Application
The IMPRS for Organismal Biology regularly accepts new PhD fellows once a year. We will announce new open PhD projects in November. Application deadline for these positions is January 15. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our Selection Symposium in March. Successful applicants start their PhD projects latest in October. Please, before applying, carefully read our Application Instructions!
Requirements
We invite applications from all countries. Applicants must have graduated from a min. 4-year study program with a comprehensive scientific thesis work in Biology or a related field (this might be a Master's degree or an equivalent degree). It is not necessary to hold the degree at the time of application. However, you must have been awarded your degree prior to the start of the program. The quality of the degrees (i.e. eligibility) will be checked on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates need to be fluent in written and spoken English and - unless native speakers - have to document their proficiency in English (e.g. TOEFL). German is not required, but students from abroad will be offered opportunities to take German courses.
How to Apply
To apply to the IMPRS for Organismal Biology, all required documents have to be sent electronically to the IMPRS office prior to the application deadline. Documents that are not in English or German need to be sent as certified translations. Please note that we accept your application only if you submit all required documents as one pdf-file.
The following documents are required:
- The complete filled-in application form
- A detailed record of study (a list of attended courses and - if applicable - corresponding grades)
- Certificates of relevant university examinations (e.g. Bachelor's and Master's degree). Please, include an explanation of the grading system.
- Applicants who are not native English speakers have to prove their proficiency in English with acceptable results in an internationally recognized test (e.g. TOEFL). Participation in such a test is recommended but not mandatory; language skills can also be demonstrated by proven higher education in English or a reasonably long stay in an English speaking country.
Beside these documents, we need reference letters of two academic teachers who are able to evaluate your personality, academic experience, and intellectual merit. Please use the reference request form. Referees have to send the references directly to the IMPRS office. It is your responsibility to ensure that the reference letters are sent to us by the referees before the deadline.
We will acknowledge the receipt of your application within 5 working days by e-mail after all required documents (including the two reference letters!) reach the IMPRS office, prior to the application deadline. Incomplete applications will result in a rejection of the application.
The Max Planck Society and the University of Konstanz are equal opportunity employers. Applications from women and historically under-represented groups are particularly welcome.
Selection Procedure
The applications are reviewed by all IMPRS for Organismal Biology faculty members. Based on their academic qualification, motivation, suitability for the program, and letters of recommendation, shortlisted applicants are invited to the Selection Symposium.
During the Selection Symposium, the candidates are expected to present their most relevant research project and will meet the IMPRS faculty and students to discuss previous training and research experience, to evaluate future plans, and to learn more about the IMPRS program and ongoing research in the working groups. After the Selection Symposium, the IMPRS Board will select the candidates based on the suggestions of all IMPRS members.
Travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the IMPRS.
