Where can I apply?

Applicate ONLY on the DRS application platform (https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/user/register?field_i_want_to_apply_for=732)

Please note: you have to register yourself at the application platform and create your own account before you can apply.

After starting the application process, you may go for a coffee and come back later for completing the application. It is safed in your profile.

You can apply until October 30, 2025 (application deadline).

Please make sure that you have the following material/information with you:

• CV (PDF-file)
• Letter of motivation (PDF-file)
• College/university career (including certificates, abstracts of your theses etc.)
• High school career (including certificate)
• Language proficiency (if available including English test certificate)
• if available working experiences (including companies and publication list)
• Name/address of two external referees for a letter of reference (please note: we will send an e-mail to your referees [sending address: grk3096@vetmed.fu-berlin.de] who will upload their letters of reference directly to our application platform, please don’t upload letters of reference yourself). We highly recommend that you inform your referees BEFORE you apply.

Please note: Certificates and other material can only be uploaded as PDF-files!

Almost none. If you are invited to the assessment center in January 2026 in Berlin, you will not have to pay for travel, accommodation or most of the food. However, on some days you need to cover costs for food (calculate something like 70 EUR).

Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to cover costs related to obtaining a visa

In total, we offer 9 positions in projects for a doctoral researcher. We make our decision based on the quality of the applications. As a rough estimate, we can tell you that we usually receive at least two to three hundred applications that result in about 20 to 22 invitations to Berlin.

Applicants must hold a German Master (M.Sc.), a German Diploma OR an equivalent international degree in biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, veterinary medicine, life sciences or other related subjects. It is NOT necessary to hold the degree at the time of your application, but you will need it when you begin to work with us (April 1, 2026). If you have an M.D. with only clinical qualifications, we cannot consider your application.

If you fulfil these criteria, you are eligible to apply. If you hold an M.D., DVM or other related degrees that do not fall into this scheme, you will likely need extensive laboratory skills, epidemiological experience or bioinformatics knowledge for us to consider your application. Our recommendation is always to go for an application if in doubt! Please accept our sincere apologies that we cannot analyse individual situations at this stage.

Of course not! RTG 3096 is an international doctoral program. We happily accept applications from any country in the world. However, please try to help us understand your education / academic achievements / your country’s grading system.

We will try to keep you up to date about the application process via our webpage. Invitations for the assessment center in Berlin will be sent to selected candidates in November.

We will automatically send an e-mail to the referees you named in the application. The referees will upload their letter of reference directly to the application platform. Please DON’T upload letters of reference yourself.

No - submission of reference letters is only possible until 4 days (November 3) after the application deadline. If your referee cannot manage to provide the letter of reference within this timeframe, we cannot include them in your application.

Yes. Though you still have time to acquire an English test certificate, it is not obligatory. During the Assessment Center, you need to give a talk, and you have panel and individual interviews, all in English language.

Yes, you can. If you are accepted for a doctoral researcher position, be aware that university rules and regulations might demand attending German classes during your time as a doctoral researcher in Berlin.

The assessment center (AC) will take place from January 19-21, 2026, in Berlin / Germany.

It will be in English language only.

Your accommodation here in Berlin (Hotel Motel One Berlin-Bellevue) is booked for four nights (Arrival: January 18, 2026; Departure: January 22, 2026).

If invited, you will give a short talk (7 min.) about your previous scientific work. In addition, you will have panel and individual interviews with our researchers, lab tours and social evenings.

Please note: There will be a virtual (WebEx) preparation meeting with the RTG's coordinator on December 12, 2025 for all invited candidates. Please block this day! The exact time of this virtual meeting is to be determined and depends on all relevant time zones of the candidates. At this virtual meeting all information concerning the AC, the RTG, and the offered positions will be communicated and all your questions will be answered. For this virtual meeting, you wuld need a computer, WIFI/LAN connection and a browser. You don’t have to download/ install the WebEx software beforehand.

If you accept the offer, you will start on April 1, 2026, with your project as 1^st generation PhD students in RTG 3096. However, to find proper accommodation and to sign the contract etc. you might want to be here a little earlier.

There is no special enrolment fee for PhD students at German universities. However, Berlin universities charge all students with a fee that amounts to roughly € 290 per year. In addition, you have the chance to get hands on a cheap special student public transportation ticket, which costs € 214 per six months right now.

No, no stipend. You will receive a PhD student position financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for 4 years. This includes social security, e.g. health insurance and pension fund. Your salary will easily cover your living costs in Berlin assuming a “student-type” lifestyle.

Clothing: please remember, that it is winter in Germany in January with an average temperature of 1 °C. So, bring warm clothes!

Laptop is optional: you can bring one, but it is not necessary for the assessment center or your talk.