Application

We seek exceptional graduates from around the globe and are delighted to offer them the ideal environment for advancing their scientific careers. The International Max Planck Research School for Biology and Computation (IMPRS-BAC) graduate program provides interdisciplinary training for doctoral candidates at the intersection of molecular life sciences and computational sciences. This program offers comprehensive perspectives and mentorship in both experimental and computational fields, catering to graduates in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics, and related disciplines.

If you possess a strong understanding of genome science and a passion for areas such as epigenetics, developmental biology, gene regulation, RNA biology, protein biochemistry, stem cells, bioinformatics, sequence analysis, mathematics, statistics, molecular evolution, or biophysics, and wish to work at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics or Freie Universität Berlin, this doctoral program is your ideal pathway!

Selection Procedure

The selection of doctoral candidates is highly competitive and entirely based on qualification, motivation for doctoral studies at the interface between molecular life sciences and computational sciences, a research proposal, and references. The IMPRS-BAC is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the IMPRS-BAC strives for gender equality and diversity and aims for a balanced composition with respect to gender and regarding national and international candidates. We seek to increase the number of women in areas where they are underrepresented, so we explicitly encourage women to apply. To minimize unconscious bias, we kindly ask you not to include a photo in your CV. 

Please note that you may use artificial intelligence to enhance certain aspects of your application (e.g., language, layout), provided you use it sparingly and with the utmost integrity, in accordance with the principles of good scientific practice. However, using AI to generate content for your motivation letter, CV, or research proposal is not permitted. Your application will be checked for plagiarism and the usage of AI.

You have

• an above-average master's or comparable degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics or any related areas, awarded by October 2026;
• some experience with computational or biological research;
• knowledge in biology or computation with a willingness to gain the other;
• very good written and spoken English;
• a project proposal that aligns with one of our faculty's research interests.

We offer

• cutting-edge research in a variety of areas in biology and computation, with possible specializations in genomic and molecular biology techniques as well as in algorithms, statistics and artificial intelligence for molecular genetics;
• 3 years funding to work on your doctoral project. Up to two additional positions will be funded by a DAAD scholarship „Graduate School Scholarship Programme” (GSSP). 
• a degree from the Freie Universität Berlin;
• excellent structured supervision through a thesis advisory committee;
• a diverse community to exchange ideas with;
• a flexible and challenging curriculum of scientific courses and transferable skills;
• support for attending conferences to present your work;
• an international graduate program in one of Europe's most exciting cities;
• financial support to learn German.

Online Application

For your online application please prepare:

• a letter of motivation. Please describe why you are applying to this program, your scientific interests and why you want to do a doctorate (see FAQ Application process and documents)
• names of up to five potential supervisors at IMPRS-BAC you would like to work with (see FAQ Application process and documents)
• a formal CV. We kindly ask you not to include a photo in your CV.
• your certificates and transcripts of records in German or English. You should gain your degree before October 2026. 
• the contact details of two willing referees for references. Please provide institutional email addresses (see FAQ Referees and references)
• a research proposal best based on the project proposals (see FAQ Application process and documents)

The registration portal is hosted on the website of the Dahlem Research School | Freie Universität Berlin. Once you click on the "Apply now" button, you will first have to register on this website by entering your first name, last name and email address. You can also find data protection information. You will then receive an email from support@drs.fu-berlin.de with a link to create a password. Please also check your spam folder. You will then be able to access the application form itself. Keep this email since it contains the link to edit your application. 

There is no application fee.

Please check our FAQ. 

Timeline

• The deadline for candidates to submit written applications is January 7^th, 2026 (18:00 CET). 
• The deadline for referees to submit reference letters is January 14^th, 2026 (18:00 CET).
• All candidates will be informed of the status of their application by the end of January 2026. 
• First round of admission: Longlisted candidates will be asked to upload a video presentation describing a research project in which they were involved. The deadline for uploading this presentation is February 9^th,  2026 (23:59 CET). Online Q&A sessions (15 minutes per candidate) with our selection committee about the uploaded presentation will take place from February 23^rd to February 26^th, 2026.
• Second round of admission: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to Berlin from March 23^rd to March 25^th, 2026 for personal interviews with our recruiting faculty members, a journal club-like paper discussion, lab tours, and meetings with our current doctoral candidates. If visa restrictions make it impossible for you to travel, participation via video call will be possible. Travel costs (up to a given upper limit) and accommodation costs will be covered by the IMPRS.
• Candidates will be assessed based on their performance throughout the selection process. Decisions on acceptance will be communicated in April 2026. Accepted candidates will then have two weeks to accept or decline the offer. Candidates who are accepted can start their doctorate between May and November 2026, in agreement with their supervisor, so that they can all attend the Welcome Week for new doctoral candidates in November 2026.

For additional inquiries, please check the application FAQ and feel free to contact the PhD coordinator.