Germany International PhD Program 2009, Tuebingen, Germany

Germany International PhD Program 2009, Tuebingen, Germany:

The International PhD program of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Developmental Biology and the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory (FML) offers outstanding training in a broad spectrum of cutting-edge scientific research. The program provides students an interdisciplinary practical and theoretical training during their PhD research, particularly through common introductory courses, symposia and research seminars.

Subject areas

• Cell Biology

• Developmental Genetics

• Quantitative Genetics

• Evolutionary Biology

• Biochemistry

• Plant Development

• Bioinformatics

• Structural Biology

Duration

The typical duration of a PhD thesis at the MPI for Developmental Biology or the FML is 3 - 4 years. In most cases the PhD degree is conferred by the University of Tübingen.

Funding

The majority of students coming to the institutes are funded by Max Planck Scholarships, which are initially awarded for a period of two years, with a common extension to a third year. In the fourth year, students are funded by the individual labs through other sources. Furthermore, students are encouraged to compete for scholarships from other funding agencies.
There are no tuition fees associated with a PhD at the MPI for Developmental Biology or at the FML.

Language

The official language at the MPI / FML is English. All seminars, including lab meetings, are held in English. German language courses are offered for foreign students, and are partially funded by the institute.
The thesis can be submitted in either German or English language.

Application requirements

1. Highly qualified applicants from all countries are invited to apply
2. PhDs are normally awarded by the University of Tuebingen. The entry requirement for enrollment as a PhD student at the University of Tuebingen is a Diploma or Masters degree. Therefore all applicants must hold or anticipate to receive a Diploma or Masters degree by the time of their start as a PhD student in our institutes.
   Exceptional cases:
   A) An applicant demonstrates arrangements with a degree awarding institution that accepts a Bachelors degree for the enrollment as a PhD student.
   B) Candidates wishing to enter the program with a BSc degree have to obtain their Masters grade at the university of Tuebingen. This will demand at least a further year of studies.
   For detailed information according to your degree please contact the PhD office in advance.
3. Should the gap between your Diploma or Masters degree and your application be greater than 3 years please explain the circumstances in the application form.
4. Non European applicants require a GRE^® - Graduate Record Examinations - score. A copy of your scores will be sufficient, we do not demand an original designated score.
   We consider European applicants those coming from the countries belonging to the European Union, in addition to: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.
5. Application form. You should complete the available application form, but please do not exceed the space given, thank you!
   Application forms can be downloaded as a word or pdf file. For the upload to our database the application form has to be in pdf format!
   To access the application form click here.
   Click here for a pdf free online converter.
6. Evaluation forms. In order to process your application, we require two evaluation forms by scientists who are familiar with your academic work. Please download the evaluation form and forward it to your referees. They should send the completed form directly to us preferably by e-mail. It is your responsibility to ensure that the referees write to us within the deadline, January 16, 2009. Applications without two letters of recommendation will not be considered.
   To access the evaluation form click here.
7. Additional documents, certificates
   In addition to the application form and the letters of recommendation, we require:
   • Copy of your high school diploma with grades
   • Copy of your diploma or masters certificate and the translation into English if not originally in English, German or French
   • Copy of your certificates obtained for coursework, including grades
   • Copy of other major certificate(s) by your university (if applicable) Copy of GRE (non european applicants/ if available for european applicants) or TOEFL (if available)
   • Copy of passport
     Please scan these documents and upload them as one pdf file not exceeding more than 20 MB together with your application onto our web registration portal! Please avoid to send more than 10 pages per pdf in total!
     Click here for a pdf free online converter
8. Research Interests
   When registering online, please select up to 3 PhD projects, which are offered by the work group leaders of our institutes as indicated on our web page Spring 2009 Participating Groups. You should choose those which seem to be most interesting for you. If you should be invited for an interview, you will be asked again, with whom you want to work with, therefore your preselection can be changed.
   
9. Interviews and PhD Start
   Completed applications will be reviewed by a committee of group leaders. Short-listed candidates will be invited for a three-day period of interviews and information exchange.
   The interviews will take place from March 11-13, 2009. Travel expenses are reimbursed, free accommodation is provided.
   Offers of admission will be made to the successful candidates shortly after the interview period. Successful candidates have to start their PhD studies within half a year from acceptance i.e. from March 2009 until September 2009 latest!

Application Deadlines

The deadline for the receipt of completed applications for the spring 2009 selection is January 16, 2009.

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