APPLICATIONS Our Graduate school is very international and characterized by outstanding ageing research, excellent supervision, early independence in research and state-of-art facilities. We are dedicated to providing first-class conditions for young scientists in a highly attractive and inspiring environment and our competitive PhD programme will provide you a world-class starting platform for a successful career in science.
This is a highly selective programme and outstanding university graduates who wish to work towards a PhD in the fields of ageing and age-related diseases are welcome to become part of our graduate school and the vibrant and international research scene in the Cologne/Bonn area.
DEADLINES
Advance Your Career with a Doctoral Degree from the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research. Apply now! read more
The online application for our 15 fellowships starting October 2015 is now available.
The application deadline is December 17, 2014.
REQUIREMENTS
We invite applications from all countries. Applicants with a Diploma or Master´s or equivalent degree in biology or a related field can apply. We also accept applicants with a degree in medicine provided they have sufficient relevant research experience. Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken English.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
We choose applicants based on their academic qualifications, their research accomplishments and their motivation to study at our Graduate School. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a Selection Workshop on site. During the Selection Workshop, candidates give an oral presentation of their previous scientific work and are interviewed by Principal Investigators. The candidates have the opportunity to discuss the programme and research in the various groups with graduate school students and faculty members. Candidates are usually enrolled through the University of Cologne
Apply Online now!
FAQ
HOW DO I APPLY?
We accept only online applications via our online application portal which is open during the application phase alone. Therefore, please read the instructions in the online portal carefully.
Please note that you will not be able to change your data after it has been submitted.
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See Information for Applicants to make sure you are eligible to apply.
Start compiling your documents early. You will need a fair amount of time to gather all required information, and allow your referees sufficient time to write their letters.
Find referees. You will need to ask two referees to write a letter of recommendation for you. You have to name them in your Application form, so you must first ensure that they are willing to provide the recommendation. When you have submitted your Application form, the referees will automatically receive an e-mail linking them to the Letter of Recommendation form. It is your responsibility to contact your referees and make sure they submit the form in due time.
Fill out the Application form and submit supplementary data. Since the system does not allow you to save this form containing your data, and the completed form will not be sent back to you, copy it (e.g. with copy and paste into Word) and save it for your records before submitting it. Save any long texts separately, as they will not be fully displayed in your Word copy.
Look out for the Confirmation E-Mail with your Registration Code to which all later documents must refer. Your spam filter might sort out the confirmation e-mail, so check your spam folder if you do not receive the confirmation e-mail within an hour.
WHICH GROUPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME?
During the on site Selection Workshop in spring we will offer all project proposals available. In principal, all working groups of the four member institutes with projects related to ageing research are involved.
IS IT NECESSARY TO HOLD A MASTER’S OR EQUIVALENT DEGREE AT TIME OF APPLICATION?
Your application is also accepted if the degree has not yet been awarded by the time of application. However, it must be awarded before the programme start in October.
HOW DOES THE SELECTION PROCEDURE WORK?
Applicants are shortlisted based on their academic qualifications, their research accomplishments, and their motivation to study at our Graduate School. We conduct telephone interviews with shortlisted candidates. Successful candidates will be invited to an on site Selection Workshop.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SELECTION WORKSHOP IN COLOGNE?
The candidates briefly present their recent research projects and are interviewed by two different panels. We also conduct a short written exam in which you analyze a scientific publication, provided one week prior to the workshop. In the evening we host a barbecue, where you can meet graduate school students and PIs.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE AT PROGRAMME START?
During the Introductory Module in October participating PIs will present their research work and proposed PhD project. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit each laboratory and meet group members. This will be followed by three laboratory rotations of 1 week each after which the lab and suitable PhD project are mutually agreed upon by the PhD student and PI.
DO I ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THROUGH THE GRADUATE SCHOOL?
All PhD students in the graduate school receive a tax-free scholarship of 1365 € per month.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO AS REFEREE?
You have been asked by an applicant to the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research to write a letter of recommendation? Please refer to the applicant's Registration Code as stated in the e-mail you received from us. Please submit this letter of recommendation in English.
This is a highly selective programme and outstanding university graduates who wish to work towards a PhD in the fields of ageing and age-related diseases are welcome to become part of our graduate school and the vibrant and international research scene in the Cologne/Bonn area.
