International Max Planck Research School for Genome Science

Admission to IMPRS for Genome Science and DFG Research Training Group GönomiX (joint call)


Candidates (m/f/d) are invited to apply for PhD positions in the International Max Planck Research School for Genome Science (IMPRS-GS) and the DFG Research Training Group GönomiX, jointly offering competitive, interdisciplinary projects at the interface of molecular genetics, development, evolution and bioinformatics. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in experimental life sciences, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, or a closely related field. Students expected to complete their Master’s degree before October 2026 are also eligible to apply. The official language of both programs is English. Admission decisions will be based on academic excellence, research experience, motivation, communication skills, proficiency in English, and the ability to think creatively and broadly across disciplines. For detailed information about research projects and principal investigators (PIs), please visit:



All positions are fully funded. Funding is typically provided through employment contracts offered by the host research group or department, with a net monthly salary of approximately €1,300–1,600. For further details on PhD funding and working conditions in Germany, please refer to: research in Germany.


Application

The application tool is available until January 14, 2026.
(link to application tool and registration)


Complete application will include:

  1. online registration, with pdf documents to be uploaded
  2. a statement from two referees

(1.) During online application, you will be asked to enter information regarding your current and permanent address, your education (recent and previous enrollment) and academic background, language proficiency, honors, awards, and scientific motivation. You should also indicate up to five faculty members of the IMPRS-GS or GönomiX as potential supervisors. You find a list of faculty offering position here:

IMPRS-GS Projects

GönomiX Projects

(2.) You will be asked to add information or upload all your documents as single pdf file. Required information:
  • cv (max. 2 pages)
  • transcripts / academic records (Studienbuch) of your studies,
  • all academic degree certificates (only university degrees, no secondary education degrees),
  • certificates of other relevant examinations (e.g. GRE, if available)
  • documents for English proficiency (e.g. language of instruction during education, native speaker, test certificates,..., if available)

(3.) The registration requires the address of two referees for recommendation. The referees will be contacted and be asked to answer a questionnaire online. Please make sure that the referees know about the issue. The deadline for them to fill out the recommendation is two days after your application deadline. Some reference requests end up in spam folder, so tell your supervisors to have a look into it as well.
Please note that we only accept applications submitted via the online application tool, documents sent before the online application is opened, cannot be considered. In addition, please be aware that the application will only be further processed once the application deadline has passed.

The Max Planck Society, the University of Göttingen and the University Medical Center are committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in their workforce and therefore encourage applications from such qualified individuals.


Time line

Application deadline for both programmes is January 14, 2026;

  • For GönomiX, after a preliminary selection, we will notify you for short interviews end of January/beginning of February. Long interviews in Göttingen (Zoom-interviews for internationals from overseas) will take place Monday March 9th or Thursday March 12th. We hope to reach a final decision until end of March and hope to welcome you to the lab around June.

  • For IMPRS-GS we will negotiate all applications
    • February: potential supervisors will held online interviews with selected candidates (when contacted, you may make yourself familiar with specific visa conditions that apply to you for traveling to Germany)
    • End of February: inviation of shortlisted candidates (candidates should apply for travel visa immediately)
    • April 8-10, 2026: final selection at recruitment days in Göttingen
    • Fall 2026 start of PhD projects. Earlier starts might be possible, depending on the funding of the project.



Link to online registration for application