Austria · Basic research · Postdoctoral employment
ISTA-Fellow Postdoctoral Programme
A guide to the completed 2026 call and preparation for any future announcement.
Applications are not currently confirmed open. General ISTA pages still contain “open” wording for the past call. The dated programme notice takes precedence for this article’s status.
Deadline and current application status
The applicant guide originally specified 8 September 2026. ISTA subsequently published an extension following technical problems on 6–7 September. Both dates are now past.
No 2027 application deadline was verified. A fellowship start in 2027 does not establish a separate 2027 call.
Programme overview
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria supports postdoctoral research in natural and computer sciences, mathematics and related areas. Fellows work within an ISTA research group.
Editorial guidance: Evaluate a prospective host through its current research questions, methods and available infrastructure. A familiar subject label alone is not enough to establish a workable project.
Eligibility in the 2026 call
- PhD/equivalent held or completed before the fellowship begins, no later than 15 June 2027; proof is required before contract issuance.
- Researchers employed at ISTA before 1 September 2026 were ineligible.
- Astrophysics groups were excluded.
These are historical call conditions. A future round may change them.
Employment and research support
| Contract | Two years, full-time |
|---|---|
| Published minimum pay | €73,500 gross annually |
| Social protection | Full social security coverage |
The programme uses English. Daycare and rental campus accommodation depend on availability. The guide also describes a basic project-cost budget and International Office visa support.
Before accepting an offer: Ask for the contract’s salary schedule, start date, relocation arrangements and any project-budget approval process. Do not infer personal allowances from general institutional facilities.
2026 application requirements for reference
The guide offered up to ten awards, with starts from 15 December 2026 to 15 June 2027 unless the award letter stated otherwise. Host agreement before submission was required.
| Item | 2026 requirement |
|---|---|
| Proposal | Four pages excluding references; sections: Project Vision, Methodology/Approach, Impact, Scientific Match |
| CV and outputs | CV maximum two pages, plus publication list |
| Achievements | One page discussing up to three contributions |
| Ethics | Completed self-assessment |
| References | Three referees; at least two letters received by the deadline |
Documents 1–3 required A4, Times New Roman/Arial, ≥11-point type, ≥single spacing and ≥2 cm margins. The guide discouraged citation metrics, h-index and journal/institutional rankings.
Applications used the online account system. The project title limit was 100 characters, the abstract 300 words and keywords up to five disciplines.
Future preparation: Keep evidence of your own contribution to research outputs. Explain methods, feasibility and the host’s role in plain language. Rebuild your submission around the next guide rather than carrying forward these limits automatically.
Other routes to postdoctoral research at ISTA
ISTA’s Postdoc Office directs candidates to contact research-group leaders about potential positions and to check current vacancies. These group-based opportunities are separate from the closed fellowship competition; availability is not guaranteed.
Programme questions: ista-fellow@ista.ac.at.
Independent preparation support
CareerAidHub’s Career Accelerator Program offers CV feedback, proposal clarity reviews and opportunity mapping. Follow the institution’s rules on outside assistance and retain responsibility for your application. Support does not guarantee selection, funding or immigration approval.
Mentoring enquiries: coaxialedu@gmail.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to the 2026 call now?
The published deadline has passed. Do not treat a remaining account-registration link as evidence of an open call.
Has a new ISTA-Fellow round been confirmed?
No later application round was verified in the sources reviewed on 5 November 2026.
Why did some sources say 8 September?
That was the original deadline. An ISTA notice subsequently extended it after application-system disruption.
Can an astronomy project use this scheme?
The 2026 eligibility rules exclude astronomy/astrophysics groups. The separate Sirius scheme has its own conditions.
Is the salary a take-home figure?
No. The published amount is gross annual pay. Request an appointment-specific net-pay explanation rather than assuming a fixed monthly amount.
Is accommodation free?
No. The programme describes accommodation available to rent, subject to availability.
Can the proposed host provide a reference letter?
The 2026 guide excludes the potential ISTA host from the applicant’s referees.
How should I use this guide for a future round?
Use it to understand the previous process. Recheck eligibility dates, documents and submission rules when a new call appears.
Official source and verification
Reviewed on 5 November 2026 against ISTA’s programme information, 2026 applicant guide, published deadline-extension notice and Postdoc Office guidance. Historical conditions are retained for reference.
