CiM-IMPRS is a joint graduate program of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) Molecular Biomedicine and the Graduate School of the Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre (CiM) at the University of Münster. The program is jointly run by the University of Münster and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine.
The Ph.D.program offers excellent research and teaching in Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences with a strong emphasis on Imaging. The progam is open to graduates of the biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, computer sciences and physics.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
- Students will receive a work contract with an annual gross pay of 37.510 € (positions in the departments of chemistry/pharmacy are endowed with 28.854 €). The exact amount depends on the type of work contract offered by the individual work groups.
- There are no tuition fees, but PhD students have to register with the university with a contribution of ca. 60 € / month for which they receive a ticket for free public transport in Germany and the opportunity to apply for cheap student dormitories.
Requirements
- Applicants must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in life or natural sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, physics, chemistry, pharmacy or related fields), in mathematics or computer sciences.
- Applicants with a state examination in pharmacy can only be admitted to work on pharmaceutical/chemical projects. Please check if such projects are available this year (see "list of groups that can be chosen" in the webppag). Students with a *medical or veterinary degree cannot *be admitted.
- Applications are also welcome if the required degree has not yet been awarded by the time of application. However, it has to be awarded before positions commence in October.
- APS certificate (only required if you have studied in India, Vietnam or the People's Republic of China): Applicants who have studied in one of these countries and get selected for a PhD position will have to submit an APS certificate to the University of Münster. These applicants cannot do their PhD in Münster without the APS certificate! APS certificates can be obtained from the German embassy of the country where they have studied. Applicants who get selected for a PhD and need an APS certificate should apply for the certificate immediately after having been selected! More information on APS certificates can be found here:
People's Republic of China
India
Vietnam
- English proficiency:
Applicants who are not native English speakers should demonstrate an adequate competence of the English language by one of the following options: 1) acceptable results in an internationally recognized test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) OR 2) proven higher education in English OR 3) reasonably long stay in an English speaking country OR 4) simply demonstrating your English language abilities during presentations and interviews. Please note: Although an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS) is not required it is very important that you CAN communicate well enough in spoken and written English. Knowledge of the German language is not required.
- Students from Münster are also welcome to apply. Please note: Students who are already working in a group of a CiM-IMPRS member (see list of members on this page under "Research and Groups") are eligible for a position only, if they will join a different CiM-IMPRS group for their PhD.
The University of Münster and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine are equal opportunity employers and are committed to increasing the proportion of female academics. Consequently, we actively encourage applications by women. Female candidates with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered within the framework of the legal possibilities. We are also committed to employing more staff with disabilities. Candidates with recognised severe disabilities who have equivalent qualifications are given preference in hiring decisions.
Selection Process
- The CiM-IMPRS faculty will select applicants for mandatory interviews (3.5 days, online). You will be informed about the decision no later than the date given above in the application schedule (selection for interviews).
- Interview Symposium: The symposium consists of interviews (including a short presentation of your Master/Diploma thesis), meetings with potential supervisors and online visits of groups/labs. On the last day of the symposium you will be asked to give a final updated list of up to three preferred groups/supervisors sorted by your priority.
- A final decision on acceptance to the program will be made a few days after the interviews. You will be informed about our decision by e-mail by July 3rd, 2026.
- Successful applicants start their PhD projects on October 1st. If you wish, you can also start earlier. However, if you need a visa or APS certificate, please note that this may take several months. A start in November 2026 is acceptable.
Application Documents
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Completed CiM-IMPRS Application Form
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Curriculum vitae (1 page)
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Master and Bachelor certificates, transcripts/records of study. Don't forget: Start this part with your Master certificate/documents.
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Certificates of secondary school education (only if available), English language test (only if available).
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Combine parts 1-4 into one pdf file.
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Names and e-mail addresses of two academic teachers who can send reference letters
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Names of 1-3 CiM-IMPRS groups in which you would like to do your PhD. Make sure that you do not choose groups that do not take students this year (see webpage).
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Make sure that you have time for a Skype interview with us in case we ask you for it.
Application Deadline
May 1, 2026How To Apply
For more information, kindly visit the CiM-IMPRS webpage.
