DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowships
Although there are other ways of becoming a Postdoc at our research center, the DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowships represent the most prestigious and competitive Postdoc recruitment process at the DKFZ. It is intended to recruit highly talented and motivated young scientists, who wish to work at the forefront of cancer research in any of the basic or translational cancer research labs at the DKFZ.
This program offers up to 7 fellowships per year and provides interdisciplinary training and research opportunities in state-of-the-art research facilities for excellent young scientists, no longer than 2 years past graduation, with a background in biology as well as in physics, mathematics, bioinformatics, epidemiology and other research fields.
What the DKFZ International Postdoc Fellowship has to offer
Funding and Duration
DKFZ Postdoc salaries are competitive by national standards and are negotiated and confirmed during the recruitment phase should a fellowship be offered.
The fellowships are initially offered for a duration of two years.
What you need to know about the application process
- A qualification equivalent to a PhD or MD-PhD is a prerequisite for all applications.
- Candidates should document their successful previous research endeavors with publications.
- The candidates should be at an early stage of their career, having held a PhD (or MD-PhD) for no longer than 2 years.
- Candidates who submit their thesis before November of the running year are eligible to apply. The expected defense date must be included in the motivation letter.
- The fellowship is not open for internal candidates, unless they have been recruited to the DKFZ not longer than 6 months before the application deadline.
The most important selection criterion is academic quality, demonstrated by outstanding publications.
Other criteria that will be considered during the selection process include research prizes and awards, demonstration of mobility, or successful application for research funding.
Although it is not mandatory that applicants contact a research group before applying, showing a clear idea about the future research focus is of great advantage. Here is a non-exhaustive list of research projects that one can apply to.
In order to prepare your application please make sure to compile all the required information in one single PDF document which you need to upload during the online application process:
- One-page motivation letter (incl. a statement of your research interests)*
- List of preferred DKFZ labs/projects (see the research profiles tab)
- Curriculum vitae (incl. list of publications)
- Copy of degree certificates (MD, PhD, Bachelor and Master certificates, originals, transcripts, and translations if applicable)
- Exactly two letters of recommendation
Please note that applications need to be submitted in English.
Candidates are encouraged to contact division heads and group leaders at the DKFZ Heidelberg before application to discuss potential projects.
*Imporant Note: When applying for the DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowship your motivation letter is a critical component of your application. It should effectively convey your passion for cancer research by addressing the underlying scientific question that inspires you. Additionally, your letter should highlight your academic and research background, as well as your potential contributions to DKFZ by explaining how you will enrich their research environment. Furthermore, please explain why you want to pursue a postdoctoral position and why you are specifically interested in joining the DKFZ International Postdoc Program.
The selection procedure for the DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowship is composed of multiple steps which are highlighted below.
Selection Process
STEP 1:
- All application documents submitted will be evaluated by the Postdoc Selection Committee during a competitive selection process.
- We will then invite shortlisted candidates who have successfully passed this first selection step for a visit to the DKFZ in Heidelberg. Letters of invitation will be provided for VISA application if necessary.
Step 2:
- About 8-10 weeks after the application deadline, a three day DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowship Selection Symposium will be held in Heidelberg. Online participation is possible if you're not able to attend in person.
- Applicants will have the opportunity to meet with individual division heads and research group leaders to discuss about potential research projects.
- On the second day all candidates will meet with members of the Postdoc Selection Committee to give a 15-minute presentation about their recent work which will be followed by a short discussion.
Step 3:
- Applicants will be informed about the outcome of the selection process shortly after the symposium.
- Start dates for fellowships will be mutually agreed after acceptance of the offered fellowship contract. Normally, fellowship positions should be filled within 6 months after the fellowship has been awarded.
FAQ - DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowships
The call opens every year around July.
The deadline for applications is every year on the 15th of September.
All the research groups that are actively looking for a fellow are sharing their research profiles here. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you're interested in other research groups, please feel free to contact them and include them in your application. If you're in contact with a group that hasn't uploaded a research profile please ask them to contact us at the DKFZ Postdoc Office.
An overview of all research groups at the DKFZ can be found here.
Please click here for detailed information and required documents. Please note that all applications need to be made via our online application system. Applications made via e-mail will not be considered.
Please click here for detailed information.
You are eligible to apply if you submit your thesis till October 31.
Please click here for detailed information.
The DKFZ Postdoctoral Fellowship Symposium will take place in November at the DKFZ in Heidelberg. Online participation is possible if you're not able to attend in person.
It is not mandatory to contact group leaders before applying. However we encourage you to consider contacting them to be well informed about the projects available. Please keep in mind that if you get selected for the in-person interviews (Step 2) you will have to contact them.