Doctoral candidates acquire the qualification for scientific work in a research area of the natural sciences through comprehensive and in-depth training. They are enabled to translate current scientific questions into research projects and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their subject at an international level through independent research. They also acquire the prerequisites for critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of complex ideas in the respective subject area. Graduates are qualified as junior staff for scientific research in university and non-university areas and are thus able to contribute to the development of the knowledge society within academic and professional contexts.
Visit the website of the NAWI faculty for further information on the doctoral program.
Registration and admission
Before being admitted to the doctoral program , students must register with the Examinations Office of the Faculty of Natural Sciences using the registration form.
When registering for the doctoral program, the candidate must submit the following with the application for admission
- Evidence of the admission requirements (previous studies);
- An exposé of a dissertation project stating the (provisional) topic of the dissertation;
- Indication of the intended compulsory and, if possible, elective subject;
- Proposal for the doctoral school in which the doctoral studies will be carried out;
- Proposal for a supervisor including the doctoral application signed by the supervisor and the applicant. The supervisor and the applicant agree on the supervisory relationship by signing the doctoral application form.
You have not yet found a supervisor and/or selected a topic for your dissertation? Then read our information on preparing for the doctorate here.
Admission then takes place at the study department. For this you need to online pre-registration must be completed. Students with an active UNIGRAZonline account can submit their application directly via their personal start page in UNIGRAZonline under "My applications".
The dissertation can be submitted as a monograph or cumulative.
The following doctoral schools are available at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, one of which must be proposed during the application process:
- Doctoral School of Biology
- Doctoral School of Chemistry *)
- Doctoral School of Earth Sciences *)
- Doctoral School of Mathematics and Scientific Computing *)
- Doctoral School of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry *)
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Doctoral School of Physics *)
- Doctoral School of Psychology
*) Interuniversity with TU Graz (NAWI Graz)
Everything at a glance
Hard Facts | Contacts and links | |
Academic degree Duration Language of instruction Study code Faculty Level of qualification Prerequisites | Current Curriculum
Department for international students
Information from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Natural Sciences
Student representatives of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (ÖH) |
In order to apply for admission to this doctoral programme, you have to apply for admission to one of the following doctoral schools:
Head of Doctoral School: Kristina Sefc
Head of Doctoral School: Wolfgang Kroutil
Head of Doctoral School: Christoph Hauzenberger
Head of Doctoral School: Achim Lass
Head of Doctoral School: Gundolf Haase
Head of Doctoral School: Hanna Engelke
Head of Doctoral School: Stephan Vogel