Application

We are looking for outstanding graduates from all over the world and are delighted to provide them with the best possible conditions for their scientific careers. The graduate program IMPRS for Biology and Computation (IMPRS-BAC) provides an interdisciplinary education for doctoral candidates at the interface of molecular life sciences and computational sciences. This is based on perspective and supervision from both ends - experimental and computational - and suits graduates with degrees in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics or any related areas. If you have a passion for epigenetics, bioinformatics, developmental biology, mathematics, sequence analysis, gene regulation, RNA biology, mechanobiology, protein biochemistry, stem cells and differentiation, statistics, molecular evolution or biophysics and want to work at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics or the Freie Universität Berlin - this is the doctoral program for you!

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. 

You have

• an above-average master's or comparable degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics or any related areas, awarded by October 2025;
• 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 matches one of our PI'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 2025. 
• 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, 2025 (18:00 CET). 
• The deadline for referees to submit reference letters is January 14^th, 2025 (18:00 CET).
• All candidates will be informed of the status of their application by the end of January 2025. 
• First round of admission: Long-listed candidates will be asked to upload a video presentation describing a research project they were involved in. The deadline for upload is February 9^th,  2025 (23:59 CET). Online Q&A sessions (15 minutes per candidate) will take place on February 20^th, 21^st, 24^th and 25^th, 2025 with our selection committee about the uploaded presentation.
• Second round of admission: Short-listed candidates will be invited to Berlin from March 24^th to 26^th, 2025  for personal interviews with our recruiting faculty members, a journal club-like paper discussion, lab tours and meetings with our current doctoral candidates. If the pandemic or visa restrictions make it impossible for you to travel, participation via video call is possible. Traveling and accommodation costs are covered by the IMPRS.
• Candidates will be assessed based on their performance throughout the selection process. Acceptance decisions should be communicated in April 2025. Accepted candidates will be given two weeks to accept or decline the offer. Accepted candidates can start their doctorate between April and November 2025, in agreement with their supervisor, so that they can all attend the Welcome Week for new doctoral candidates in November 2025. 

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