MDC International PhD Program (spring 2025 recruitment) - Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association is one of the largest centers for biomedical research in Germany. It covers a broad, cross-disciplinary area connecting fundamental discoveries in the laboratory with the field of medicine, and aims to develop new strategies and therapies to improve human health. The MDC International PhD Program, founded in 2003, is a collaboration between the Max Delbrück Center (MDC) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Eligibility

Applications from candidates who do not meet the following requirements will not be taken into consideration. 

Degree

Applicants are required to hold a MSc degree or equivalent.

• 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. 
• 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.

Research experience

• 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.

Thesis

• 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.

Grades

• 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.

Early-stage researchers

• 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. 

Re-applying 

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

Language skills

• 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.

MDC Master students and MDC interns

• 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.

We offer:

• 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.

Funding

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 350 EUR.