Job Description

The International Max Planck School for Molecules of Life (IMPRS-ML) is a center of excellence for the training of doctoral researchers in the area of biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, systems biology and computational biology.

For more information please visit the IMPRS-ML website.

How can I apply to the IMPRS-ML?

Six steps to a successful submission

The application process to the IMPRS-ML PhD program has six-steps:

1. Check whether you are eligible to apply to our PhD program (more)
2. Register on our online application portal between 25 August and 07 October 2025
3. Log in to the online application portal and invite two referees to submit a letter of recommendation
4. Fill out the application form
5. Upload all required documents (more)
6. Submit your application no later than 07 October 2025

Please note:

• As soon as a referee submits a letter of recommendation, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
• Applications can only be submitted after both letters of recommendation have been uploaded!
• You will receive a confirmation e-mail once your application has been submitted successfully.
• We can only accept complete applications submitted through our online application portal.
• We are unable to accept applications sent to the Coordination Office via postal services or e-mail.

Should you have any questions whilst filling in your application, please visit our FAQs or send an e-mail to the IMPRS-ML Coordination Office.

Who is recruiting in this year’s application round?

Please have a look at the list of faculty members who are planning to recruit a student in this year’s application round. In the application form, you will be asked to name up to five faculty members from the list that you find the most interesting.

Application timeline – 2025/2026

• Online application portal opens on 25 August 2025 (07:00 CET)
• Closing date for submission of reference letters and your application is 07 October 2025 (23:59 CET)
• Online panel interviews will be held on 17-21 November 2025
• Successful candidates will be invited to Munich for in-person interviews and matchmaking on 19-23 January 2026 (IMPRS-ML will reimburse travel expenses and accommodation costs)
• Letters of acceptance sent out by early February 2026
• Accepted candidates should start their PhD no later than 01 October 2026

*Applications can only be submitted with two reference letters.

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Eligibility

Eligibility criteria: Which degrees are accepted?

Minimum average grade for enrolment at a German university

For enrolment at a German university, the minimum average grade (BSc + MSc) required is between 1 – 2.5 based on the German system (1 = highest grade, 5 = lowest grade).

Candidates can convert their grades earned in countries other than Germany using the Grade Conversition Tool based on the “Bavarian Formula”. Please note that this tool is only intended to provide a first orientation and the results are in no way binding.

Entry with an MSc degree

Entry level for doctoral studies at IMPRS-ML usually is a Master of Science degree or an equivalent degree. Most applicants either have a combination of BSc and MSc (with a total equivalent of 300 ECTS credits) or a 5-year integrated MSc. Candidates are invited to apply with any academic background relevant to the multidisciplinary research of our IMPRS-ML Faculty, including but not limited to Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics.

Entry with a 4-years BSc hons (or equivalent degree)

EU degrees: Candidates with a 4-year first class BSc hons degree awarded by a university inside the European Bologna System (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits) are eligible to apply.

UK/Australia/Canada degrees: Candidates with a 4-year first class BSc hons or MSci degree (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits) from the UK, Australia or Canada are eligible to apply.

Depending on the specifics of your curriculum and your academic background, you may be assigned an additional courseload of 15 to 60 ECTS credits by the Munich universities. You will have to fulfill these additional course requirements during your doctoral studies. Some university departments will also ask you to take a qualifier examination in the first year of doctoral studies.

Candidates with degrees outside the European Bologna System (incl. Turkey): Candidates with only a 4-year BSc degree awarded by universities outside the European Bologna System are not eligible to apply. This includes BSc degrees awarded by universities from USA, Asia, Africa and Turkey.

Medical degrees

Candidates with a medical degree, such as an MBBS or MD degree, and medical students from Germany and abroad are not eligible to apply to our PhD program. We recommend applying to specific MD/PhD programs instead.

Likewise, candidates with a degree in veterinary medicine are not eligible to apply.

Recognising international degrees

Please keep in mind that your university needs to be recognised by the German authorities. This is the case for most European public and state universities and only very few private universities may not be recognised. If you apply from overseas, we recommend to visit the governmental Anabin website that allows you to check whether your university and your degree program are recognised in Germany.

A full assessment regarding eligibility is only possible after submission of a complete application and typically requires the approval of university officials.

It is not necessary to already hold the relevant degree at the point of application. However, accepted candidates need to hold their degree prior to starting their doctoral studies and enrolment at IMPRS-ML.

Should you have questions regarding eligibility that cannot be answered in this section, please get in touch with the IMPRS-ML Coordination Office.

Requirements

Which documents do I have to provide?

1. Online application form

The online application form allows you to enter all required information and to upload corresponding documents (see below). You may save, revisit and modify your application at any time prior to final submission. Please keep in mind that your application can only be submitted once both letters of recommendation have been submitted before the application deadline.

After submission, you will no longer be able to edit your application. However, you will still be able to change account settings (name, password and e-mail). Your submitted data will be available to view throughout the application process. In addition, you can download a summary PDF file of your application (without the letters of recommendation).

2. Documents

Required documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (PDF file, max. 2-3 pages, written in English)
• Two letters of recommendation (more details below)
• Completed degrees: Transcript (record of study) and degree certificate for all completed degrees. If provided by the university, please also upload the supplementary information
• Currently enroled degrees: Temporary/provisional transcripts for degree programs, you are currently enroled in

Recommend additional documents:

• Certificate of proficiency in English (unless you are a native English speaker, see details below)
• Information about relevant scholarships, prizes and awards you have received during your academic education (if applicable)
• A GRE general test: We particularly recommend a GRE general test if you studied outside the EU. For applicants from India, we also accept GATE as an alternative.
• Copy of passport (specifically recommended if you are an international candidate not residing in the EU)
• It is also possible to upload a portrait picture in your account, that will be displayed in your application file should you wish to do so

Accepted file formats:

The following file types are accepted: pdf, jpg and png. Uploads have a size restriction of 4 MB each. We recommend that you scan documents with 300dpi. If a document consists of more than one page, please combine these pages into a single PDF document. If you do not have a pdf converter (such as Adobe Acrobat Professional) installed on your computer, please use any online PDF converter (for example the free online2PDF.com or PDF24).

Translation of documents: All required documents must be either in English or in German or have to be translated into one of these languages by a certified translator or university officials. If documents are translated, please submit a scan of the original document and the translation.

For all recommended documents non-certified translations are sufficient.

3. Letters of recommendation

Applicants need to name and invite two referees through the online application portal, who can assess their potential as a doctoral candidate. Referees should be senior researchers who are familiar with your academic work and able to provide a detailed evaluation. Ideally, one of these referees should be your BSc/MSc thesis advisor.

We recommend that you personally contact your referees before triggering the e-mail invitations. Please keep in mind that you cannot submit your application without prior submission of two letters of recommendation. Incomplete and unsubmitted applications cannot be processed any further. It is in your interest, to ensure that the referees submit the letters of recommendation before the deadline to also give you enough time to submit the online application form.

4. Language skills requirements

Successful applicants need to be fluent in written and spoken English and, unless native speakers, should document their proficiency in English. Ideally, this can be achieved with a TOEFL report, an IELTS report or a Cambridge ESOL certificate (equivalent language tests are also accepted).

If an English proficiency test cannot be provided, applicants should describe their English skills in the application form and explain why they think their English skills are sufficient to successfully complete doctoral studies at IMPRS-ML. In that case it is helpful, if your academic training was in English or if you spend extended periods of time in an English speaking country.

Minimal scores:
We expect language proficiency test scores that are at or above the listed minimal scores in all subsections

TOEFL iBT
Minimal score overall: 80
Reading: 20, Listening: 20, Speaking: 20, Writing: 20

IELTS
Minimal band score overall: 6.5
Reading: 6.5, Listening: 6.5, Speaking: 6.5, Writing: 6.5

CEFR levels (Cambridge ESOL) (details see here)
Minimal score overall: upper B2 (175-179) or higher (C1 or C2)

German language skills are not required, however, interested international doctoral students are invited to take German language courses funded by IMPRS-ML.

Selection Process

How does the selection process work?

In order to identify the most promising candidates, faculty members of the research school and the Coordination Office participate in a multistep selection procedure as outlined below. In general, applicants will be evaluated based on their academic qualification, aptitude for research, achievements, motivation, scientific background and the letters of recommendation.

1. First round of selection

Complete applications will be reviewed after the application deadline and a first selection will be made. During the first and second review process, we may give you a call or arrange an online interview to further discuss your application, your interests and your future plans.

2. Second round of selection

Applicants who have sucessfully passed the first round of selection will be reviewed thoroughly and independently by three faculty members of the research school. Your application will likely be reviewed by faculty members that you have listed in your preference list or by faculty members working in your favorite research field.

3. Subsequent selection steps

The most promising candidates will be invited to participate in subsequent seletion steps:

• Invited candidates will have an online panel interview with the selection committee (in November).
• Candidates who have sucessfully passed the online panel interview will be invited for individual on-site interviews with faculty members of the research school (i.e. potential supervisors) in Munich (in January) including lab visits. IMPRS-ML will cover travel expenses and accommodation for the trip to Munich.

To get accepted to the school candidates need to

• perform well in the panel interview and
• establish a match with a supervisor who will offer the candidate a position in their group

4. Final decision

The selection committee will finally approve the established matches between candidates and supervisors and will accept those candidates to the IMPRS-ML. Accepted students may start their research project anytime between 01 March and 01 October (with prior consultation of the supervisor). Official start of the program is 01 October each year.

5. Verification of international degrees

Academic degrees issued in foreign countries will have to be approved by the admissions and registration office of the university that will award the doctoral degree (either Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) or Technische Universität München (TUM). The Coordination Office will assist accepted students in these procedures.

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