Eligibility
Am I eligible for VIPS?
Are you a PostDoc? Are you a PhD student in the final stage of your studies? Have you already submitted your PhD and are waiting for it to be awarded? If you can answer one of these questions with “yes”, then you are an eligible candidate for the VIPS programme.
Is there an age limit?
No. We haven’t defined any particular age limit. Each application will be evaluated individually.
Which research fields are eligible?
VIPS is a post-doctoral programme for molecular life sciences. Nevertheless, we are looking for highly motivated post-doctoral researchers from other research fields (physics, mathematics) too, as long as they can find a linking point to our research. You will find further information on our research at www.mfpl.ac.at .
I don’t have my PhD degree yet. Can I apply for the programme?
You can apply for the programme if you expect to finish your PhD within four to six months of the application deadline.
Application
How can I apply for the VIPS program?
VIPS calls will be made twice a year .The calls will be announced on the VIPS and MFPL websites and advertised in Science and Nature and other national and international job databases. Each applicant has to fill in the online application form (only available during the application period). Only online applications will be considered for the selection process. Applications via e-mail won’t be considered.
The applicants have to nominate at least two referees. The referees have to fill in their recommendation in our online application system before the deadline.
How does the online application work?
Please use our online application system for your application. Only applications via our system will be accepted.
To complete your application you need to carry out three main steps. For a detailed description of the application process, please have a look at our “How To Apply” page.
I did not get a confirmation e-mail? What should I do?
Please check whether the confirmation email has accidentally been marked as spam. If not, please contact the VIPS office (vips@mfpl.ac.at).
I am able to edit my application?
Yes. You can edit your application until the deadline. Check whether you’ve filled in all the required information as only complete applications will be considered for the selection process.
Which additional documents do I have to send to the VIPS office?
You don’t have to send any additional documents to the VIPS office.
Reference letters send via email or post etc. won’t be accepted.
What about reference letters?
We ask you to nominate at least two referees. You have to name the referees on the application form. The referees have to submit their comments via our online system. Please use the “Your Referees” tab in your application panel to invite them to submit their comments. The referees will get an email to the address you’ve indicated, with the link to the corresponding online form. You can also check the status of your reference letters there.
IMPORTANT: It’s your responsibility to invite the referees to submit their comments. The VIPS office won’t ask them to do so.
How do I know if the reference letters have arrived?
You can check the status of your references in your application panel. The colour code will show you the relevant information.
Do I have to contact my preferred research groups beforehand?
No. You don’t have to get in contact with any MFPL group leaders beforehand but you are welcome to do so if you wish.
When does the next call for VIPS start?
The next call for VIPS will start on 3 January 2012. The online submission will remain open until 29 February 2012 23:59 CET. Please submit your application before 23:59 (11:59 pm) of the last possible day of application, as your application can’t be submitted afterwards.
Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. Please make allowances for technical problems! After the application deadline has passed we are not able to open the online application system again.
Selection
How long does it take to find out whether I am shortlisted or not?
The invitation e-mails for the interviews in May will be sent out in middle of March 2012.
When will the selection interviews take place?
The selection interviews for the upcoming selection will most probably take place from 1 May 2012 to 4 May 2012.
Where does the selection interview take place?
The selection interviews will take place in Vienna at the Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Dr. Bohr gasse 9, 1030 Vienna.
What do we have to organize for the selection process in Vienna?
The VIPS program will refund your flights and accommodation.
You have to book the flight on your own — make sure it is the cheapest you can get. The accommodation will be organized by the VIPS office. Keep all tickets, boarding passes and receipts, otherwise we will not be able to refund the money. Only tickets directly to Vienna or Bratislava will be refunded. If you have to change your flights please contact the VIPS office in advance to find out whether it will be possible to refund these costs.If you arrive by train, only tickets for second or economy class can be reimbursed.
When can the results be expected?
The results can be expected one day after the last interview. All applicants will be informed immediately after the decision had been made.