What students say
Dr. Thomas James Oudega
2023 Doctoral Programme Graduate
“The DK was a fantastic nurturing ground for my research, providing an invaluable sounding board for complex questions. It doubles as a vibrant social center, bringing students together through lunches and drinks. The annual symposium perfectly ties it all together, acting as a catalyst for both academic and social engagement. The cherry on top is the multidisciplinary environment, where you can always find expertise just outside your own comfort zone.”
Diego Hernandez
PhD Student
“The nature of the doctoral programme boosts creativity, innovation and significant opportunities for collaboration. Vienna as a science hub, the historical bond between the city and the Danube river, and the resources provided by TU Wien make the programme ideal for tackling complex problems in water resources and beyond.”
Dusan Marjanovic
PhD student
“Working on hydrodynamic modelling in the Hydrological Open Air Laboratory (HOAL) has been highly rewarding, thanks to its exceptional data and strong link between observations and simulations. The interdisciplinary environment greatly improves how models are developed and communicated, making them more realistic and impactful. Overall, the experience in Vienna is both inspiring and motivating.”
Marianne Lucie Pons
PhD student
“The doctoral program gives me freedom and independence to shape my research in my own way while ensuring continuous support and guidance.”
Doctoral Programme › What we offer
The Doctoral Programme on Water Resource Systems is shaped by our core aims of conducting cutting edge research, taking an interdisciplinary approach, and developing an international perspective.
Cutting edge research on exciting topics
Researchers in the Vienna Doctoral Programme on Water Resource Systems are working on exciting topics that are critical for society and intrigue the scientific community. They cover health, the environment, engineered structures, climate, and natural hazards.
Interdisciplinary approach
Research takes place at the interface between disciplines. Interdisciplinarity evolves in our Programme through student interactions in their daily work, through the wide spectrum of courses offered, during journal clubs and workshops, and through the diverse background of the programme staff. Students gain an understanding of a broad range of processes relevant to water resource systems that span across traditional academic disciplines. The interdisciplinary approach teaches an appreciation for a range of methods including laboratory analysis, field studies and numerical techniques.
Becoming players in the international science arena
Researchers of the Vienna Doctoral Programme on Water Resource Systems develop an international perspective and aim to become players in the international science arena. The international dimension is fostered through:
- An international group
- Research with the aim of publication in peer-reviewed, international journals
- Six month research stay abroad at our partner institutions, internationally renowned universities or research institutes
- Seminar series that allows doctoral researchers to learn and profit from the expertise of senior researchers from around the world
- Block courses delivered by internationally recognised top scientists
- Guest professors and visiting lecturers
- Active participation at international conferences
Stimulating working environment
Doctoral researchers at Vienna University of Technology work in an atmosphere of intellectual excitement. 16 highly diverse students are currently enrolled in the Programme. This ensures plenty of cross-fertilisation across the thesis projects. A tailor-made training programme for each student guarantees that courses are taken which meet each student’s individual needs. Regular mentoring gives students the support they need to meet their research objectives. Journal clubs provide a forum to discuss scientific issues and methods by analysing and presenting published journal papers. These strengthen the analytical and linguistic skills of the students, encourage critical thinking and team work skills and help students to scrutinise and use the scientific literature.
Excellent career opportunities
Research students develop unique abilities through participating in the Programme. Graduates hold key skills giving them a competitive curriculum vitae, which include:
- Technical expertise of the highest standards demonstrated by substantial scientific publications
- An international outlook developed through research abroad and exposure to international scientists
- An interdisciplinary perspective and the capacity to communicate with and work alongside experts from a range of disciplines
- Team working skills developed through group course work, research activities and mentoring
- Networking and communication skills developed through regular presentations, regular research write-ups and conference involvement.
These capacities place Doctoral Programme graduates in an exceptional position to pursue opportunities in academia, national and international research centres, international consulting companies, and in administration such as European and international agencies.
Studying in Vienna, a city with the highest quality of life
Vienna is a city of great charm and has the best of all that Central Europe has to offer: a great variety of cultural events, beautifully kept historic buildings, a vast choice of typical Viennese coffee houses and restaurants, excellent public transportation, many bicycle-lanes, plenty of green spaces and, overall, a bustling atmosphere.
Vienna University of Technology is located in the heart of the historic centre of the city and features excellent infrastructure including a well stocked library, modern laboratories, high end IT facilities, international student assistance and a career development programme.
