Faculty
Preparing for the Next Phase of Growth
ISTA is actively preparing for the next phase of its development, building on a decade of steady growth and expanding into a broad spectrum of research areas.
The institute has fostered a vibrant, curiosity-driven research culture that thrives on interdisciplinarity and collaboration. Looking ahead, ongoing campus expansions and long-term plans toward 2036 will further strengthen existing research areas while opening new directions.
The next call for faculty recruiting will mark the beginning of this new chapter.
Through this continued growth, ISTA remains committed to excellence and to providing an open and dynamic environment for pioneering science and discovery.
We are temporarily not accepting applications.
We encourage you to stay informed about our growth and upcoming opportunities to become part of our faculty community through our website and social media channels, where future calls and updates will be announced.
This site offers information about what it means to be a faculty member at ISTA.
On this site:
Why ISTA?
- Impactful research in a vibrant, international, and interdisciplinary research environment.
- Advanced facilities and comprehensive scientific support.
- Attractive salaries and generous resources.
- Guaranteed annual funding, including support for PhD students and postdocs.
- Graduate school with highly selective admissions.
- Professional development opportunities and employee support services.
- On-campus childcare facilities.
- Inclusive working environment.
- Proximity to Vienna, consistently ranked among the most livable cities worldwide.
Tenure-track and tenured positions
Assistant professors at ISTA are independent group leaders with an initial contract of six years, at the end of which they are reviewed by international peers. A positive evaluation leads to promotion to the tenured professor position.
Candidates for tenured professors are distinguished scientists in their respective research fields and typically have at least six years of experience in leading a research group.
There is no limit on the number of tenured “slots”: we want all of our assistant professors to become tenured, and we support them in any way we can.
„Being an assistant professor at ISTA means having the freedom and resources to explore cutting-edge challenges in my disciplines. To have the opportunity to open a new research pole in such a dynamic institute and to witness the promising development of my group is priceless.„
Lisa Bugnet, ISTA Faculty since 2023
Research culture at ISTA
ISTA recognizes the importance of academic freedom in the advancement of science. The Institute fosters an interactive, collegial, and supportive atmosphere, sharing space and resources between research groups whenever possible, and facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations. The organization tries to minimize internal hierarchies and boundaries. The main organizational research unit is the independent research group, headed by a professor or an assistant professor.
Graduate School of ISTA
One of ISTA’s core missions is to educate and guide PhD students towards becoming leading experts in their fields. Our Graduate School offers a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary PhD program designed to foster collaboration among research groups and disciplines.
Our rigorous PhD selection process ensures that we recruit top talents from all around the world. Once admitted, students become part of close-knit research groups, with each group comprising up to 15 members. This setting promotes close interactions among different groups and enables direct and personalized supervision for each PhD student.
Professors play an essential role in the success of our PhD program. Through mentoring during research rotations and teaching in our interdisciplinary core courses or specialized field-specific classes, they empower students to reach their full potential.
ISTA’s Graduate School fosters an environment that not only promotes academic excellence but also cultivates a spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and innovation.
“Science is more than a job. What drives us is a deep curiosity, a love of learning, and a passion for discovery. Nature does not give up its secrets easily.„
Mario de Bono, Dean of the Graduate School, ISTA Faculty since 2019
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
At ISTA, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values that we consider as essential in order to create and disseminate new knowledge and to take science into new directions. ISTA strives for a diverse community with an open, inclusive culture where scientists and staff of all expertise and backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, and physical abilities, can work and learn together. For more information, including our Gender Equality Plan, please visit: https://ist.ac.at/en/institute/edi/
Family Services
The balance between work and family life can be a significant challenge for employees and employers. Since its beginning, ISTA is offering a kindergarten on campus (for children from 3 months until 6 years old) and has had dedicated staff to assist employees with family-related questions. In addition, ISTA participates in the Work and Family Audit since 2014. This 3-year Audit cycle helps organizations to evaluate and implement family-friendly measures under the supervision of the Federal Minister for Women, Family, Integration and Media.
Family support includes a kindergarten on campus (for children from 3 months until 6 years old) and a Dual Career Office.
ISTA as host institution for ERC applications
ISTA can only be listed as host institution on your ERC (or other grant) application once ISTA has offered you a position as (assistant) professor.
