General information

The closing date for applications in Computer Science (November 28, 2024) has passed.
The closing date for applications in Chemistry, Data Science, Earth Science, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Experimental Soft Matter Physics (October 24, 2024) has passed. We will no longer accept applications after the deadline.

For enquiries, please visit FAQ: https://ista.ac.at/en/faculty-faq/.

For questions that are not covered in FAQ, please contact [email protected].

We will confirm receipt of your application by e-mail immediately and aim to notify you about its status at the latest six months after the submission of your application.

All applications will be thoroughly evaluated. If your application passes the first round of selection, we will contact your referees. In addition, we might send your application file (including the research statement) to external, internationally renowned experts.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview usually from January to April, and asked to provide a Community Engagement Statement of no more than 2 pages addressing the questions:
What are the pressing challenges you see for your scientific community? How have you addressed these challenges in the past and how would you like to address them in the future?
Applicants should provide a narrative statement - not simply a list of committees or activities – regarding initiatives they have been/are/would like to be involved in. Topics may include: leadership, building a positive research culture, diversity & inclusion, research ethics & integrity, open access, sustainability, science education, outreach, contributions to policy, tech transfer etc. Applicants should explain why they chose these topics, their efforts in making a positive contribution, and their outcomes. This statement will be a basis for discussion as part of the interview.

Data protection information

ISTA processes your personal data in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations.

For more information including your rights as a data subject please refer to our data privacy statement: https://ista.ac.at/data-protection/

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

At ISTA, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values that we see as essential for creating and disseminating new knowledge and for taking science into new directions. ISTA strives for a diverse community with an open, inclusive culture where scientists and staff of all expertises and backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, and physical disabilities, can work and learn together.

For more information, including our Gender Equality Plan, please refer to: https://ista.ac.at/en/institute/#diversity-inclusion

Application information

When applying, you will have to create an online account with us. You do not need to complete the process in one sitting; you can return to your account and save your application as often as you like, up until you are ready to submit. However, once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make changes!

Step 1: Create an account

Register online by entering your e-mail and password (6 to 10 characters). You will receive an e-mail with a link to finalize the registration of your user account immediately.

Confirm your registration by clicking on that link.

Once you have validated your registration, you may log in by entering your e-mail and password and clicking the “Login” button.

If you should forget your password, click the “Password forgotten” link on the log-in page. Enter your e-mail address. You will be sent an e-mail with a confirmation link. After clicking that link, you will be asked to enter your new password twice. Until you have completed this process, your original password will still be valid.

In order to reset your password using this function, you must have already confirmed your registration via the registration confirmation e-mail you have received.

Step 2: The application

There are six parts to your application. Make sure that you press “Save” each time before moving on to a different section! Otherwise, your data will be lost.

Personal data

Personal information provided by applicants is not part of the selection process. We use your personal data for statistical purposes.

Application data

Please choose the position you are applying for (only one possible). There are two types of independent research positions at ISTA:

Professor – Professors have indefinite contracts are distinguished scientists in their respective research fields and typically have at least six years of experience in leading a research group.

Assistant Professor – Assistant professors are independent group leaders with an initial contract of six years, at the end of which they are reviewed by international peers. If the evaluation is positive, an assistant professor is promoted to a tenured professor.

Choose one or more disciplines that represent your research interest.

Please enter key words - separated by commas - which best describe your research interests. If you use model organisms, please include those. (max. 200 characters)

Please use the comment field to inform us of any further information you deem to be important.

Degrees

Please enter your PhD and/or MD degree information here. Do NOT enter Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Significant positions

Please enter every position you deem significant for us to know.

Attachments

Enter as text or upload PDF versions of your Cover Letter. Please choose one or the other.

You can choose either to upload your Curriculum Vitae and your Publication List separately or to include your publications in your CV. In either case, please clearly mark your most important publications (*Assistant Professors: clearly mark your top 3-5 publications; Professors: clearly mark your top 10 publications). Please do not use colors for emphasis, but rather symbols such as an asterisk.

The Research Statement should include a description of your most important scientific achievements (max. 2 pages) and planned future research activities (max. 4 pages). If applicable, please add at the end of the research statement a paragraph (max 1/2 page) on your potential interactions or collaborations with current ISTA research groups. Please note that this document will be part of the information sent to the referees and, if applicable, external international experts who are asked to keep the information confidential. Please note, to ensure the independence of these experts, their identity and their assessments are treated confidentially and will not be disclosed to you.

Documents (Curriculum Vitae, Publication List and Research Statement) must be uploaded in PDF format. Please make sure that your PDF documents do not contain any encryption or password protection, “Document Assembly” is allowed and its size is not larger than 10MB.

Referees

Enter the pertinent information for your three or four referees. Should your application pass the initial stages of selection, we might ask your referees to send a reference letter.

They will receive an e-mail directly from us with the subject “Request for reference letter for your name - ISTA” with a link to an online platform. This e-mail will include your entire application file.

We suggest that you notify your referees that they might receive an e-mail request from ISTA so it is not filtered as junk e-mail.

At the bottom of the page, you can let us know of as many people whom you do NOT wish we contact regarding your application at ISTA.

Step 3: Ensure that your application is complete and correct!

Step 4: Submit your application

When you have finalized your application, click the "Submit" button. Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make changes!

You will receive an e-mail from us, informing you that your application has formally been accepted.

If there is an urgent matter regarding your application submission, please contact our administrator at [email protected].