General Information
Supported by the RCC, member consortia offer doctoral candidates a research-intensive environment with additional training elements that go beyond the standard curriculum. Targeted international recruitment in combination with financial support, high-quality specialist training, mobility support and additional qualification opportunities in specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications form the cornerstones of the training.
Member consortia are internationally oriented groups of doctoral candidates and supervisors (faculty) researching an overarching topic. A consortium consists of the faculty (supervisors and postdocs involved in advising) and the doctoral candidates.
Consortia ensure regular academic exchange between faculty members and doctoral candidates. They promote international contacts of their doctoral researchers as well as their participation in the activities of the scientific community. In addition, doctoral candidates are given opportunities to acquire transferable skills, particularly through the Research Careers Campus.
The doctoral forums established at the University of Graz are associate members of the RCC.
Groups of doctoral candidates and faculty members who do not yet meet the requirements for admission to the Research Careers Campus as a consortium can apply for candidate status.
RCC candidate consortia can receive up to € 5,000 as seed funding for the preparation of third-party funding applications. The candidate status is awareded exclusively by invitation for application. However, interested doctoral groups can contact the Research Careers Campus (rcc(at)uni-graz.at) for a preliminary conversation. In the case of an invitation the doctoral group has to the form for the application for candidate status.
Before contacting the RCC, please read the directives for the candidate status.
An overview of all RCC Consortia and Candidate-Consortia can be found below
DART is a joint doctoral program of two major Austrian Universities (in Graz and in Vienna), that specializes in the area of accounting, reporting, and taxation with a focus on economics-based research, applying quantitative research methods. The program is fully taught in English and covers all areas of accounting research.
Speaker: Alfred Wagenhofer
Vice-Speaker: Univ. Prof. Dr. Ralf Ewert
Contact:
DART – Doctoral Program in Accounting, Reporting, and Taxation
Universitätsstraße 15/E4, A-8010 Graz
Anthropogenic climate change has emerged as one of the main areas of concern in the 21st century. Strategies to deal with climate change and its possible consequences are imbued with uncertainty. The DK attempts to reach a better understanding of climate change uncertainties and, while doing so, to develop criteria for thresholds, namely critical points where a small change in a system suffices to induce a qualitative change in the system or in different systems. These considerations will be connected with the development and evaluation of possible strategies to cope with climate change.
Speaker: Lukas Meyer
Vice-Speaker: Gottfried Kirchengast
Contact:
Glacisstraße 27/I
8010 Graz
The programme's interpretation of Discrete Mathematics is rather wide, even if comparing the research areas of the first funding period with the second one reveals that it now has a stronger focus on core themes of discrete mathematics, due to changes in the faculty.
The programme covers many topics from pure and also applied mathematics: classical elds such as combinatorics, number theory, graph theory, probability theory and group theory, as well as more themeswhich look towards computer science, like computational geometry and discrete optimization.
Speaker (Uni Graz): Eleonore Faber
Contact:
The Research Career Campus Consortium 'Theoretical Particle Physics' at the University of Graz offers a structured doctoral program in theoretical elementary particle physics, as well as a cross-cutting support and mentoring scheme for postdocs. Since 2006, over 50 PhD students have researched a wide range of topics, from quantum chromodynamics to dark matter, the Higgs boson, and other areas. Postdocs have been included since 2025 as part of a university-wide restructuring. Our research covers all areas of particle physics, as well as subfields of related areas like nuclear physics, astroparticle physics, gravitation, and cosmology. Simply put, we aim to understand the most fundamental laws of nature on all scales and to answer why something (and we) exist.
Speaker: Axel Maas
Vice-Speaker: Dénes Sexty
Contact:
Institut für Physik - Fachbereich Theoretische Physik
Universitätsplatz 5
8010 Graz
The main focus of the international research training group DK W1244 is the development of novel analytical and numerical methods for optimization, control, and estimation in problems described by partial differential equations (PDEs), where different kinds of non-smooth structures are involved.
Speaker: Christian Clason
Vice-Speaker: Klemens Fellner
Contact:
Heinrichstraße 36
8010 Graz
The IGS aims at comparing the self—world relations that are established, reflected and sustained in socio-religious practices in Mediterranean antiquity with those in the modern period. Using the concept of 'resonance' the relations are understood as a two-way ‘loaded’ connection. The projects from Sociology, Theology and Ancient Studies confront different methodological traditions and periods to open sociologically oriented and historically funded perspectives on self-world relations.
Speaker: Wolfgang Spickermann
Vice-Speaker: Irmtraud Fischer
Contact:
Veronika Kolomaznik
+43 316 380 - 2392
The EECE consortium aims to investigate adaptations of both ecosystems and organisms (fungi, plants, animals) to environmental changes in terms of seasonal fluctuations as well as climatic changes. With state-of-art research tools and approaches, we will study short-term reactions as well as long-term changes and develop new bio-monitoring methods including those implemented in anthropogenic niches.
Speaker: Kristina Sefc
Vice-Speakers: Martin Grube ; Christian Sturmbauer
Contact:
Kristina Sefc
Institute of Biology
The Research Consortium is based on the doctoral programme “Synergies in Business Law”. It focuses on practice-relevant and under-researched synergies between insolvency, corporate and financial law. An interdisciplinary approach is applied also during the supervision.
Speaker: Kerstin Tina Ehrke-Rabel
Contact:
Maddalena Vivona detta Bivona
Crucial processes in physics, chemistry and biosciences take place on the nanometer scale, being interdisciplinary by themselves. In our consortium, we investigate the phenomena which occur within these dimensions with experimental techniques as well as the theoretical approaches.
Speakers: Peter Banzer ; Thomas Weiss
Contact:
Michaela Kogler
Institute of Chemistry
The doc.fund “Molecular Metabolism” (MOBILES) is an international PhD training program for outstanding students in the molecular biosciences. The consortium aims to provide scientific training to exceptional young scientists in different areas of molecular biology, infection biology and biochemistry. PhD projects address questions relevant to diet- and age-related changes in metabolism, regulation of lipid metabolism and bacterial modulators of metabolism using diverse model organisms [bacteria, yeast, cell culture, fly and mouse (BYCFM)].
Speaker: Monika Oberer
Vice-Speaker: Stefan Schild
Contact:
Kristina Schild
Institute of Molecular Biosciences
Telefon: +43 316 380 - 5496
E-Mail: kristina.schild(at)uni-graz.at
Website: https://docfunds-molecular-metabolism.uni-graz.at/de/
PhD students in the RCC consortium “Sustainable Biocatalysis” engage in interdisciplinary research to develop innovative biocatalytic methods that utilize enzymes for environmentally friendly chemical transformations. The consortium brings together research groups specializing in biocatalytic synthesis, structural biology, and photobiocatalysis to address the challenges of designing more sustainable processes. We study enzyme structures and mechanisms to enhance the efficiency, stability, and selectivity of biocatalysts. Our work in photobiocatalysis further pushes the boundaries of the field by harnessing light-driven reactions to activate enzymes, creating novel, energy-efficient pathways for sustainable biocatalytic processes.
Speaker: Christoph Winkler
Vice-Speaker: Wolfgang Kroutil
Contact:
Christoph Winkler
Institute of Chemistry
Website: The Elk Crew—Biocatalysis at the University of Graz (uni-graz.at)
The Consortium Europeanization Processes in Southeastern Europe – ESOE – is based on the PhD Program Southeastern Europe that was established in 2013. The Program's main goal was to significantly enrich state-of-the-art research in the field of South East European Studies with innovative results as well as to support doctoral research at the University of Graz with a focus on Southeastern Europe. Concrete analytical goal of the Consortium is to speed up innovations particularly in the fields of interdisciplinary, ideology-critical and historical-critical Europeanization research. The Consortium faculty consists of twelve members with ten different disciplinary backgrounds. In addition to the excellence and interdisciplinarity of the research and teaching program, internationalisation is one of the central tools of the Consortium. The Consortium implements international research and teaching standards, gathers international students and international faculty members, facilitates study and research trips to other universities, as well as guest lectures of internationally distinguished experts and guest research fellows. The program is gathering doctoral researchers of the University of Graz from the fields of History, Political Science, Anthropology, Literature, Gender Studies, Economics, Law, Sociology, Theology, and Human Geography. The Consortium's program is based on regular classes including semester retreats, as well as on regular joint PhD-classes with different PhD-groups from other parts of Europe.
Speakers: Florian Bieber ; Heike Karge ; Hrvoje Paic
Contact:
Tanja Bilaver
Centre for South East European Studies
Administrative Koordination
Hrvoje Paic
Zentrum für Südosteuropastudien
Wissenschaftliche Koordination
The consortium studies complex living interaction networks. Understanding complexity and interactions within and between components of living systems prepares for coming changes in the biosphere and sociosphere. The methodology used includes optimization, decision theory, game theory, network theory, systems analysis, simulation and other computational methods.
Speaker: Maia de Oliviera Wood
Vice-Speaker: Gundolf Haase
Contact:
Alexander Thomas Goritschnig
Research Management and Service
BioMolStruct, “Biomolecular Structures and Interactions", is an international PhD training program and assembles a group of researchers from 3 universities in Graz - University of Graz, Medical University of Graz and Graz University of Technology. The PhD program sustains specialized education in integrative structural biology with a solid experimental and theoretical background on dynamics of biomolecules using molecular biology, biophysics and structural biology. It provides challenging research projects where the integration of complementary structural biology techniques enables functional studies of challenging biological questions involving, for example, antibodies, lipid vesicles, protein-lipid interactions, transporters, secretion systems, signaling proteins and large enzyme complexes.
Speaker: Tea Pavkov-Keller
Vice-Speaker: Klaus Zangger
Contact:
Tea Pavkov-Keller
Institute of Molecular Biosciences
The consortium “Human Factor in Digital Transformation” (HFDT) focuses on two main topics:
the human-centered approach in an increasingly technological environment ("SSH-->ICT"); andthe use of information technology in research ("ICT--> SSH").
In order to lend weight to the topic in scientific and social discourse, a group of young HFDT-researchers at the top level with interdisciplinary expertise is to be established in the international community. Particular importance is attached to the staff, which includes researchers from the humanities (philosophy, psychology, educational sciences), the social and economic sciences (sociology, economics, business administration), the data sciences (BANDAS, SIS, ZIM) as well as the normative disciplines (theology, law, ethics).The core is the integration of doctoral students in an intensive research-related discussion and cooperation context, e.g. the joint organisation of scientific events and project proposals, joint publications or seasonal schools. In "Methodology Labs", the extent to which discipline-specific methodologies can be usefully applied in other disciplines is tested experimentally. The researchers are also called upon to discuss the major societal issues of the digital transformation - each from the perspective of their sound professional expertise - together at an international level and to develop proposals for solutions. The consortium is connected to the interdisciplinary research network.
Speaker: Jörn Kleinert
Vice-Speaker: Elisabeth Staudegger
Contact:
Simone-Carmen Kotar
Mountains are a complex landscape form of the earth, which occupy only a smaller part of the earth's surface in terms of area, but have a great influence on atmospheric processes (and thus the climate), on the water cycle, on the biosphere, on many relevant natural hazards and thus on humans. Because of atmospheric circulation and its importance for the water balance, the importance of mountains goes well beyond their actual size. Precisely because of the complexity of the interconnected processes, increased cooperation between geology, geomorphology, hydro(geo)logy, biology, and climatology is needed. At the same time, our knowledge about mountains is lower than for other regions of the Earth. The poorer process understanding for mountain regions also results in lower performance of models/model simulations and thus poorer prediction. The consortium "Mountain Knowledge: Climate - Water - Risk (Moledge)" aims to improve the understanding of processes and systems and their changes due to climate change as well as risks for humans in mountain regions with a threefold focus:
(a) processes of mountain formation and natural hazards.
b) climate change in mountain regions and its consequences in different regions of the Earth
c) changes in the cryosphere in mountain regions, water cycle and resulting risks.
Speaker: Wolfgang Schöner
Vice-Speaker: Gerfried Winkler
The „MOVEMENT & HEALTH“ consortium brings together experts who study how human movement affects body and mind. We look at many kinds of physical activity – such as endurance exercise, coordination training, dance, and everyday movement – and how they influence health, wellbeing, creativity, and learning from childhood to old age.
Our research takes place in laboratories, clinics, schools, workplaces, and community settings. We examine how movement changes the brain, muscles, and tendons, how it can support rehabilitation, and how active lifestyles help prevent disease. We also develop practical programs and digital tools that encourage people to be more active.
Doctoral researchers work in interdisciplinary teams and help create evidence-based strategies for healthier, more active lives.
Speakers: Markus Tilp ; Andreas Schwerdtfeger
Website: https://dk-movement-health.uni-graz.at/de/
Contact: Markus.tilp(at)uni-graz.at
MetAGE is an interdisciplinary research network that investigates the role of metabolic regulation in healthy aging. It focuses on understanding how metabolic dysregulation contributes to the development of age-related diseases and how targeted prevention and intervention strategies can promote health in later life. Findings from basic research are closely linked with clinical studies. A key component of MetAGE is the dedicated support of early-career researchers, particularly PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, to ensure sustained innovation in the field. The overall aim is to better understand the biological mechanisms of aging and to develop new approaches for personalized health prevention. In doing so, MetAGE promotes a shift from a “medicine of disease” to a “medicine of health.”
Speaker: Brigitte Pertschy
Vice-Speaker: Renate Schreiber
Website: www.metage.at
Contact: metage(at)uni-graz.at
Computational Social Systems (CSS) are sociotechnical systems in which digital technologies and social worlds are deeply intertwined – from social media platforms and business analytics to neurotechnologies. Their design is shaped by sociocultural assumptions, economic objectives, and legal frameworks. The consortium brings together research initiatives from sociology, economics, psychology, and computer science at the University of Graz as well as local and international partner institutions. Research in the field of CSS is methodologically diverse – the consortium creates a shared space for the early-career researchers involved, united by a common interest in understanding and responsibly shaping Computational Social Systems.
Speakers: Jana Lasser, Juliane Jarke
Contact: jana.lasser(at)uni-graz.at
Candidate-Consortia
The "Interdisciplinary Gender Studies" candidate-consortium offers doctoral students with a gender-related research focus a structured framework for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange. It promotes theoretical and methodological consolidation as well as networking with researchers and lecturers from different disciplines. The focus lies on analyses of socio-cultural gender orders and concepts, social practices, and cultural meanings of gender in all their contradictions in the past and present. Through regular colloquia, workshops and reading groups, academic dialogue, feedback culture, and the further development of individual research, approaches are strengthened and the visibility of gender studies at the University of Graz is increased.
Speaker: Heidrun Zettelbauer
Vice-Speaker: Martina Bär
Second Vice-Speaker: Katharina Scharf
Contact:
dpgeschlechterstudien(at)uni-graz.at
https://doktoratsprogramm-gender.uni-graz.at/de/
Heinrichstraße 26/II, Sekretariat Arbeitsbereich für Kultur- und Geschlechtergeschichte & Doktoratsprogramm Interdisziplinäre Geschlechterstudien
DW 2368