By the time you have reached this page, you might be thinking that the DKFZ is the right place for you to do your PhD.
If so, then why not send us your application?
Before you do, please read this page carefully and check the admission requirements for more information. If we are currently accepting applications, you can then proceed to the Online Application System.
Timeline
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There are two selection rounds each year. The next application deadline is on 15 December 2023.
The upcoming PhD Summer Selection will still take place online. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to choose from a list of potential PhD projects and to upload a short video of themselves from 7 to 13 June 2023. Personal interviews with supervisors and panel interviews will take place from 26 June to 14 July 2023.
The deadline for applications for the next Summer Selection is on 15 May 2024.
Online Application
Please apply using our Online Application System, which opens approximately 6-8 weeks before each application deadline.
In the application form, you are asked to provide information about your educational qualifications, honors, skills and interests. A statement of motivation is also required and letters of recommendation from two referees. When filling in the online form, remember to have electronic copies (PDF files of not more than 5MB) of your academic certificates and English language certificate to upload with your application. If you have questions about the online application process, please check the FAQs.
Please don't forget to click the submit button once you have completed the online application form. Your letters of recommendation do NOT already have to be submitted by your referees in order for you to submit your application but they need to be submitted by the application deadline for your application to be considered.
Letters of Recommendation
As part of the online application form, you are asked to provide the names and contact details of two referees. As soon as you have entered the names and contact details of your referees, we will automatically send them an e-mail with a link, requesting that they provide us with their letter of recommendation through our online system.
Please be aware that the deadline for your referees to submit their letters of recommendation is the same as the application deadline. Therefore, you need to make sure that you register with the online system and enter the contact details of your referees in good time, so that they have time to submit their letters before the deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure these letters are provided.
Evaluation Process and Selection
Applications will be evaluated within five weeks after the deadline. We will inform all applicants about the outcome of the evaluation and shortlisted candidates will be invited to the PhD Selection. They will receive access to PhD project proposals to select up to five preferred projects. for which they wish to interview. In addition, candidates will be asked to upload a short video of themselves in which they introduce themselves and summarize their previous research experience. Choosing projects and uploading a video for the Winter Selection will take place from 7 to 13 June 2023.
The interviews usually take place at the DKFZ in Heidelberg about 8-10 weeks after the application deadline and last 3 days. Due to the recent circumstances however, the Summer Selection 2023 will still take place online from 26 June to 14 July 2023. More details will be provided to shortlisted candidates via email and the online application system.
During the interviews, aspects such as intellectual brightness, creativity, perseverance, independent thinking and the ability to work in a team will be evaluated. Candidates of the selection are expected to participate in two online panel interviews of 3 senior scientists where they will be asked to:
- give a short presentation of a recent research project (typically their master's thesis) and answer general questions
- give a short presentation of a publication (selected from a pool of publications provided by the PhD Program Office in due time before the interview phase) and answer general questions
During the interview phase, candidates will receive further information on PhD studies at the DKFZ by the PhD Program Manager, and will have opportunities to talk to lab members of potential PhD supervisors and current DKFZ PhD students.
DKFZ PhD Selection Process
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Re-application
If you have previously submitted an online application for the PhD Program and were NOT invited for interviews, then you are eligible to re-apply. You will need to create a new account in the online system and re-submit all your documents, including the letters of recommendation. It is not possible for you to "re-use" a previous application.
If you have previously submitted an online application for the PhD Program and WERE invited for interviews, but were unable to obtain a position, then you are NOT eligible to re-apply through the online application system. Instead, we encourage you to contact PhD supervisors directly.
Candidates who were invited for online interviews of the Summer Selection 2020 are exempt from this rule and may apply again.
Application from candidates already affiliated with the DKFZ
Candidates who are currently working at or have previously worked at the DKFZ are eligible to apply through the online system. However, they must indicate in the supplementary information that they are working (or have worked) at the DKFZ and provide details.
Candidates who have already secured third-party funding and wish to apply for PhD Program funding may apply providing that they started their PhD no earlier than the application deadline of the previous selection round. Details of their affiliation with the DKFZ must also be clearly stated in their online application.