Apply for our PhD Program
Which degrees are recognised?
Applicants are required to hold (or obtain within 4 months of the onsite interview week) a university degree equivalent to a Master Degree (MSc), including a research thesis, in biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or some related field. If you have obtained your MSc degree outside of Germany, a German state authority, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), will need to confirm the recognition of foreign educational qualifications ("Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications”).
Can I apply before finishing my master studies?
At the time of application, you do not have to have finished your degree. However, students are asked to start their research project within 4 months of the onsite interviews, by which time you should anticipate to hold your degree.
I have a medical degree (MD). Am I eligible?
Yes, you are welcome to apply, as long as you have some relevant research experience.
I have a degree in Public Health? Am I eligible?
If your master (or equivalent) program required a research project thesis to complete the program, AND you do have some relevant research experience in biology, biotechnology, medicine, molecular medicine, chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or some related field, you are eligible to apply. However, please note that the MDC is a research center, with a focus on basic biomedical research, and available projects are mostly not compatible with a Public Health background.
My degree is from a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule). Can I apply?
Yes, the graduates from the universities of applied sciences are welcome to apply if their university program required a research project thesis to complete the program, and they have relevant research experience.
I only have a BSc, but a lot of research experience. Can I apply?
Unfortunately, neither a BSc degree alone, even of a 4-year-long program, nor additional experience represent an equivalent to the Master degree, thus you are not eligible.
I already have a PhD. Can I apply for another?
If you already hold a PhD degree, you are not eligible to apply.
Am I allowed to apply twice / again?
If you were not shortlisted for the online interviews, you are allowed to apply again. However, if you have already participated in the online interviews, you are not eligible to apply again.
Does the program have language requirements and what is the program language?
The program language is English, therefore proficiency in English is a must. For your application, proof of English knowledge is recommended, but not mandatory!
Is there an age limit?
No, there is no age limit. However, please note that you should have obtained your MSc degree (or equivalent) degree not more than four years prior to the interviews.
Please note: If you have had a career break due to parental leave lasting more than 6 months since your graduation, the time spent on parental leave may be deducted from the total years since your graduation, extending the 4-year period accordingly.
Where and when can I apply?
Applications for the Int. PhD Program are accepted through the online Application portal only. The portal opens twice a year, usually around May for Fall recruitment and in November for Spring recruitment. Exact dates and application details are indicated here.
Where can I find the list of available projects?
After registration, the list of group leaders participating in a call and detailed description of their respective research projects can be found under the "Participating Group Leaders" tab in the Application portal. For more information on the participating project leaders, please visit the profile pages of our research labs.
Do I need to select a specific project immediately?
You are not applying for a specific project at this stage, however, make sure to include all the labs and projects of your interest in the text of your application (“Research and Motivation” section), with detailed statement of interest for each research lab.
Can I save the data of my application and resume, completing it later?
Yes, you can save your application and take up editing again later. Once you have submitted your application, no more changes can be made.
What information has to be submitted with the application?
You will submit information on education, research skills and interests, a letter of motivation and contacts of 2 referees. In the document section, you are asked to upload a CV, university transcripts and certificates, and if available, the certificate of an English language test. English language tests, GRE, etc are not mandatory at this stage. For non-German MSc degrees, ZAB documentation / ANABIN certificates should be uploaded, if available. For details, visit the application manual.
What happens if I cannot provide any English language certificates?
Proof of English language knowledge is not obligatory but rather optional. If you do not have such documents, your application will still be valid.
Do I need to have my certificates available in English?
All documents should be available in German or English. If you do not have an English version issued by your university, a translation certified by a public notary or other official will be sufficient.
My PDF files are too big. What can I do?
You will have to reduce their sizes. There are several online free tools that can easily reduce the size of your PDF files, for example:
Please make sure you understand their privacy policy before using any of these third-party services.
How many recommendation letters do I need to have and can I send the PDFs (scans) directly?
You will need recommendation from two referees. We recommend choosing referees that know you personally and are willing and able to write a description of your academic performance. As soon as you have completed the contact details, your referees will automatically receive a request for a letter of recommendation and they should submit their letters directly using a link they receive in the e-mail. Thus, you should not send the PDFs of the recommendation letters directly to us.
My referee did not receive an invitation from the MDC to send a recommendation letter, what should I do?
Firstly, please make sure you entered the correct e-mail address of your referee. Secondly, your referee should check their spam mailbox to make sure the invitation letter did not end up there. If you entered the wrong address or the letter simply did not arrive, contact us immediately at phdmdc@mdc-berlin.de
Will I receive a confirmation after having registered and submitted my application?
Yes, after having registered you will receive a confirmation email to the mail address stated. After you have submitted your application you will again receive a confirmation. If you did not receive any confirmation email, most likely our email ended up in the spam or junk folder. If you cannot find your confirmation email there, you might have misspelled your email address during registration. In that case, simply fill in the registration form again. If you still do not receive your registration email, please contact the graduate school office phdmdc@mdc-berlin.de.
What happens after submission?
Applications are prescreened and the MDC faculty selects candidates for the first step of the recruitment process, online interviews. Invitations for online interviews will be sent about 5-6 weeks after the application deadline.
How can I check the status of my application?
Once you have submitted the form, you will no longer be able to edit the information, however, you can check the status of your recommendation letters, using the colour code of the box. The symbol on the left will change from an orange envelope to a green "check mark" after your referees have submitted their letters. Other information about changes in the status of your application (submission, invitation / rejection decision) will be communicated via e-mail.
How and when will I hear about the outcome of my application?
Students who submitted a complete application will be informed by email. Students shortlisted for online interviews will be informed about the result 5-6 weeks after the application deadline. All other candidates will be informed shortly after.
What happens during the online interviews?
Online interviews, held via videoconference platform, consist of of a welcome session, group leader presentation session, panel interviews and Q&A sessions with Grad Office, PhD Reps, and other interested PhD students and faculty members.
Applicants participate in a 30-mins panel interview, including discussion on pre-recorded applicant's presentation, discussion on pre-selected scientific publication and general discussion. Candidates receive scores based on their maturity and knowledge of the field, general knowledge, ability to express motivation for the PhD program, and clear interest in a specific research direction.
How should I present my research project?
Candidates present their research project (usually master research project or other longer project they participated in during their studies) in form of a pre-recorded presentation. Presentations will be stored in the application portal and available to all group leaders for viewing before the start of online interviews.
Panel members will watch the pre-recorded candidate presentations before the start of online interviews and prepare questions for the short presentation discussion.
How should I prepare for the online interviews?
You will receive all the instructions and technical details about the videoconference platform used for online interviews well in advance. The most important thing is to get familiar with the videoconference system, and get comfortable with its functions and features, such as navigation between rooms or screen sharing. Second important point is to make sure your internet connection is fast enough to support this kind of activity. Here, it is better to use the ethernet cable connection instead of WiFi. Please check the settings and quality of both audio and video features. If your home internet connection is not fast enough, you should find a suitable alternative, such as using resources at your university or public library. If possible, you should also prepare a second screen, since this eases videoconference participation.
What if problems with the videoconference system arise during my online interviews?
We will prepare more than one videoconference platform for you to use, and backup communication channels will be available.
When do I know whether I have been accepted to the program?
Acceptance letters are sent within 7-10 days after interviews.
When can I start my PhD?
Students have to start their research project within 4 months of the onsite interviews at the MDC. In general, PhD students will agree with his or her prospective supervisor on a specific starting date.
How do I enroll at the university?
Upon your start at the MDC, the MDC Grad School Office will lead you through the process of the enrolment. Most students at MDC are enrolled at the local partner universities Charité, Humboldt Universität, or Freie Universität. Usually, you will enroll at the institution your prospective group leader is affiliated with.
Are there any tuition fees?
There are no MDC Grad School tuition fees, however, after enrolling at the university you shall pay the semester fees of ca. 300 - 320 Euro, including public transportation ticket.
How will I finance my PhD studies?
PhD students receive a work contract according to the German public system, including health and social insurance, as well as pension scheme. The initial contract is for 3 years and the net salary amounts to about 1,800 Euro per month.
Is there support upon arriving in Berlin?
The Welcome and family office at the MDC supports all students upon arriving in their first steps settling in Berlin, including all issues related to VISA and residence.
How long does it take PhD students to complete their PhD?
Students are expected to complete their degree in four years.