#30 Newsletter Graduate Center

Before the summer break, we have a few reminders and some updates for you. For those of you who will be writing over the summer and would like to do so in a group setting, we'll host three co-writing-sessions during the semester break. Afterwards, we’ll evaluate whether to continue this format in the winter semester. This will depend on your feedback and participation, just as it does for all other programs offered by the Graduate Center. We wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing summer break!

☞ Reminder: PhD-Co-Writing-Session

The Graduate Center listened carefully to the outcomes of this year's Klausur der Wissenschaften (KdW) and, together with the moderators of the PhD group, Vera Djemelinskaia and Abby Wagner, initiated the much needed monthly co-writing space, happening always on a Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We successfully started this pilot in May, and will continue this week in a group study room in the library. Seats are limited and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so it would help us immensely if you could please indicate with a quick email to graduiertenzentrum@mdw.ac.at which dates you would like to attend.

Friday, May 8, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday, June 5, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday, July 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday, July 31, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday, September 04, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

If there is interest, we can also consider a hybrid format and enable participants to join online.
 

☞ Reminder: Call for Contributions mdw PhD Meet and Greet 

For the first time this year, the Graduate Center invites more advanced PhD candidates to present their doctoral projects to a broader yet internal mdw audience within the annual welcome event for new doctoral students.
The aim is to give new doctoral candidates an impression of the variety of ongoing projects, to provide opportunities to meet fellow PhD candidates, and to offer more advanced candidates greater visibility and the chance to present their research.
While the morning session will be reserved for new doctoral candidates, the afternoon presentations will be open to a wider audience. The event will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Spiel I Macht I Raum.
Proposals for submissions should briefly describe the PhD project and the focus of the presentation. We are also happy to hear about challenges or learnings during your PhD journey. The presentations should be ca. 10 minutes long.
There is also the possibility to receive ECTS credits in the area for extracurricular achievements within the PhD programme by giving a presentation.
We look forward to your submissions via graduiertenzentrum@mdw.ac.at

Deadline: June 30, 2026

☞ We are looking for Doc-Buddies!

The mdw's Doc-Buddy-Programme is designed to help new doctoral students settle in at the mdw and to welcome them during the first weeks at their new university. Consisting of experienced and new doctoral students, the Doc-Buddy group provides orientation and guidance at the mdw, as well as valuable networking opportunities in the first semester.
If you are interested in becoming a Doc-Buddy for the new PhD-Students, please let us know by 31 August by emailing graduiertenzentrum@mdw.ac.at.

☞ Info-Session LBG Career Center 

Researchers at Austrian universities, who are considering their next career step—inside or outside academia—are invited to learn more about the LBG Career Center.

The online session introduces the Career Center’s tailored support services, including career guidance, professional development opportunities, and individual advice, all designed to help researchers successfully navigate the next stage of their careers. July 07, 2026 , 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM, register here.

☞ Reminder: mdw Postdoc Fellowships

In 2026 the mdw offers for the fourth time two Postdoc Fellowships aimed at supporting early-stage researchers after the completion of their doctoral studies. The Fellowships are part of a set of measures taken to implement the mdw’s Research Strategy. The Fellowships are open to early-stage researchers from all disciplines who plan on submitting a proposal to the ESPRIT programme of the FWF or other post-doc funding programmes.
Here you can find more information on the call. For further information, please contact the mdw's research support office.
Application deadline: September 04, 2026

☞ Doctoral Fellowship Program of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

The DOC Fellowship Program of the Austrian Academy of Sciences offers funding for highly qualified doctoral candidates in all areas of research. The fellowships are intended to allow young researchers to dedicate themselves to working in focused fashion to complete their doctoral thesis within a clear timeframe. 
Here you can find more information on the call. For further information, please contact the mdw's research support office.
Application deadline: September 15, 2026