The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) in Germany is a joint venture of the University of Cologne Excellence Cluster on Stress Responses in Aging- Associated Diseases (CECAD), the University Hospital Cologne, the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research. Cologne has emerged as a leading global research cluster with a stellar constellation of institutes and scientists dedicated to ageing research in Life Sciences. We offer up to 12 fully-funded PhD positions to highly motivated and talented students. The structured PhD training programme within a cutting-edge research environment will start on an individual basis between July 1 and October 1, 2021. The initial contract is limited to three years. Payment is based on the German TV-L E13 scale, 65% if terms and conditions under collective bargaining law are fulfilled or on an equivalently remunerated PhD support contract of the Max Planck Society.

We offer
• An outstanding international research environment at the most prestigious ageing research cluster in Europe
• Excellent infrastructure for training and research by internationally recognized scientists in facilities with state-of-the-art technologies
• PhD projects that can be carried out in up to 40 participating research groups of the above-mentioned institutes
• An interdisciplinary and structured PhD programme in the vibrant city of Cologne, Germany, completely conducted in English
• An individual 3-year career mentoring programme, extensive methods courses and soft skill workshops
• Intensive support and guidance for international students in all administrative matters

We are looking for
• Highly qualified and motivated students holding an M.Sc. or equivalent degree in Cell/Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Translational Medicine or a related field
• A new generation of biomedical scientists who are eager to make fundamental scientific discoveries in the basic biology of ageing and may translate them into improvements in health and life for people as they grow older

REQUIREMENTS
Our international and interdisciplinary faculty offers positions in the areas of cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, bioengineering, pharmacology, neuroscience medical biology, translated medicine or related fields. We invite applicants with a Master’s or equivalent degree of the above mentioned or related fields. Applicants with a degree in medicine are equally welcome to apply provided they have sufficient relevant research experience. Furthermore, candidates require excellent written and spoken English skills (C1 level).

APPLICATION
online submission:
Only complete applications submitted via our online application portal will be accepted and further processed. Please note that it is not possible to change your data after submission. The completed form will not be sent back to you, therefore please take screenshots for your own records before submitting it. Make sure your email address and the contact details of your referees are correct. If you should not receive a confirmation email with your registration code within an hour after submitting the application, please check your spam filter.

host laboratories:
Carefully check the available host laboratories. In the application form, tick 3 laboratories, which you consider for 3-hour visits in case you should be invited to the on-site recruitment week in Cologne, Germany. Please note that these laboratories cannot be changed once submitted. During the recruitment process, it will be possible to choose up to 2 further laboratories for visits.

documents:
Start compiling your documents (CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) and approach possible referees early. Allow your 2 referees sufficient time to compose their letters of recommendations. Enable Java and JavaScript for submitting your data.

referees:
After submitting the application form, the referees will automatically receive an email linking them to the letter of recommendation form. You can see the submission status of the recommendation letters in your application profile. It is your responsibility to contact your referees and make sure that they submit the form until the indicated deadline at the latest. Reference letters received after this date will not be taken into consideration. It is not possible that applicants submit the letters of recommendation on behalf of the referees.

APPLICATION PERIOD
The application call for classes starting between July and October 2020 has ended on November 17, 2019. The online application platform is now closed. The application call for classes starting between July and October 2021 will open on September 1, 2020.