Institute of Science and Technology Austria

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Institute of Science and Technology
Established 2007
Type Public
President Thomas Henzinger
Location Klosterneuburg, Austria
Website http://www.ist-austria.ac.at/

The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) is an institute of basic research located close to Vienna (Austria). The draft concept was developed by the Austrian physicist Anton Zeilinger in 2002. Preparation work started in 2007. The concept includes

  • a focus on science and technology
  • an interdisciplinary approach
  • an independent and long-term strategy
  • the entitlement to award PhDs

Models for IST Austria are internationally renowned institutions such as the Weizmann Institute (Rehovot, Israel) and the Rockefeller University (N.Y., USA). First class, curiosity-driven research is the core value of the concept. Scientists are encouraged to pursue their own goals and their own ideas (not restricted by government or economic interest). According to the development plan 40 to 50 research groups with approximately 500 scientists should be working on the campus by the year 2016. The language at the institute is English.

Contents

[edit] History

The decision of the Austrian government in Spring 2006 to establish IST Austria caused some controversy within the scientific community inside and outside of Austria due to the lack of proper planning and independence from political influence. An international committee was then invited to develop recommendations for the establishment of the research institute. The members of the committee, Haim Harari (President of the Weizmann Institute, 1988-2001), Olaf Kübler (President of ETH Zurich, 1997-2005) and Hubert Markl (President of the Max Planck Society, 1996-2002), developed a blueprint which served as the basis of legislation that was passed in parliament with the support of the then ruling parties ÖVP and BZÖ plus the then oppositional SPÖ. The compliance of the recommendations of the committee led to rising support for the project from the scientific community and the public. Preparation work by the administration team started in 2007 on the site of a former psychiatric hospital in the Vienna Woods in the province of Lower Austria.

Positions for the first president, professors and tenure track professors were advertised in Autumn 2007. In July 2008 the German neurobiologist Tobias Bonhoeffer declined an offer to become the first president of the ISTA[1]. On December 4, 2008 the computer scientist Thomas Henzinger was appointed to this function effective September 1, 2009.[2]

[edit] Organisation

The Board of Trustees is the supreme body of IST Austria. It consists of seven scientists, nominated by science funding and advisory institutions, and seven representatives of the public, nominated by federal and provincial institutions, Thomas A. Henzinger being the president [1], Claus Raidl being the chairman and Anton Zeilinger vice-chairman.

Scientists:

Public representatives:

  • Alexander Hartig (Board member Constantia Industries AG)
  • Gisela Hopfmüller (Department head „Knowledge and Contemporary History“ at Austria’s public broadcasting corporation ORF
  • Alfred Ötsch
  • Claus Raidl (CEO Böhler-Uddeholm AG)
  • Wolfgang Ruttensdorfer (CEO OMV AG)
  • Elisabeth Stadler (Board member Raiffeisen Versicherung AG and FinanceLife Lebensversicherung AG)
  • Hansjörg Tengg

Until the first president assumes the post on September 1, 2009, the executive functions are managed by the Executive Board with its six members, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees chaired by Haim Harari.

[edit] Other notable scientists

The Scientific Board, chaired by Olaf Kübler, oversees the search for the scientists and will eventually develop a full Professorial Committee. In early 2009 the evolutionary biologist Nick Barton was the first professor to be appointed. Additional appointments announced on occasion of the official launch of ISTA on June 2, 2009 include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Tobias Bonhoeffer Declines Invitation to Serve as President of I.S.T. Austria. ISTA press release July 21, 2008
  2. ^ http://www.ist-austria.ac.at/en/Page184.aspx

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 48°18′38″N 16°15′40″E / 48.31056°N 16.26111°E / 48.31056; 16.26111

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