Here you can apply for a PhD position with your own project description. An application for the general call must include a project description (½-4 pages), where you describe your ideas and research plans for your project. You can indicate a URL to further information, if you like.
Before starting the application process, it is strongly recommended that you contact a prospective supervisor in order to discuss a potential project. This may contribute to writing a better and more targeted application. Furthermore, it is a good idea to inquire about possible financing, since the likelihood of securing admission through the general call depends on the available resources of the supervisor and the PhD programme for which you apply.
You can find AU researchers/potential supervisors by searching on subject headings here. Furthermore, you can find more info on the various PhD programmes at GSNS on each of the programme websites.
It is not a requirement that the applicant has been in contact with a prospective supervisor before the application process begins.
Before you apply, please read the application guide thoroughly. All applications must be submitted via the application portal.
Here you apply for one of the positions on the list of specific calls below. Please note that the list is regularly updated. The list will be complete approximately two weeks before application deadline. If you can’t find a project within your field of research on the list, please have a look later or apply via the general call.
Before you apply, please read the application guide thoroughly. Please follow the application instructions in the specific call announcement.
| Project title | Programme | Keywords | Candidate background | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanomechanical orchestra for gas sensing and quantum optomechanics | Physics and Astronomy | Nanomechanical resonators, optomechanics, sensors, photonics | Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree or at least one year of a Master’s degree in Physics, Nanosciences or Engineering, experience with optics/photonics and/or nanofabrication being a plus. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Re-advertisement: Surface Science and Electrocatalysis for Sustainable CO₂ Reduction | Chemistry | Surface Science, Electrocatalysis, Synchrotron experiments, CO2 reduction, Scanning Probe Microscopy | Applicants should have a recent master’s degree (3-year PhD programme) or 4-years of studies (4-year PhD programme) in nanoscience, chemistry, physics or equivalent disciplines, and with a very good and documented exam record. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Analytic Number Theory, Automorphic Forms and Representation Theory | Mathematics | Automorphic forms; analytic number theory; representation theory | Applicants to the position must have a relevant Master’s degree. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| The Center for Basic Research in Program Verification | Computer Science | Program Verification, Logic and Semantics. | Candidates are expected to have a good background in logic and semantics. Working knowledge of the Rocq proof assistant is an advantage. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Cultivation and functional characterization of novel anaerobic hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms | Biology | Anaerobic microbiology, microbial cultivation, hydrocarbon degradation, Archaea, microbial interactions, microbial physiology, environmental microbiology, enrichment cultures | Applicants must have a relevant MSc degree in biology, biochemistry, microbiology or equivalent and have graduated before the application deadline. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Ph.D. Position in Coding Agents for Data Visualization & Analytics | Computer Science | Data visualization; coding agents; human-centered AI; mobile analytics; ubiquitous computing. | Applicants to the PhD position must have a.Master's degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or related field; strong interest in human-centered AI, data visualization, or code generation. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Constraining the temporal evolution of dust-generating deserts in northern China and South America | Geoscience | Geochronology, cosmogenic nuclides, luminescence dating, desert evolution, dust production, glacial-interglacial climate | Applicants must have a relevant master’s degree or have completed at least one year of a master’s degree program, in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, or similar. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Bioinformatics of somatic evolution in mammals: DNA damage, mutations and ageing | Molecular Biology & Genetics | Mutations, ageing, population genetics, evolution, DNA repair, recombination | Applicants for this position must hold a BSc or a Master’s degree (or equivalent level of education) in bioinformatics, computer science, data science, statistical genetics, or quantitative molecular biology. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| At the border between old and new: cement lines in bone | Chemistry | Bone, biomineralization, synchrotron, tomography, structure | Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree or at least one year of a Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, biophysics, nanoscience, biology, or related subjects. | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
| Human-AI Interaction for Generative User Interfaces (GenUI) | Computer Science | Generative Artificial Intelligence, Human-Centered AI, Human-AI Interaction, Malleable User Interfaces, Human-Computer Interaction | Candidates are required to have backgrounds in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction research, or related fields | 2026/08/01 23:59 CEST |
