Deadline:
February 20, 2025
Location(s)
Germany
Berlin
Overview
The MDC International PhD Program provides a framework of structured training for doctoral researchers in the areas of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Medical Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, as well as Structural Biology, Imaging and Biophysics.
Details
The MDC's research has a long-time goal: to advance medicine today and in the future. Its broad thematic orientation enables highly networked and collaborative projects providing insights into many different aspects of life and disease.
Our labs deal with fundamental questions of health and disease, while at the same time focusing on small details – such as the intricate workings of an ion channel or a receptor. Exploring these molecular mechanisms and translating the findings as quickly as possible into medical applications is the MDC's mission.
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 – welcome to the MDC!
Calls for PhD candidates open in Spring and Fall each year (usually around May for Fall recruitment, and in November for Spring recruitment).
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!
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 communication policy aims to maintain an objective and fair hiring process for all applicants. Communication between candidates and institute will be primarily 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 email.
Berlin
The MDC is situated at two locations in Berlin: majority of infrastructure is located on Campus Berlin-Buch, a modern science and biotechnology park with a clear focus on biomedicine. Since April 2019, the laboratories and offices of the MDC-BIMSB are located in our new building on the campus of Humboldt-Universität in Berlin-Mitte.
Frequent and radical changes through Berlin's turbulent and noticeably present history have transformed the face of the city many times over. But despite this, the city has succeeded in becoming a thriving metropolis, with a population of 3.7 million people. Extraordinary wealth of cultural opportunities attract increasing numbers of visitors, making Berlin one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It boasts a lively scene with lots of pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafés. Densely urban areas coexist with large green spaces, nature reserves, lakes and rivers, all within the city boundaries, offering a truly metropolitan lifestyle.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
- Applicants are required to hold a university degree equivalent to a Master Degree (MSc), including a research thesis in biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or some related field.
- Applicants still studying should anticipate receiving their degree not later than 6 months after the interview date.
- Required MSc final grade is ≥75%, or German score of at least 'good' (<2,5 of 5)
- Applicants shall at the time of interview be in the first four years of their research careers (master degree obtained not later than 4 years ago) andshould not have a doctoral degree already, according to the European Commission's definition of early-stage researchers.
- 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.
- Please note that candidates who have previously been invited for interviews, will not be considered for further interview.
- In the application process, applicants having completed their university degree must upload a scanned copy of the certificate, as well as transcripts, including marked coursework from university. Students still enrolled in their university program must upload a provisional certificate stating the already obtained examination marks.
Dates
Deadline: February 20, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
We offer:
- Excellent scientific, international and supportive environment
- Individual PhD supervision & mentoring
- Support of the thesis committee
- Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure & core facilities
- Regular lectures, journal clubs & seminar series
- Advanced scientific, research-related & methods training
- Participation in one of our specialised research programs
- Framework program for personal & career development
- Participation in PhD symposia, retreats & social activities
- Travel grants for external courses & conferences
- Active alumni network
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 1600 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, and include public transportation ticket.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
