Inspect the current winter call's project descriptions; choose up to five groups actually recruiting.
Open step linkAsk at least two senior scientists in advance. Enter their details at registration; the system sends personal reference links. Ensure at least two letters arrive by the deadline.
Open step linkEnter personal/affiliation/contact details and referee details. Check email, including spam, for the personalised application link.
Open step linkUse the personalised email link. Fill in the English-language form, select up to five current groups, provide the motivation statement and upload required PDFs. Submit by 15 October 2026, 12:00 CEST.
Each referee uses their own emailed link to send a letter before the same deadline; monitor notification emails.
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The International PhD Programme (IPP) in Mainz is accepting applications for its winter 2026/27 call. Recruiting groups at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) and University Medical Center Mainz (UMC) offer projects in molecular and related life sciences. The current Projects Offered page lists 15 projects; participating labs that are not on that page are not recruiting through this call.
The programme covers research spanning ageing and disease, RNA biology, genome stability, epigenetics, computational biology, gene regulation, and proteostasis. Read each current project description before selecting groups. The application closes 15 October 2026 at 12:00 noon CEST.
Who can apply IPP seeks applicants from around the world with a relevant life-sciences research background and strong spoken and written English. Candidates should hold a Master's degree or equivalent, or expect to receive one before enrolment. The FAQ also describes eligibility for graduates with at least four fully credited years of university study (typically 240 ECTS or equivalent), practical research work and a diploma or similar degree; candidates with exceptional grades and only a Bachelor's degree should contact the IPP team. There is no age limit. An English test certificate is not mandatory, though English proficiency is required. Provide details for at least two senior-scientist referees who know your work; at least one should have supervised a research project. Referees must submit at least two letters by the application deadline. Contact them before registration because referee choices cannot be changed after registration.
What the opportunity provides IMB says all IPP PhD projects are fully funded and applicants need not arrange their own project funding. It does not publish a single salary or stipend amount for every project on the reviewed call/FAQ pages. Travel and accommodation for candidates invited to the on-site Mainz interviews are covered, including intercontinental travel. That interview benefit is conditional on invitation; it is not a general relocation or arrival allowance.
Required documents
Selection process and timeline First review the current projects, register online, then use the personalised form link emailed to you. You may select up to five recruiting groups. Submit the English-language form and ensure both reference letters arrive by 15 October 2026, 12:00 noon CEST. Once submitted, the application cannot be edited. Pre-selected applicants present their research online on 9–11 November 2026. Further shortlisted applicants attend on-site Interview Days in Mainz on 18–19 January 2027. Successful candidates are expected to start between February and July 2027. Selection is competitive: the FAQ describes approximately 500 formally eligible applications per call, 20–30 interview invitees and typically 10–12 positions; these are historical programme figures, not a guarantee for this call.
Important conditions Registration alone is not a completed application. The personalised application form and at least two referee letters must all reach IPP by the deadline. Only projects shown for winter 2026/27 are selectable. Project-specific methods and background expectations differ, so examine the individual project descriptions. I cannot confirm an application fee amount, a universal monthly salary, or which ordinary relocation, housing, insurance and visa expenses are paid from the official call pages reviewed. Do not assume that the funded PhD project covers every personal cost.
Visa and immigration information I cannot confirm vacancy-specific visa sponsorship or payment of visa-related costs from the reviewed official IPP pages. International applicants should check the admission or employment paperwork and applicable German entry requirements with IPP and the relevant German mission. Admission or a funded position does not guarantee visa approval.
TripDoc verification notes Checked against IMB's live winter 2026/27 call, application instructions, project list and FAQ on 26 September 2026. The deadline is 15 October 2026 at 12:00 CEST. Full project funding and interview travel/accommodation are confirmed, but no single salary, fee amount or visa support package was stated on those pages. Always confirm the selected project's terms with IPP before committing.
