Marie-Skłodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Vienna

What is a MSCA-PF?

The Marie-Skłodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) is a post-doctoral research and training programme in which the post-doc (fellow) gains additional skills and abilities working on a specific research project in a new environment, while also transferring their knowledge within their new institution. Open to all fields of research, the fellowship is a well-defined, 2-year-career stage.

For official information about the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (basic details, Guidelines, etc) please see Funding & tenders (europa.eu).

Why apply for a MSCA-PF @ the University of Vienna?

The University of Vienna provides extensive support to MSCA-PF candidates with the necessary profile to become world-class researchers at the top-rated University in Austria.

Over the past three years, the University has had extremely positive results in the MSCA Fellowship calls. 17 MSCA fellowships were awarded to the University in the 2020 call, and 23 in the 2021 call, the highest number ever awarded to the University in a single call. The success rate for University of Vienna applicants in the 2021 call was almost 30%, compared to the average of 13.8%. %. And in the 2022 call, compared to the EU success rate of 17.5%, the success rate for applicants with the University of Vienna was 35.3%. Eighteen fellowships were awarded in 2022, with 7 high scoring applications remaining on the reserve list.

Expression of Interest (EoI)

The EoI has closed for the 2023 call. If you are interested in applying with the University, please see the instructions under the tab “Supervisors”.

Advantages of applying for a MSCA-PF @ the University of Vienna

  • We are the largest teaching and research institution in Austria.
  • There are 15 faculties and 5 centres devoted to both basic and applied research.
  • We offer state-of-the-art facilities, extensive research infrastructure and the oldest library in the German speaking world.
  • Post-doc salaries are based on the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff and paid 14 times per year.
  • The University offers flexible working hours (based on core hours), childcare and language learning facilities. 
  • The University currently ranks 11th among the most international universities in the world and is the top-ranked Austrian University in the 2022 World University Rankings.
  • Vienna is consistently rated as one of the best cities to live in and has topped the Mercer Quality of Life Ranking for 10 straight years.
  • The University and Research Services Department have extensive experience with MSCA Fellowships as we host the highest number of Fellows in Austria. Successful applicants will receive support from the Research Services Department during proposal preparation including guidance documents, personalised feedback and in-depth proposal checks.
  • As a result of the three previous Programmes, 17 MSCA fellowships were awarded to the University in the 2020 call, and 23 in the 2021 call, with a record success rate of 23% in the 2021 call. In 2022, 18 fellowships were awarded, and the success rate for the University (35.3%) was about 20% higher than the EU average.
  • Extra Funding for a 3rd Year: The 10 top-ranked MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowships awarded to the University (based on the score given by the European Commission) will receive an additional third year of salary, allowing the fellow and supervisor to carry out additional research, publication, training or grant writing. As this third year is funded separately by the University, the activities should be related to, but distinct from what will be carried out during the first two years of the project.

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  • Supervisors

    The University of Vienna is subdivided into 15 faculties and five Centres. Faculties are responsible for research and teaching, while Centres fulfil specific tasks for the University or predominantly serve either as research or as teaching bodies. You can identify a potential supervisor via a Google search, our u:find page or our Current Research Information System u:cris. Please do not contact us about finding a supervisor, we cannot help with this.

    Once you have confirmation from a supervisor, please contact us and we will send you the necessary documents to start working on your proposal.

  • Eligibility & Profile

    Only experienced researchers can apply and this means that:

    • Supported fellows must be postdoctoral researchers at the date of the call deadline, i.e. in a possession of a doctoral degree, defined as a successfully defended doctoral thesis, even if the doctoral degree has yet to be awarded.
    • At the call deadline, supported researchers must have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date that the researcher was in a possession of a doctoral degree and certified by appropriate documents. Years of experience outside research and career breaks (e.g. due to parental leave*), will not be taken into account.*

    Mobility Rule

    • Between 14 September 2020 and 13 September 2023 you have not been in Austria for more than 12 months.

    If you cannot demonstrate you met the eligibility criteria, your EoI application will not be considered.

    * You can also calculate your eligibility through the "MSCA_PF: Self-assessment tool for the calculation of the 8-years research experience" available on this page. Please contact us if you have questions about your eligibility.

    You should be able to satisfy most of the following requirements:

    • A good publication track record.
    • Have presented at well-established seminars, conferences.
    • Been involved in the organisation of workshops/conferences.
    • Been a member of a review panel or editorial board.
    • Hold academic/professional memberships.
    • Won prizes or other awards for research and/or other related achievements.
    • Have demonstrable leadership, teaching and/or supervisory experience.
    • Been involved in public engagement knowledge transfer activities.
    • Hold mobility/international experience.
  • Deadlines

    Internal Deadlines

    • Internal deadline - proposal check: 01.08.2023
    • Internal deadline - submission approval: 31.08.2023
    • Full MSCA-PF application to be submitted by 13 September 2023.

    Submission Restrictions and Notices(*)

    • We are only inviting applications for European Fellowships as unfortunately we are not able to accept applications for Global Fellowships. Please note that "European" and "Global" does not refer to the nationality of the applicant but the destination country of the fellowship.

    *Deadlines are subject to change, especially if the call specific information from the European Commission is delayed.

  • Contact

    For any questions please contact us:

    Research Services and Career Development
    Berggasse 7, 2. Stock
    1090 Wien

    T: +43-1-4277-18271 or
    T: +43-1-4277-18262