The 2019 cohort of ISTerns sporting their new hoodies.

photo credit: May Chan

ISTernship summer program

Outstanding bachelor’s and master’s students can join ISTA in the ISTernship program. Students who are interested in basic research in the fields of biology, computer science, data science & scientific computing, mathematics, physics, neuroscience, chemistry & materials, and interdisciplinary areas, are encouraged to apply.

The call for the ISTernship program summer 2023 is now closed. The selection results will be sent via email in the second half of March, 2023.

Please check back again in December 2023 for the 2024 ISTernship call. 

 

The ISTernship summer program

The ISTernship (“IST-” + “(int)ernship“) is a summer internship program for bachelor’s and master’s students who are looking to expand their scientific research experience. Every summer since 2013, roughly 30-40 students join the ISTernship program and work closely with our faculty or a lab member on a short research project.

As part of the application, prospective interns choose a group to work in, and successful applicants agree on a research project with the group leader.

Upon arrival, ISTerns receive an introduction to research at ISTA as well as an introduction to the ISTA Graduate School. The program culminates with a research symposium, where ISTerns present their work to peers, faculty and lab mentors.

Internships are full-time and will be conducted exclusively in English.

For more information and frequently asked questions, see the ISTernship FAQ.

Eligibility

Candidates must be enrolled Bachelor- or Master of Science students (or similar) in good standing at a degree-granting institution. They must have completed at least the fourth semester of their bachelor’s studies before the respective start date. Students accepted to or enrolled in a PhD program are not eligible to apply.

Duration

2-3 months between May 15 and September 15. Exact dates and length are decided together with the supervisor.

Application

The call for the ISTernship program summer 2023 is now closed. 

Click here to be taken to the application page.

For more detailed information about the application, see the ISTernship FAQ.

Application materials

We ask you to upload the following documents to the application portal:

  • CV
  • Statement of purpose
  • University transcripts and diplomas of all degree programs and all years you have attended and/or are currently enrolled in (we recommend to submit these in the original language as well as in English)
  • Contact information of 1 or 2 referees
ISTernship Program Information

Successful applicants receive assistance with travel and visa arrangements.

Each successful candidate receives compensation to assist with the cost of living in Austria and travel to and from Austria.

Financial Support

ISTerns receive a monthly compensation. The ISTernship program is developed in cooperation with the OeAD, the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research.

The OeAD handles the scholarship payments for a period of up to 3 months between May 15 and September 15.

Successful applicants receive assistance with travel and visa arrangements.

Health Insurance

Austria has a statutory social security system; this means that you will have access to health insurance as soon as you start your ISTernship program at ISTA.

More about Health.

Housing

ISTerns can choose between accommodation on campus – based on space and availability – in the ISTA-owned and -operated apartments, or accommodation in the OeAD-operated student residences in Vienna.

This is a great way to connect with the student community outside of labs and classrooms.

More about Housing at ISTA.

ISTernship Community

There are a number of events either specifically organized for ISTerns or open to ISTerns aimed at making their time at ISTA as valuable as possible.

  • Presentations providing short overviews of the research conducted in groups at ISTA given by the relevant professors or their Postdocs (July & August).
  • Invitation to annual ISTA events over summer.
  • Annual poster session in which ISTerns prepare a poster detailing their research project at ISTA (August).

Benefits of the ISTernship summer program
  • Monthly compensation
  • Access to affordable health insurance
  • Allowance for travel costs
  • Housing on campus (subject to availability) or in the OeAD residences in Vienna
  • Free access to the ISTA shuttle bus with hourly service to Vienna

In cooperation with

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us: istintern@ist.ac.at.

It is also possible to do a scientific internship (year-round) at ISTA. See this page to find out more.

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