PhD in Advanced Biorefineries: Chemistry and Materials

The Doctoral programme Advanced Biorefineries: Chemistry and Materials (ABC & M) at BOKU University in Vienna is a research and educational platform for biorefinery scenarios. It focuses on processing renewable resources according to green and sustainable principles. The programme is taught in English and leads to the degree Dr.nat.techn. after 180 ECTS credits over six semesters.

What you study

You work on a doctoral thesis in the field of advanced biorefineries. The programme provides an integrated research platform covering various biorefinery scenarios, with an emphasis on green and sustainable processing of renewable resources. You take at least 20 ECTS credits of doctoral courses; the exact mandatory courses are set out in your program-specific supplementary doctoral thesis agreement with the Doctoral School. Further details on the research focus, the training programme and the faculty members are on the Doctoral School website (abcm.boku.ac.at).

How the programme is organised

The doctorate comprises a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, including at least 20 ECTS credits of doctoral courses. After admission, you must register your doctoral project at the Dean's Office within one year. For registration you provide: the dissertation topic; the academic degree to be awarded upon successful defense (based on field of research); the name of your supervisor, who must have full teaching authorization (venia docendi) or equivalent qualification and be part of the Doctoral School faculty; and an exposé approved by the supervisor. The exposé includes an advisory team of at least three persons (the supervisor plus at least one additional faculty member of the Doctoral School with venia docendi or equivalent qualification, and at least one member not from BOKU or the Doctoral School faculty), a time and work schedule, a plan of resources, and a proposal for doctoral courses. You also register for doctoral courses separately.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you want to research the chemistry and materials of biorefineries and you already hold a relevant degree. Admission requires a diploma or Master's degree in natural sciences, engineering sciences or social and economic sciences, or an equivalent degree from an accredited Austrian or international university, or a degree from an accredited degree programme at an Austrian university of applied sciences, or fulfilment of the admission requirements of the PhD BOKU University. You also need acceptance into a BOKU Doctoral School and must conclude a supplementary program-specific doctoral thesis agreement. If your degree is equivalent except for individual courses totalling no more than 60 ECTS, the Rectorate may require you to take certain examinations during the doctorate in addition to the doctoral examination (viva voce). Applicants with post-graduate degrees from international institutions must also present proof of admission to doctoral studies by the issuing country, certifying the general university entrance qualification. Admission is granted by the Rector of BOKU.

Admission, language and next steps

The teaching language is English. Applications go directly to BOKU University; there is no central application portal. The application period is on the institution's own page. As a public university, BOKU charges no tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss students within the standard duration plus two semesters; other students pay a fee per semester. Check the programme page for details on how to apply and on the Doctoral School's research focus and training programme.

ABC & M provides an integrated research and educational platform in various biorefinery scenarios, i.e. processing of renewable resources according to green and sustainable principles.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here BOKU University. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.