PhD in Biomaterials and Biointerfaces

The Doctoral programme Biomaterials and Biointerfaces (BioMatInt) at BOKU University in Vienna is a three year doctorate, 180 ECTS, taught in English. It sits in the Doctoral School BioMatInt, whose research looks at what happens when engineered materials and biological structures or tissues come into close contact.

What you study

The research focus is the interaction between materials and biological structures or tissues. The school describes its approach as highly interdisciplinary. It bridges biology and fundamental research for medical applications with technology and legal considerations. Your own dissertation topic is where the real work happens, and you register it yourself.

The programme carries at least 20 ECTS of doctoral courses. The exact minimum and the mandatory courses are set out in your programme-specific supplementary doctoral thesis agreement with the Doctoral School. That agreement is also an admission condition.

How the programme is organised

The doctorate runs over six semesters and needs a minimum of 180 ECTS. After admission you register your doctoral project at the Dean's Office within one year. The registration covers the dissertation topic, the academic degree to be awarded after a successful defence, and the name of a supervisor with full teaching authorisation (venia docendi) or equivalent, who must be part of the Doctoral School faculty.

You also present an exposé approved by the supervisor. It includes an advisory team of at least three people: the supervisor, at least one more Doctoral School faculty member with venia docendi or equivalent, and at least one member from outside BOKU or outside the school's faculty. The exposé also sets out a time and work schedule, a plan of resources and a proposal for doctoral courses. Doctoral courses are registered separately afterwards.

Who it suits

This is for someone who wants to do research at the meeting point of materials and living tissue, and who is comfortable working across disciplines, from biology and medical applications to technology and legal questions. You need 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 programme at an Austrian university of applied sciences. You also need acceptance into a BOKU Doctoral School.

Admission, language and next steps

Admission is granted by the Rector of BOKU. If your degree is equivalent except for individual courses up to 60 ECTS, the Rectorate can require extra examinations alongside the doctoral examination (viva voce). If your postgraduate degree comes from an international institution, you must also show proof of admission to doctoral studies in the issuing country, certifying general university entrance qualification. Admission under the university of applied sciences route comes with additions to the programme required by law.

The teaching language is English. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to BOKU, and the institution's own page gives the application period. At a public university, EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters; other students pay a fee per semester. The degree awarded is Dr.nat.techn. or Dr.rer.soc.oec., depending on your field of research. More on the research focus, the training programme and the faculty is on the Doctoral School website.

Research of the Doctoral School in "BioMatInt" at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) focuses on the interaction between engineered materials and biological structures or tissues when they come into close contact. Understanding and optimising the behaviour of materials and tissues at the interface is of great importance for applications such as implants, sensors or customised therapies.

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. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. 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.