phd in biology berlin

Freie Universität Berlin

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Doctoral Program Natural Sciences

The doctoral program Natural Sciences (DPNS) is jointly supported by three departments of Freie Universität Berlin:

• Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy,
• Department of Earth Sciences, and
• Department of Physics,

and is a member of Dahlem Research School, the center for junior researchers at Freie Universität Berlin.

The goal of the structured program is to train talented doctoral researchers to become excellent natural scientists. Besides interdisciplinary scientific studies, this is also promoted by accompanying supervision. In addition to the scientific competences, the doctoral researchers are given the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary competences, especially in the areas of knowledge transfer, scientific integrity and science and research management. Furthermore, they are trained in science-relevant foreign languages as well as gender and diversity aspects. The program prepares doctoral researchers to take on junior positions in universities, research institutions and in public or private institutions for which a special scientific qualification is required.

• Application

Apply for our PhD program

Next recruitment: spring 2025; call opening dates will be announced soon., fully-funded phd positions in biomedical sciences.

Are you passionate about discovering the basis of health and disease, and applying your findings to answer clinically-relevant questions? Are you interested in one of the following topics?

Topic 1: Genes, Cells and Cell‑based Medicine Topic 2: Molecular Processes and Therapies Topic 3: Integrative Biomedicine

We are committed to meet today’s challenges in biology and medicine and realize that excellent science requires outstanding researchers. If you aspire to be one of them – we are looking forward to your application!

• An excellent scientific, international and collaborative learning environment 
• Individualised PhD supervision & mentoring
• Support of the thesis committee
• Advanced scientific, research-related & methods training
• Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure & core facilities
• Regular lectures, journal clubs & seminar series 
• Participation in one of our specialised research programs
• A structured program for personal & career development
• Participation in PhD symposia, retreats & social activities
• Travel grants for external courses & conferences
• Active alumni network

Students may, in addition, join our MDC-NYU PhD Exchange Program in Medical Systems Biology, iNAMES – MDC-Weizmann Helmholtz International Research School for Imaging from NAno to MESo, or become associated with the interdisciplinary HEIBRiDS Data Science School.

Who are we looking for?

To apply, a master’s degree (or equivalent) in in biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, physics or a related field , is required. You should hold or expect to obtain your degree not later than four months after the onsite interview week in Berlin (see below for the exact interview dates). Please check further details of your  Eligibility for application here .

Details on the  Recruitment process can be found here . Please make sure to check the FAQ section , as well.  

How to apply? 

Calls for applications for central MDC recruitment are open twice a year, for Spring and Fall recruitment round . Applications are accepted exclusively via our online Application portal . Email applications for the central recruitment rounds can unfortunately not be accepted . Detailed information about the application process, including Application manual,  are available here . 

For the individual PhD vacancies potentially offered outside of the central Recruitment calls, please contact the scientific group leaders of your interest directly or follow the announcements in the  Open PhD positions section.

https://mdcphd.mdc-berlin.de

Available projects

A list of participating group leaders and available projects, with detailed project descriptions, is available on our application portal upon registration.  

For approximate timeline of the central Recruitment process, please see below. Please note that these are approximate dates, and they may vary from year to year. For the exact dates, follow the announcements on our page.

I have said […] that people go into science because they are misfits, and that it is a sheltered place where they can spin their own yarn and have recognition, be tolerated and happy, and have approval for it. Interview with Max Delbrück (1978), Oral History Project, California Institute of Technology Archives.

Spring round

• Call open: from December to February
• Online interviews: in March/April
• Starting date: latest 4 months from the interviews (September same year)
• Call open: from July to September
• Online interviews: in October
• Starting date: latest 4 months from the interviews (March next year)

PhD researchers are fully funded through an initial 3-year employment contract with the MDC. Salaries are competitive to national standards, according to 65% TVöD 13 ( monthly net payment of approximately 1800 EUR ). Health and social insurance are included in the contract. In many cases, contracts are extended for an additional year. All PhD researchers are expected to complete their doctoral research and thesis in 4 years. The university tuition fees per semester are approximately 300 - 320 EUR.

Eligibility

Before starting your application, please ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the MDC International PhD Program. 

Please note that the eligibility criteria listed here apply exclusively to the MDC central Recruitment calls. Applications from candidates who do not meet the following requirements will not be considered for the central Recruitment calls (Fall and Spring Recruitment rounds).

Eligibility criteria for individual PhD vacancies offered outside of the central Recruitment calls may vary . For these, please contact the group leaders of your interest directly.

• Applicants are required to hold (or obtain within 4 months of the onsite interview week) a  university degree equivalent to a Master Degree (MSc)  in  biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or some related field . If you have obtained your MSc degree outside of Germany, a German state authority, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), will need to confirm the recognition of foreign educational qualifications ("Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications”).
• Master degree equivalents include, for example, MD degree, Master of Research (MRes) and Master of Technology (MTech) degree, 4-yr BSc + 1-yr MSc programs, integrated programs such as Diploma or BSc-MSc integrated program, as well as BTech-MTech dual degrees. 
• Applicants holding only a BSc degree are not eligible to apply. Neither a BSc degree alone, even of a 4-year-long program, nor additional experience represent an equivalent to the MSc degree.
• Applicants still studying are welcome to apply, however, they should anticipate receiving their degree  not later than 4 months after the onsite interviews in Berlin .

Applicants are required to have some relevant research experience, gained through e.g. through bachelor and/or master research projects, lab rotations, study exchange programs, or in other relevant research projects,  either of experimental or theoretical nature.

To be eligible, a research master thesis should have been required for obtaining the MSc degree. There might be exceptions to this, e.g. for MD or pharmaceutical programs that do not require a final research thesis.  Research experience is, however, obligatory.

Required MSc final grade is ≥75%, or German score of at least 'good' (<2,5 of 5). To translate your final grades into German grading system, please use the  Modified Bavarian Formula Calculator . If your grades are lower than the required, the application will not be considered.

Only  early-stage researchers  are invited to apply: candidates should at the time of interviews be in the  first four years of their research careers  (i.e. master degree obtained within the last 4 years) and  should not have a doctoral degree already . If you have gained your master (or equivalent) degree more than four years prior to the interviews,  you are not eligible and your application will not be considered . 

Candidates who have  previously participated in the online interviews are not eligible to apply again.

Applicants need to have a  good command of written and spoken English , while German language skills are not required. English proficiency tests for non-native speakers are recommended (such as TOEFL test with a score of 95+ (internet-based), 240+ (computer-based) or 587+ (paper-based), IELTS certificate with a bandscore 7.0+, or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)), however,  the language proficiency certificates   are not a requirement for the application .

• Short-term interns (this includes BSc and MSc students) who have been working or registered at the MDC for  less than 3 months  during the 2 years prior to the online interviews are eligible to apply to the International PhD program recruitment,  if they apply to a different research group.
• Short-term interns ( less than 3 months ) who wish to  join the research group they have been affiliated before  (during the 2 years prior to the online interviews) are  not eligible for the International PhD Program   central   recruitment,  and are recommended to apply for  Internal PhD fellowship positions  (internal access only).
• MDC interns who have been working or registered at the MDC  for longer than 3 months  during the 2 years prior the online interviews,  are not eligible to apply to the International PhD Program recruitment.  Instead, they are considered  internal students  and may apply for  Internal PhD fellowship positions  (internal access only).
• If more than 2 years have passed between the end of affiliation (contract or guest registration) with the MDC and the online interviews, a candidate is eligible to apply for the International PhD Program central recruitment.

Recruitment process

We have set up a multi-step recruitment process with the goal of identifying people with right mix of skills, experience, and future potential. This involves an assessment of the application based on academic accomplishments and professional experience, presentations, structured interviews, and on-site visits .

Our selection process reflects the following structure:

The application requires details about your education (university, grades), research experience, interest and motivation,  an optional short video, degree transcripts and CV, as well as two reference letters, submitted independently by the referees. Please see detailed application instructions in the  application manual here .

 Applications via email can unfortunately not be accepted.

After submission of your application, you will receive an automatic email confirming that your application has been received. To be eligible for review, your application must be submitted before the application deadline.

Applicants will be chosen based on their academic qualification, aptitude, motivation, scientific interest and letters of recommendation.

Complete submissions will be forwarded to participating group leaders at the MDC and partner institutions.   Short-listed applicants will be invited for the 1st step of the recruitment process, online interviews. You can expect invitation letters 5-6 weeks after the application deadline.

Online interviews, held via videoconference platform, consist of of a welcome session, group leader presentation session, panel interviews and Q&A sessions with Grad Office, PhD Reps, and other interested PhD students and faculty members. 

Applicants participate in a 30-mins panel interview, including discussion on pre-recorded applicant's presentation, discussion on pre-selected scientific publication and general discussion. Candidates receive scores based on their  maturity and knowledge of the field, general knowledge, ability to express motivation for the PhD program, and clear interest in a specific research direction.

Candidates are ranked according to the panel scores, and the most successful candidates are invited to onsite interviews in Berlin. 

The days of onsite interviews in Berlin are dedicated to one-on-one interviews with group leaders, lab visits, and social events. 

The one-on-one interviews and lab visits provide sufficient amount of time for interviews, discussions, introduction to the lab and facilities, demonstration of working environment and dynamics, and interaction of group leader, candidate and lab members.

Evening social events are providing additional networking opportunities of candidates, PhD Representatives, lab members and faculty. Campus and city tours give candidates an opportunity for getting a better impression of their potential living and working environment.

Travel, visa expenses, accommodation and meals during interview days are fully covered by the MDC.  The   MDC cannot buy your transportation tickets in advance or reimburse the travel expenses before the Interview week.  Initially, you have to cover all of the travel expenses by yourself and the money will be reimbursed to you after the Interview week. 

On the final day of the interview week, candidates provide names of the research group(s) they would like to join for a PhD project. In a final closed plenary session for faculty, the candidates who will be accepted to the Int. PhD Program are determined. Results of the plenary session are announced within 1 week. 

Successful candidates start their research project within 4 months after the onsite interviews.

All candidates will receive feedback within a few days from the onsite interview week. Successful candidates will receive a position offer at this stage.

Transparency of the recruitment process

We value diversity and are committed to carrying out a transparent recruitment process for every position.

Our communication policy aims to maintain an objective and fair hiring process for all applicants. Communication between candidates and institute will be primarily conducted by e-mail. We acknowledge every submitted application immediately with an automatic e-mail response. During the hiring process, all successful applicants will receive notifications on the next steps via e-mail. In due course, candidates who have not been short-listed will be informed by e-mail. 

We adhere to principles of responsible research, good scientific practice, openness and transparency, and are committed to setting a good example as a scientific environment where scientists can flourish and grow, independently of their national or ethnic background, functional variation, sex/ gender identity/ alignment/ orientation, family configuration, or other such feature of their persons or contexts. 

Application manual

Once you have  registered on the Application portal , you will receive an e-mail with your personal login information. If this e-mail has not arrived, please check your spam folder. If the problem persists, contact us at  [email protected] . Please note that for the central recruitment we do not accept applications other than those submitted through our Application portal (e.g. CVs sent directly via e-mail or through other job application portals).

After registration, you may start working on your application, editing and saving the information in each section until you submit. The application should be completed in English. All mandatory fields are marked with *. Once you have submitted the form, you will no longer be able to edit the information, however, you can check the status of your recommendation letters. Please note that you will receive a confirmation email upon submission.

Recruitment Live Info Session

https://mdc-berlin.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcvf-qorz0pE9RfFKS0NPmj-2nv5iB7uByF

Available projects.  After registration, the list of group leaders participating in this call and detailed description of their respective research projects can be found under the "Participating Group Leaders" tab. For more information on the participating project leaders please visit the  profile pages of our research labs . Carefully look into the research information and find projects that best fit your interests. Consider to check this list regularly during the call as more projects may be added.  Make sure to include all the labs and projects of your interest in the text of your application (see below, “Research & Motivation” section), with detailed statement of interest for each research lab.

Before starting the application process, please make sure that you are  eligible  to apply for our program. 

Below, you will find a detailed manual to help you fill in your application.  Please read it carefully, since incomplete and/or incorrectly filled applications will not be taken into further consideration.  Please make sure to include all relevant information in the application form. Information only included in additional documents (e.g. CV or certificates) might not be considered.

More information about eligibility, application process, language certificates, selection process, salaries, etc. can be found in our  FAQ  section.

Please note: it's applicant's responsibility to make sure the application, as well as the reference letters, are submitted before the deadline. Late submissions, incorrectly filled applications, and applications without references will not be taken into consideration. 

Personal Data: If you have multiple names, please enter the name from your passport. This is especially important if you need a visa to attend the onsite interview week in Berlin, since we will use it later for your visa application. If applicable, please use hyphens. Please enter the address that is available to and used by courier delivery services.  Make sure to use an address where you will be reachable in the period until the onsite interview week in Berlin  (especially at the time of visa applications, ca. 4-5 weeks before the onsite interview week). Furthermore, make sure to provide at least one telephone number. Additional Information:  Please tell us where you have first heard about the International PhD program at the MDC.

For detailed information on degree requirements, please check the “ Eligibility ” section. 

To be eligible, you need to have some research experience (bachelor and/or master research projects). Also, a research master thesis should have been required for obtaining your degree. If your study programs were structured in this way, you are eligible to apply.

Enter information about your university (both BSc and MSc). Please note that information on  both BSc and MSc  (or integrated program) need to be given, or you won’t be able to submit the application form.

Date of graduation:  If you have not graduated yet, put an approximate date of graduation. 

Final score:  To transform your grade into the German grading system, a detailed description of your university’s grading system is needed. Therefore, please provide information on i) highest possible grade in your grading system; ii) lowest passing grade in your system (please note: not possible, but passing) and iii) your achieved final grade. These will be used to translate your final grade into the German grading system, using the  Modified Bavarian Formula Calculator .

Scholarships and/or Awards:  Please clearly state the type of scholarships/awards you have received, the funding body, and the duration of the support.

Study abroad : Please state all long term (e.g. master program or a semester abroad), as well as short term (e.g. summer school, workshop or a course) visits. Please clearly state type of the program / event, host institution and duration of the study stay.

Statement on the Use of AI Tools:  Please declare any use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity, or similar), specifying which tools you have used and for what purpose. Please use the AI tools responsibly and ethically. Using AI for editing or assistance with structuring is acceptable, but it should not be used to generate entire sections of text or content that misrepresents your own abilities.  

Research Interest: Please select the  research area  you are most interested in from the drop-down menu. In addition, you may also select drop-down research  key words  that particularly match your interests. If you would like to be considered for one of  the international exchange programs   at the MDC, select the appropriate program field from the drop-down menu. At this stage, this only indicates your interest, and it is not considered an application for the specific exchange program.  Research Experience : Please provide information on your relevant research experience and list any supervised research projects with a duration of at least 6 weeks full time (BSc, MSc, internships, study visits or other). Please indicate whether your contribution to the project work was of a theoretical (computational) or experimental nature . Please provide more than just the abstract of the research project. Describe your role in the project, your direct contributions, and key outputs that demonstrate experience relevant for your application. Describe your accomplishments, with the emphasis on the experience you gained, techniques you used and skills you obtained.

Publications & Conference  contributions : Please give a list of your publications ( only those published in international journals ) and conference contributions (poster presentation and/or talk). Please give full citations of all publications / conference contributions. Publications in preparation or under review should not be given. Research Statement - Motivation letter:  Please use the research statement (Motivation letter) to express which research field you want to pursue during your PhD and why. Please describe your past, present, and future professional goals. Furthermore, please specify your preferences for particular MDC research labs and projects. Make sure to include all labs and projects of your interest, with detailed statement of interest for each project. This might include, for example, the background of your interest (such as previous experience or personal motivation), details on scientific questions, concepts and/or techniques of interest, as well as your goals and vision of your scientific career development, etc. Here, you should also express and elaborate on any interest in an exchange program. Research Statement - How do you envision your  work at the MDC contributing to  the MDC ’s mission, goals and community?  - max. 1500 characters including spaces. Research Statement - How have you contributed to the broader research community and society, particularly in promoting science through public outreach, open science initiatives, or other knowledge exchange activities? If so, please provide examples.  - max. 1500 characters including spaces. Research Statement - Which four undergraduate (BSc, MSc) courses did you enjoy the most? -   max. 500 characters including spaces.

Please enter complete contacts for  two referees . We recommend choosing referees that know you personally and are willing and able to write a description of your academic performance. After you fill in the contact details of your referees, an automated e-mail with a request for writing the recommendation letter will be sent to them. Please fill in  all required fields  - only after all fields are filled, the automated request will be sent. Please let  your referees know in advance that they will receive an invitation e-mail from MDC ! You cannot change your referee yourself once you have saved the contact. If you wish to change a referee, contact us in time to reset the information. Following the invitation, referees should submit their letters directly to the MDC PhD application system, using a link they received in the e-mail . Please make sure your referees have received an invitation email.  If they do not receive an e-mail within 24 hours after the automated request is sent, notify us at  [email protected]  immediately. 

Also, make sure that your referees have submitted their reference letters in time.  After submission, the status of your references will be indicated by the symbols on the left. The symbol will change from orange envelope to green "check mark" after your referees have submitted their letters.  Please note: References arriving after the reference deadline will not be processed and  applications will be considered incomplete . 

In this section you may upload a video where you address the following question in ca 2 minutes (min 1 minute):  "Which of the Nobel prize awards in the field of Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry or Physics did you find the most inspiring and why?" . You may elaborate on any award of the above categories, either recent or older.

All documents must be uploaded as pdf files (max of 3MB). 

A scanned version of the following documents is mandatory:

• Short CV  of max. 2 pages (In the CV, please provide only biographical data and professional development timeline. All relevant education, research experience, motivation, workshops, conferences and publications information should be given in the application form.)
• Transcript  (record of study, including courses list and scores)  of your highest degree awarded
• Certificate of your highest degree awarded

If you have not completed your Master's program yet, provide temporary transcripts, including scores. All documents  should be available in German or English . If you do not have an English version issued by your university, a translation certified by a public notary or other official will be sufficient. If your university does not provide transcripts, a marksheet should be provided instead.  Applications without scored transcripts cannot be further processed. 

A scanned version of the following documents is recommended ( but not obligatory! ):

• English proficiency test ​​​​​

Please note: Applicants  need to have a good command of written and spoken English , since the program language is English. Language proficiency tests for non-native speakers are recommended, however,  the proficiency certificates are not a requirement for the application !

Don’t forget to submit your application once you have completed all sections. After submission you cannot change or add information, but you can check the status of your references. The completed application must be submitted by the application deadline. 

Please note that upon submission you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

Register at our application portal

https://mdcphd.mdc-berlin.de/

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Over 200 years old,  Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is a home to more than 35 000 students, with ca 16% of students coming from abroad.  Faculty of Life Sciences – Department of Biology of Humboldt-Universität is a long-standing partner of the MDC. In collaboration with MDC and Charité, Humboldt-Universität founded the Integrative Research Institute (IRI) for the Life Sciences in 2013. It pursues cutting-edge biomedical research with an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional approach.  

Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin

Charité Universitätsmedizin  is a joint medical faculty of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Freie Universität, combining basic with clinical research and patient care. It is the largest university hospital in Europe, with more than 100 clinics and institutes. The MDC has a close partnership with the Charité: there are joint clinical research groups and major institutional collaborations.  

ECRC - Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Berlin

Established by the MDC and the Charité, within its 19 research labs and 2 facilities, the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) integrates committed clinician/scientists and translational researchers in the research-driven environment on the MDC Campus in Berlin-Buch, offering excellent opportunities for education in translational research and training of the clinician scientist.  

Weizmann Institute of Science; Rehovot, Israel

The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the leading multidisciplinary basic research institutions in the world, covering a broad range of studies in mathematics and computer science, physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology. The Institute’s unique structure encourages cooperation among scientists from different disciplines, aimed at achieving the multi-disciplinarity necessary to provide innovative approaches.

The campus community currently numbers approximately 3.500, including 250 full-professors, associate professors and senior scientists who serve as heads of research groups, as well as 850 staff scientists, engineers and technicians, approximately 1.100 graduate students working toward MSc or PhD degrees and about 400 postdoctoral fellows.

In 2020, the MDC joined forces with the Weizmann Institute of Science, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Charité Universitätsmedizin, starting  iNAMES - MDC-Weizmann Helmholtz International Research School (HIRS) for Imaging and Data Science from the NAno to the MESo.

Frequently asked questions:

Which degrees are recognised?

Applicants are required to hold (or obtain within 4 months of the onsite interview week) a university degree  equivalent to a Master Degree (MSc) , including  a research thesis , in  biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or some related field. 

Can I apply before finishing my master studies?

At the time of application, you do not have to have finished your degree. However, students are asked to  start their research project within 4 months of the onsite interviews , by which time you should anticipate to hold your degree.

I have a medical degree (MD). Am I eligible?

Yes, you are welcome to apply, as long as you have some relevant r esearch experience.

I have a degree in Public Health? Am I eligible?

If your master (or equivalent) program required a research project thesis to complete the program, AND you do have some relevant research experience in biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or some related field, you are eligible to apply. However, please note that the MDC is a research center, with a focus on basic biomedical research, and available projects are mostly not compatible with a Public Health background.  

My degree is from a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule). Can I apply?

Yes, the graduates from the universities of applied sciences are welcome to apply if their university program required a research project thesis to complete the program, and they have relevant research experience.  

I only have a BSc, but a lot of research experience. Can I apply?

Unfortunately, neither a BSc degree alone, even of a 4-year-long program, nor additional experience represent an equivalent to the Master degree, thus you are not eligible. 

I already have a PhD. Can I apply for another?

If you  already hold a PhD degree, you are not eligible to apply .

Am I allowed to apply twice / again?

If you were not shortlisted for the online interviews, you are allowed to apply again. However, if you have already participated in the online interviews, you are not eligible to apply again. 

Does the program have language requirements and what is the program language?

The program language is English, therefore proficiency in English is a must. For your application, proof of English knowledge is recommended, but not mandatory!

Is there an age limit?

No, there is no age limit. However, please note that you should have obtained your MSc degree  (or equivalent) degree not more than four years prior to the interviews.

Where and when can I apply?

Applications for the Int. PhD Program are accepted  through the online Application portal only .  The portal opens twice a year, usually around May for Fall recruitment and in November for Spring recruitment. Exact dates and application details are indicated  here . 

Where can I find the list of available projects?

After registration, the list of group leaders participating in a call and detailed description of their respective research projects can be found under the "Participating Group Leaders" tab in the Application portal. For more information on the participating project leaders, please visit the profile pages of our research labs .

Do I need to select a specific project immediately?

You are not applying for a specific project at this stage, however, make sure to include all the labs and projects of your interest in the text of your application (“Research and Motivation” section), with detailed statement of interest for each research lab.

Can I save the data of my application and resume, completing it later?

Yes, you can save your application and take up editing again later. Once you have submitted your application, no more changes can be made. 

What information has to be submitted with the application?

You will submit information on education, research skills and interests, a letter of motivation and contacts of 2 referees. In the document section, you are asked to upload a CV, university transcripts and certificates, and if available, the certificate of an English language test. English language tests, GRE, etc are not mandatory at this stage. For details, visit the application manual.

What happens if I cannot provide any English language certificates?

Proof of English language knowledge is not obligatory but rather  optional . If you do not have such documents, your application will still be valid.

Do I need to have my certificates available in English?

All documents should be available in German or English. If you do not have an English version issued by your university, a translation certified by a public notary or other official will be sufficient.

My PDF files are too big. What can I do?

You will have to reduce their sizes. There are several online free tools that can easily reduce the size of your PDF files, for example:

• http://smallpdf.com/compress-pdf
• https://www.pdfcompress.com/

Please make sure you understand their privacy policy before using any of these third-party services.

How many recommendation letters do I need to have and can I send the PDFs (scans) directly?

You will need recommendation from  two referees . We recommend choosing referees that know you personally and are willing and able to write a description of your academic performance. As soon as you have completed the contact details, your referees will automatically receive a request for a letter of recommendation and they should submit their letters directly using a link they receive in the e-mail. Thus, you should not send the PDFs of the recommendation letters directly to us.

My referee did not receive an invitation from the MDC to send a recommendation letter, what should I do?

Firstly, please make sure you entered the correct e-mail address of your referee. Secondly, your referee should check their spam mailbox to make sure the invitation letter did not end up there. If you entered the wrong address or the letter simply did not arrive, contact us immediately at  [email protected]

Will I receive a confirmation after having registered and submitted my application?

Yes, after having registered you will receive a confirmation email to the mail address stated. After you have submitted your application you will again receive a confirmation. If you did not receive any confirmation email, most likely our email ended up in the spam or junk folder. If you cannot find your confirmation email there, you might have misspelled your email address during registration. In that case, simply fill in the registration form again. If you still do not receive your registration email, please contact the graduate school office [email protected] .

What happens after submission?

Applications are prescreened and the MDC faculty selects candidates for the first step of the recruitment process, online interviews. Invitations for online interviews will be sent about 5-6 weeks after the application deadline.

How can I check the status of my application?

Once you have submitted the form, you will no longer be able to edit the information, however, you can check the status of your recommendation letters, using the colour code of the box. The symbol on the left will change from an orange envelope to a green "check mark" after your referees have submitted their letters. Other information about changes in the status of your application (submission, invitation / rejection decision) will be communicated via e-mail.

How and when will I hear about the outcome of my application?

Students who submitted a complete application will be informed by email. Students shortlisted for online interviews will be informed about the result 5-6 weeks after the application deadline. All other candidates will be informed shortly after.

What happens during the online interviews?

Applicants participate in a 30-mins panel interview, including discussion on pre-recorded applicant's presentation, discussion on pre-selected scientific publication and general discussion. Candidates receive scores based on their maturity and knowledge of the field, general knowledge, ability to express motivation for the PhD program, and clear interest in a specific research direction.

How should I present my research project?

Candidates present their research project (usually master research project or other longer project they participated in during their studies) in form of a pre-recorded presentation. Presentations will be stored in the application portal and available to all group leaders for viewing before the start of online interviews.

Panel members will watch the pre-recorded candidate presentations before the start of online interviews and prepare questions for the short presentation discussion.

How should I prepare for the online interviews?

You will receive all the instructions and technical details about the videoconference platform used for online interviews well in advance. The most important thing is to get familiar with the videoconference system, and get comfortable with its functions and features, such as navigation between rooms or screen sharing. Second important point is to make sure your internet connection is fast enough to support this kind of activity. Here, it is better to use the ethernet cable connection instead of WiFi. Please check the settings and quality of both audio and video features. If your home internet connection is not fast enough, you should find a suitable alternative, such as using resources at your university or public library. If possible, you should also prepare a second screen, since this eases videoconference participation.

What if problems with the videoconference system arise during my online interviews?

We will prepare more than one videoconference platform for you to use, and backup communication channels will be available. 

When will I know if I got selected for the onsite interviews in Berlin?

You will receive invitations for the onsite interview week in Berlin within 1 week of the online interviews.

What happens during the onsite interview week?

Onsite interview week consist of introduction to the Grad School program, one-on-one interviews, lab visits, campus and city tours and social events.

The one-on-one interviews and lab visits provide sufficient amount of time for interviews, discussions, introduction to the lab and facilities, demonstration of working environment and dynamics, and interaction of group leader, candidate and lab members.

Evening social events are providing additional networking opportunities of candidates, PhD Reps, lab members and faculty. Campus and city tours give candidates an opportunity for getting a better impression of their potential living and working environment.

Will interview costs be covered?

All costs during interview week including travel expenses, visa, accommodation and food will be covered by the MDC. Please note:  MDC as a public institution is not able to buy your transportation tickets in advance or reimburse the travel expenses before the Interview week.  Initially, you have to cover all of the travel expenses by yourself and the money will be reimbursed to you after the Interview week. 

What happens if I cannot participate in the Interview week in Berlin due to time constraints?

Your participation is absolutely obligatory. If you are not available on that week, you would unfortunately not be considered for the selection process. Videoconference options are not possible at this stage.

When do I know whether I have been accepted to the program?

Acceptance letters are sent within 7-10 days after interviews.

When can I start my PhD?

Students have to start their research project  within 4 months of the onsite interviews  at the MDC.   In general, PhD students will agree with his or her prospective supervisor on a specific starting date.

How do I enroll at the university?

Upon your start at the MDC, the MDC Grad School Office will lead you through the process of the enrolment. Most students at MDC are enrolled at the local partner universities Charité, Humboldt Universität, or Freie Universität. Usually, y ou will enroll at the institution your prospective group leader is affiliated with. 

Are there any tuition fees?

There are no MDC Grad School tuition fees, however, after enrolling at the university you shall pay the semester fees of ca. 300 - 320 Euro, including public transportation ticket.

How  will I finance my PhD studies ?

PhD students receive a work contract according to the German public system, including health and social insurance, as well as pension scheme. The initial contract is for 3 years and the net salary amounts to about 1,800 Euro per month.

Is there support upon arriving in Berlin?

The Welcome and family office at the MDC supports all students upon arriving in their first steps settling in Berlin,  including all issues related to VISA and residence.

How long does it take PhD students to complete their PhD?

Students are expected to complete their degree in four years.

Contact and information

[email protected]

Graduate School

Application portal

IMPRS Biology And Computation

The International Max Planck Research School for Biology And Computation offers a dual education with supervision from experimental and computational groups and the opportunity to carry out research at the interface of biology, bioinformatics, mathematics and biochemistry.

We are a joint graduate program of the Freie Universität Berlin (FU, departments of biology, chemistry, pharmacy and department of mathematics and computer science) and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG). IMPRS-BAC is a member program of Dahlem Research School (DRS)

As a PhD student of the IMPRS-BAC, your time will mainly be devoted to your PhD thesis work in one of the research groups of the school, but the IMPRS-BAC also offers an exciting and flexible curriculum, allowing you to gain both scientific and transferable skills.

Most of our students come into the program with a master's degree in a relevant subject (e.g. molecular biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, biotechnology). For exceptional students with a bachelor's degree only we offer the preparatory program which allows you to attend lectures for three semesters and start on your PhD research after a qualifying exam, without submitting a master's thesis.

The submission and successful defense of your thesis at the end of the PhD program entitles you to the German doctoral degree "Doctor of Natural Sciences" (Dr. rer. nat.) which is considered to be equivalent to the international academic degree "Doctor of Philosophy" (Ph.D.). The doctoral degree is awarded by one of the participating departments of the Freie Universität Berlin.

Our students come from all over the world and our working language is English. Some knowledge of German may be required for the preparatory program.

Our research groups work in epigenetics, bioinformatics, developmental biology, mathematics, sequence analysis, gene regulation, RNA biology, mechanobiology, protein biochemistry, stem cells and differentiation, statistics, molecular evolution, biophysics and more. Have a look at our website for more detailed and up-to-date information.

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International Max Planck Research School for Infectious Diseases and Immunology

The IMPRS-IDI is a vibrant international doctoral program with about 70 doctoral students from more than 20 different countries. We offer outstanding training and support in an excellent scientific network. Our faculty members are affiliated with internationally renowned research institutes in Berlin as well as the Berlin universities. Our mission is to support students to develop into creative and critical, responsible and self-confident young researchers. We strive to provide excellent training to our students. The outstanding research projects analyzing the biochemical, molecular, genetic, organismal and epidemiological basis of infections and immune reactions in our graduate school program are supported by a flexible curriculum structure, including training courses and lectures on scientific topics as well as technical and complementary skills.

Call for applications 2025 open now

Current challenges.

Our understanding of infections and their interactions with other diseases such as cancer, neurological and metabolic disorders has progressed significantly over the last decades. However, many relevant infectious diseases are far from being eradicated. The opposite is the case: resistance to antimicrobials (in man and livestock), lack of efficient vaccines and therapies for major global health threats along with evolution of new pathogen variants has led to the emergence or re-emergence of infectious diseases of sometimes epidemic dimensions. On the other hand, our immune system is ever more likely to “go rogue” as autoimmune disorders and allergies which are associated with a modern lifestyle are on the rise.

The IMPRS-IDI sets out to train and support the next generation of researchers in addressing these important challenges. In their projects, the IMPRS-IDI doctoral students aim to explain the genetic, biochemical and organismal basis of infections and immune reactions. The projects are in the areas of pathogenicity mechanisms, pathogen-host interactions, pathogen-host co-evolution, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, development and differentiation of immune cells.

An excellent network

Our graduate program is part of a wider network of graduate schools in the areas of infectious diseases, (chronic) inflammation und immunity that collaborate under the umbrella “ZIBI Graduate School Berlin”. This strong and actively cooperating community provides a truly interdisciplinary framework for the doctoral students. To foster scientific exchange and to expose the students to a wide variety of research fields, we organize joint events – including a monthly “Students´ Day” and an annual retreat. On top of this, the doctoral students form a large and diverse community from which exciting ideas and activities emerge. A highlight is the yearly Science-Ethics-Politics-Day, a symposium on the interfaces of science and society, organized by students for students.

The IMPRS-IDI was founded in 2006 as a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU). Our members are affiliated with several internationally leading research institutions in Berlin, including the Freie Universität Berlin, the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ), and the Technische Universität Berlin.

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Faculty of Life Sciences

The Graduate Centre Life Sciences is a service facility for all current and prospective doctoral candidates at the Faculty of Life Sciences. It offers information on the admission to doctoral studies, further education, networking and counselling during the doctoral study period.

The Graduate Centre Life Sciences is the contact point for all current and prospective doctoral candidates at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in Agricultural Science, Biology, Biophysics, Horticultural Science and Psychology.

The doctoral office of the Faculty of Life Sciences is responsible for all administrative matters related to your doctorate. The subject administrators are responsible for processing applications for admission, initiation of the doctoral degree procedure and, if necessary, applications to prolong the standard period of study. They are the point of contact for doctoral candidates and supervisor for all formalities of the doctorate.

General information:

Please contact the staff of the doctoral office primarily by e-mail and send forms and applications in advance as a scan (in one PDF).

If you apply for the opening of your doctoral procedure, please submit your thesis and the related documents separately in one PDF each . Then submit the printed copies and the original documents as soon as possible.

We will only send documents such as admission letters and certificates by post or e-mail.

PLEASE NOTE:

Since 11 October 2023, all doctoral procedures shall be opened according to the doctoral degree regulations of 10 October 2022. This does not apply to the procedures of those of you who have informed us by 10 October 2023 that you wish to do your doctorate according to the regulations under which you were admitted (PO 2022, § 22 Para. 3).

Semester Break 2024/2025

The doctoral office will be closed from 23 December 2024 to 04 January 2025. No applications can be accepted or enquiries answered during this period. Thank you for your understanding!

Before the doctorate

During the doctorate, forms, regulations, completing the doctorate.

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Zulassung / Admission Image Credit: Marion Kuka

In order to apply for admisson to the doctoral degree program, please submit the following documents as one entire-PDF-file (file name: "Name_first name_application"), sorted in the order below, by e-mail with the subject "Application for admission" to the doctoral office according to the doctoral subject responsibilities and first letter of your surname:

When you are admitted to the doctoral degree program, you will be asked to present the originals of your transcripts of records and your certificates to the doctoral office during your standard time to completion or at the latest with thesis submission.

1) Identity card or Passport

2) application for admission.

ATTENTION! As of 1 st of January 2023, only the application form with date "Stand October 2022" or younger will be accepted! The supervisor = first reviewer is the person in whose working group you are working. For external doctoral candidates, the university professor from our department at the FU, whose primary employment is with the university, will act as your second reviewer. In case your supervisor is not habilitated the following additional application according to Section 6.3 has to be submitted incl. a list of procedures already supervised, CV and a list of publications.

3) Working plan - signed by doctoral candidate + supervisor

Approx. 1 - 2 pages continuous text: Description of the objectives and methods of the doctoral project   

4) Time schedule - signed by doctoral candidate + supervisor

Tabular representation of the chronological sequence up to thesis submission

5) Signed CV

6) transcripts of records + certificate of highest degree.

In case of certificates, which are neither German nor English, a certified translation is requested.

• Master (120 ECTS) or
• 2 nd State Examination Pharmacy or
• 3 rd State Examination Medicine / Veterinary Medicine or
• another equivalent qualification  

7) Master's or final thesis as a PDF (for a degree obtained abroad) in a separate file

8) transcripts of records + certificate of basic studies.

• Bachelor (180 ECTS) or
• 1 st State Examination Pharmacy or
• another equivalent qualification

9) Proof of the language skills     of the language in which the doctoral degree program is done

If the higher education qualification ( Abitur ) was not acquired in a German-speaking country, a language qualification (German DSH2 or English B2) must be provided on the basis of one of the following certificates. Please note that no other language certificates are accepted. German: at least Level DSH-2 Only the following evidence will be accepted: DSH-2 - Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang Telc C1-Hochschule C2-Zertifikat des Goethe-Instituts DSD II - Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz TestDaF mit mindestens Niveau 4 in allen vier Teilprüfungen Feststellungsprüfung des Studienkollegs

E nglish: at least Level B2 Only the following evidence will be accepted: Cambridge Examinations: First Certificate (FCE = B2) Advanced (CAE = C1) Proficiency (CPE = C2) IELTS: at least 5.5 TOEFL PBT or ITP: at least 543 TOEFL IBT: at least 72 UNIcert® II Telc B2-Zertfikat Pearson PTE Academic: at least 59 TOEIC: (all modules must be completed) Listening and Reading Test: at least 785 + Speaking Test: at least 160 + Writing Test: at least 150 If you have an academic degree where the language of instruction was English and if you provide us with a proper confirmation, this can also be accepted as proof of English language proficiency at level B2.

Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be found here.

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