentor support system providing guidance, infrastructure, and career development
- Access to the extensive Vienna BioCenter research network
- Collaboration opportunities with international scientists and institutions
- A strong foundation for developing independent research projects and future academic careers.
Participating Institutions at the Vienna BioCenter
The VIP³ program brings together researchers from several leading institutions located on the Vienna BioCenter campus, including,
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI)
- Max Perutz Labs
- Faculty of Life Sciences (University of Vienna)
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (University of Vienna)
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the VIP³ program is 31 May 2026. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their research proposals and required documents well in advance to ensure a complete submission.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit their application via email. All required documents should be sent to the official program email address: vip-3[at]vbc.ac.at.
A complete application should include the following materials,
- Personal Information – name, contact details, and current place of education or employment.
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages) including education, transcripts, degree certificates, and scientific training.
- Five keywords describing the research proposal.
- Description of major past achievements and impact (maximum half page).
- Statement of research motivation and interests (maximum half page).
- Abstract of the research proposal (maximum half page).
- Detailed research proposal bridging at least two participating research groups (maximum three pages including references).
- Statement on broader impact explaining how the research may benefit society (maximum half page).
- Contact details of two referees who can provide recommendations.
- List of reviewers to be excluded (if applicable).
