12 Fully Funded PhD Positions at the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research University of Cologne in Germany

The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) in Germany is offering up to 12 fully funded PhD positions in an outstanding international research environment focused on ageing and age-related diseases. The programme is a joint venture involving the University of Cologne Excellence Cluster CECAD, the University Hospital Cologne, and the Max Planck Institutes for Biology of Ageing and for Metabolism Research, giving successful applicants access to a highly interdisciplinary setting with 49 research groups.

These PhD positions are designed for highly motivated and talented early-stage researchers interested in ageing research. The training programme is structured and will begin on an individual basis between July 1 and October 1, 2027. Successful candidates will be enrolled through the University of Cologne and will carry out their research in Cologne, Germany, within a cutting-edge, English-speaking environment.

Funding is strongly competitive and includes initial work contracts of at least three years paid according to the German TV-L E13 scale at 65%, or an equivalently remunerated PhD support contract from the Max Planck Society. Additional benefits include dedicated supervision via thesis advisory committees, individual career mentoring and coaching, methodology and soft-skills training, annual conference travel grants, and intensive support for international students.

The programme seeks applicants with an MSc or equivalent degree in Biology or closely related disciplines such as cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, biophysics, genetics, medical biology, or translational medicine. Students with excellent BSc and MSc performance and a strong motivation for ageing research are encouraged to apply. Applicants with a medical degree are welcome if they have relevant research experience. Strong English proficiency at C1 level is required.

Applications are submitted online via the CGA application portal. Applicants must provide a statement of prior research experience and motivation, a detailed research proposal, names of three possible host laboratories, a CV, certificates, transcripts, and other supporting documents. Two academic referees are required, including the applicant’s most recent supervisor. The application period runs from August 11 to November 3, 2026, and selected candidates will later be invited to online interviews and a recruitment week in Cologne.

Overall, this is a major opportunity for candidates aiming to pursue a PhD in ageing, ageing-associated diseases, molecular and cellular biology, and related biomedical fields in a prestigious German research cluster.