VDSP - PhD Completion Contract

We offer short-term financial support to highly qualified VDSP student members in the final phase of their doctoral studies. The funding should help the VDSP students to focus on the completion and submission of their doctoral thesis.

While receiving a VDSP Compleation Grant:

• Your main task is to complete and to submit your dissertation.
• You meet and consult with your supervisor(s) on a regular basis in order to prioritize your tasks and get the necessary support to complete your dissertation successfully in time.
• You actively seek support (workshops, training, coaching etc.) if necessary.

There are two funding schemes that can be applied for depending on the previous funding situation of the applicant.

In this Call, the VDSP will offer up to 2 Completion Scholarships and 9 Completion Contracts.

Completion Contract

• For VDSP students who who have been employed by the University of Vienna as an University Assistant or Project Staff Member within six months before the start of the completion contract.
• Job grading in accordance with collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) with relevant work experience determining the assignment to a particular salary grade. / Working hours ("prae-doc" contract): 30 hours/week.
• Your existing work contract will be extended for up to three months.

Please note:

• Successful applicants are employed at the University of Vienna and are therefore subject to all associated rights and obligations.
• You contribute to the organizational and administrative tasks of the Faculty of Physics e.g. supervision of students, organization of courses and holding examinations in accordance with the assignment.
• The successive contract regulations must be followed/kept in mind. Make sure to check your individual case in consideration of your career planning. In case of questions contact HR to clarify your situation.

Applicants have to

• Fulfill the formal criteria of the funding scheme that they apply for.
• Be actively enrolled to the PhD study programme in Physics at the University of Vienna.
• Be full members of the VDSP who have followed all PhD curricular requirements as well as all regular VDSP requirements:
  • Positively completed PhD presentation “FÖP”.
  • Signed doctoral thesis agreement.
  • All required annual progress reports BSP/V02E (formlerly called DZ/V02) and VDSP reports submitted.
  • All compulsory coursework successfully completed.
  • Participated in all required VDSP mentor meetings (at least once per year).
• Commit to complete their doctoral studies within the anticipated time (duration of the comletion funding). Work on the dissertation must already be sufficiently advanced at the time of application that it can realistically be expected that the submission of the completed dissertation can take place at the latest at the end of the funding period.
• Have excellent study records.
• Provide evidence of relevant academic achievements (e.g. conference presentations, publications).

The following information need to be submitted as one single pdf-file via the application form:

• Transcript of your study records (Bachelor, Master & PhD)
• Curriculum vitae including full list of publications and conference contributions
• Timeline for the completion of your doctorate
• Table of contents of your written thesis
• Short description of the structure of the thesis (3-5 pages)
• Statement with key information (no length requirement – you have to convince the Selection Committee that you are able to complete your written thesis within the anticipated timeframe):
  • Duration of previous/current PhD contract(s) at the University of Vienna and type of contract(s) e.g. prae-doc or project staff
  • Teaching duties
  • Why the original time plan needs to be extended (e.g. personal circumstances, care duties, problems with lab equipment, COVID-related issues, etc.)

The VDSP office will forward your application to your supervisor(s) and ask for a declaration of support. This information will not be shared with the applicants.

The VDSP selection committee will review all applications that fulfill the formal criteria. Applicants will be selected on the basis of their eligibility, the documents submitted by the applicants, the statement of the supervisor(s) and subject to the availability of funds.

The main criteria for funding are:

• The current state of the doctoral thesis project and the timeline for completion: Has the applicant convincingly made clear that the thesis can be completed in the anticipated time frame?
• Statement by the supervisor(s): Does the supervisory team fully support the application and fully support the PhD student in the final phase of the writing process?
• Study record and academic CV: Has the candidate continuously made progress during their doctoral studies and made first academic achievements, such as conference presentations or publications?
• Breaks or delays: Are there any breaks or delays (such as parental leave, long-term illness, caring responsibilities) to be taken into account?

All applicants will be informed about the decision of the VDSP selection committee in due course.