PhD Program in Biological Sciences in Germany for International Applicants (Fully funded + 1200€ per month)

PhD Program in Biological Sciences in Germany for International Applicants (Fully funded + 1200€ per month)

International PhD Program

Course(s) Offered: Biological Sciences

Course Level: Graduate (PhD)

Provider: MPI-DB; FML

Country to Study in: Germany

Scholarship Description

Under the auspices of the University of Tübingen, more than 80 students from all over the world are working on their PhDs at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology (MPI-DB) and the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory (FML).

The selection of a PhD program is a major step towards a scientific career. A PhD student commits several years of his or her life to research and the acquisition of scientific communication and leadership skills. At the end of his PhD training period, the student should come away with not only an advanced academic degree, but a firm understanding of the workings of cutting-edge research and a solid foundation for his or her career. 

The International PhD Program at MPI-DB and FML offers cutting edge training in the Biological Sciences. PhD students receive personal training complemented by selected courses and seminars. All positions are fully funded, and degrees are awarded through the University of Tuebingen.

Eligibility

ADMISSION

The PhD Program is open to highly qualified students from Germany and any other country.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEGREE

Generally, applicants must have completed all of the requirements for their MSc or Diplom degree in a relevant subject by the time they begin their PhD. They are welcome to apply while finishing their studies.

B.Sc. students graduating within the top 10% of their class from a German university with independent research experience may also be eligible.

In exceptional cases, graduates from international 4-year B.Sc. or B.Tech. programs with independent research experience may also be admitted. However, in these cases additional requirements (courses, seminars, exams or a research report) must be fulfilled. 

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE 

Applicants who do not hold a degree from a university within the European Higher Education Area must submit a GRE or GATE score. Applicants from India may provide a GATE score of a relevant specialization.

LANGUAGE QUALIFICATION

The program language is English. Applicants must demonstrate English written and oral communication skills during the application process. Test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English test or similar are not required but are looked upon favorably.

Eligible groups

Citizens of ALL countries

Participating Institutions

University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; WITH

MPI-DB, Germany; AND FML, Germany

Fields of study

The International PhD Program in the Biological Sciences offers: 

• Research First: The main focus of the International PhD Program lies on hands-on experience in research. Students start their PhD projects immediately and generally produce one or more research publications before they obtain their degree. You will find details about the research in laboratories participating in the MCSB track, the EDGE track or the CBBI track on the respective webpages.
• Program Structure: In addition to carrying out scientific research, PhD students are required to attend a minimal number of courses, participate in research seminars and present their research findings at an internal symposium. In addition, a wide variety of optional courses and activities are also available.

Number of awards

Approximately 20 new PhD students join the program each year

Sponsorship duration

For up to 4 years

Programme benefits

All PhD positions are fully funded for the whole duration of stay, usually through support contracts from the Max Planck Society. The contracts include complete coverage by the German social security system, as well as health insurance. On average, PhD students can expect to have a disposable income of approximately 1200€ per month.

The International PhD Program does not charge tuition or fees. Students wishing to enroll at the University of Tübingen are charged minimal fees (approximately €130/semester).

At MPI-DB and FML, the students profit from an interdisciplinary environment and first-rate scientific resources. Dedicated support and a plethora of courses and workshops foster the growth of these doctoral students.

Method of Application
The application procedure consists of of three steps: 1). Screening of completed application packages; 2). Telephone or video-conference interviews; and 3). Personal interviews at our institutes in Tuebingen.
The application package consists of three components which must all be provided through the online application system: 1). Online application form; 2). Certificates submitted as one pdf-file; and 3). References from two referees

Most students are selected through the annual application process, while some are admitted after directly contacting a faculty member. You can register on the online application system once the application round has been opened.

It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information on this PhD scholarship.

DEADLINES:
The next central application round is expected to open in 2016. Until then, qualified applicants are invited to contact potential PhD advisors directly.

PLEASE NOTE:
Applications must be completed by the application deadline. Partially completed applications will be deleted and you will be given the opportunity to apply again in the following round.

If you have any questions, please contact the PhD Program Office by email.

The Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology (MPI-DB) is a world-renowned research institute of the German Max Planck Society. The Friedrich Miescher Laboratory (FML) is a research institute of the Max Planck Society, named after Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss biologist who discovered the DNA while working in Tübingen.

Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen (University of Tübingen) is a public research university located in the city of Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg. It is one of Germany's most famous and oldest universities, noted in medicine, natural sciences, and the humanities.

Application Deadline: Rolling
Open to International Applicants: Yes

For more information on scholarship