Deadline:
November 04, 2024
Location(s)
Germany
Cologne
Overview
We offer an international research environment, characterized by outstanding ageing research, excellent supervision, early independence in research and state-of-the-art facilities. We are dedicated to providing first-class conditions for young scientists in a cutting edge and inspiring environment. Our competitive PhD programme provides a world-class starting platform for a successful career in science.
Details
The programme is highly selective and invites outstanding university graduates wishing to work towards a PhD in the fields of ageing and age-related diseases to become part of the vibrant and international research scene in the Cologne/Bonn area.
PHD-PROGRAMME: OVERVIEW
Our aim is to provide comprehensive training in the field of ageing research. We offer a unique curriculum with an emphasis on basic scientific logic, critical thinking, but centred on the exciting current research into the biology of ageing and age-related disease, combined with an individual career mentoring programme.
During a yearly on-site Selection Week in Cologne, our faculty offers an intensive introductory overview of the research projects. Thereafter, candidates can visit up to 5 laboratories of their choice. Up to 12 candidates are selected for the 3-year programme that starts individually between July 01 and October 1. In October there is a common Welcome Week for the new CGA PhD students.
We have put together a structured PhD programme conducted in English. The graduate school's coursework includes a method and logic training through a journal club, a comprehensive lecture series on ageing research, as well as seminars, courses and training in specialized methods, scientific soft skills, and career mentoring. A thesis committee monitors students’ research progress through regular reports and meetings.
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Next application call: The call for applications will be open from August 12 to November 04, 2024, with the programme starting between July 01 and October 01, 2025.
- Online submission: Only complete applications submitted via our online application portal will be accepted and further processed. Please note that it is not possible to change your data after submission. The completed form will not be sent back to you, therefore please take screenshots for your own records before submitting it. Make sure your email address and the contact details of your referees are correct. If you should not receive a confirmation email with your registration code within an hour after submitting the application, please check your spam filter.
- Host laboratories: Carefully check the available host laboratories. In the application form, tick 3 laboratories, which you consider for 3-hour visits in case you should be invited to the on-site recruitment week in Cologne, Germany. Please note that these laboratories cannot be changed once submitted. During the recruitment process, it will be possible to choose up to 2 further laboratories for visits.
- Documents: Start compiling your documents (CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) and approach possible referees early. Allow your 2 referees sufficient time to compose their letters of recommendations. Enable Java and JavaScript for submitting your data.
- Referees: After submitting the application form, the referees will automatically receive an email linking them to the letter of recommendation form. It is your responsibility to contact your referees and make sure that they submit the form until the indicated deadline at the latest. Reference letters received after this date will not be taken into consideration. It is not possible that applicants submit the letters of recommendation on behalf of the referees.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
REQUIREMENTS
Our international and interdisciplinary faculty offers positions in cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, bioengineering, pharmacology, neuroscience, medical biology, translational medicine or related fields. If you would like to get an idea of the current projects on offer before applying, you can do so here. We invite applicants with a Master's degree or equivalent in the above or related fields. Applicants with a medical degree are also welcome to apply, provided they have sufficient relevant research experience. Excellent written and spoken English (C1 level) is also required. If possible, please provide a language test on the application platform to demonstrate your English language skills. However, it is not compulsory to provide a language test certificate and you may instead provide a written statement explaining why you believe you are fluent in English.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic qualifications, research achievements and motivation. Following the online application, up to 42 candidates will be invited to our online panel interviews in December 2024 and up to 25 candidates will be invited to our recruitment week in Cologne from February 17-21, 2025. A PhD position may start between July and October 2025. All accepted students will be enrolled through the University of Cologne.
WHICH PREVIOUS STUDY COURSES ARE ELIGIBLE?
You have to hold a degree in fields such as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, bioengineering, pharmacology, neuroscience, medical biology or a related area. Furthermore, you must have gained sufficient research experience during your studies. Individual applications will be examined for eligibility on a case-to-case basis.
Dates
Deadline: November 04, 2024
Cost/funding for participants
All PhD students receive an employment contract including social benefits for a period of 3 years. Remuneration is based on TVL-13, 65% (gross monthly salary of approx. € 2,750 in the first year), if the requirements under collective bargaining law are fulfilled, or on the equivalent remunerated PhD support contract of the Max Planck Society (Promotionsfördervertrag, sui generis). If the PhD project is not completed within 3 years, the respective PI will fund the student for at least one additional year or until completion of the PhD under the same conditions. Depending on the affiliation of the research group, the employment contract will be concluded either with the University of Cologne, the University Hospital of Cologne or the Max Planck Society. Certain aspects of the contracts may therefore differ.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
