Taught vs Research Master’s: Funding, PhD Entry & an 8-Question Checklist
ApplyKite Editorial 3 Nov 2026
PhD Opportunities in Systems Biology in Germany
Phd Positions in systems biology in germany
5 positions foundnewest posted
Universities with open PhD positions in systems biology in Germany include Universität Duisburg-Essen, Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) and University of Cologne.
Universität Duisburg-Essen
Closing soon
Germany
.
3 weeks ago
Closing soon
PhD position at the University of Duisburg-Essen , Faculty of Chemistry, in Professor Bettina Siebers’ research group for Molecular Enzyme Technology and Biochemistry . The project is part of a DFG-funded research program and focuses on phosphate (Pi) homeostasis and polyphosphate (PolyP) metabolism in archaea, using the thermoacidophilic model organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius . Research topics include construction and characterization of genetically modified strains, Pi uptake and regulation,...
Physiology
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
+5 more
3 weeks ago
Universität Duisburg-Essen
Closing soon
Germany
.
3 weeks ago
Closing soon
PhD position at the University of Duisburg-Essen , Faculty of Chemistry, in the research group of Prof. Dr. Bettina Siebers (Molecular Enzyme Technology and Biochemistry). The project is embedded in environmental microbiology and biotechnology and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) . The doctoral project focuses on the role of polyphosphate (PolyP) and phosphate (Pi) homeostasis in archaea, using the thermoacidophilic model organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius . Research topics incl...
Physiology
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
+6 more
3 weeks ago
Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA)
Germany
.
2 months ago
12 fully funded PhD positions are available at the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) in Cologne, Germany. This is an application call for up to 12 doctoral places in a major international ageing research environment linking the University of Cologne, the University Hospital Cologne, the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, and the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research. The programme is situated within one of Europe’s leading ageing research clusters and brings togeth...
Cell Biology
Physiology
Biochemistry
+14 more
2 months ago
University of Cologne
Germany
.
2 months ago
The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) at the University of Cologne offers up to 12 fully funded PhD positions in a major international ageing research environment in Cologne, Germany. This structured PhD programme is a joint venture of the University of Cologne Excellence Cluster CECAD, the University Hospital, and the Max Planck Institutes for Biology of Ageing and for Metabolism Research. Successful candidates will join a cutting-edge network of 49 interdisciplinary research gro...
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
+8 more
2 months ago
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Germany
.
7 months ago
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is offering fully funded PhD positions in Life Sciences through its renowned International PhD Programme (EIPP). EMBL is a leading research institution with sites in Heidelberg, Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Hinxton (near Cambridge), and Rome, providing a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment for early-career scientists. The EIPP is designed to foster creativity, independence, and collaborative teamwork, offering comprehensive training that balan...
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Computer Science
+21 more
7 months ago
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Popular positions
Andreas Walther
Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
Germany
.
2 months ago
PhD Researcher Positions are available in the ERC Advanced Grant project ProtoEco: Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells in the Walther Lab at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz , Germany, with close links to the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. This is a funded doctoral opportunity in an ambitious, interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of chemistry, biomaterials, synthetic biology, and cell biology. The project explores how life-like artificial...
Cell Biology
Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
+7 more
2 months ago
International Max Planck Research School for Living Matter (IMPRS-LM)
Germany
.
7 months ago
The International Max Planck Research School on Cellular Biophysics (IMPRS-CBP) offers fully funded PhD positions for talented and motivated young scientists interested in the interdisciplinary field of cellular biophysics. Hosted by the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and the Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, the program is located in the vibrant Rhine-Main region of Germany, a renowned scientific and cultural ...
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Computer Science
+14 more
7 months ago
Johannes Karges
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Germany
.
1 month ago
PhD position in Medicinal Chemistry at Ruhr University Bochum This PhD opportunity focuses on designing next-generation platinum chemotherapy systems that are more selective and controllable. The project sits at the interface of synthetic chemistry , coordination chemistry , photochemistry , nanomedicine , drug delivery , cancer biology , and 3D cancer organoids . You will work on novel platinum–polymer conjugates , study their self-assembly and photoresponsive behavior, and evaluate their biolo...
Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Cancer Biology
+10 more
1 month ago
Living costs in Germany
Estimated costs in Germany.
MonthlyYearly | Germany |
|---|---|
 Housing Shared flats and off-campus rentals per year | €5.0k $5,400/yr |
 Utilities & Connectivity Electricity, water, internet, and mobile per year | €662 $720/yr |
 Personal Care Toiletries, haircuts, and personal items per year | €552 $600/yr |
 Clothing Basic clothing and seasonal needs per year | €828 $900/yr |
Estimates based on university averages and Numbeo
Popular professors
Leipzig University
Germany
Research Interests
Polymer Physics
Polymer Chemistry
Cell Mechanics
Self-assembly
Soft Matter Physics
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Germany
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Metabolic Biology
Photosynthesis
Nitrogen Metabolism
Head of Metabolomics
Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie
Germany
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Metabolic Biology
Computational Biology
Metabolic Engineering
Professors you could contact
Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases University of Cologne
Germany
Research Interests
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Systems Biology
Transcriptional Biology
Transcriptional Regulation
Junior Professor
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Germany
Research Interests
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Metabolic Biology
Computational Biology
Systems Biology
Has grant
Goethe University Frankfurt
Germany
Research Interests
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Petri Net
Systems Biology
Signal Transduction
Scholarships relevant to you
Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarships
Partially Funded
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (Rosa Luxemburg Foundation)GermanyAnnual
GermanyAnnualThe Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarships support highly qualified students and doctoral candidates studying in Germany, with a strong emphasis on social commitment and the Foundation's values.
Master
PhD
Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarships
Partially Funded
Konrad-Adenauer-StiftungGermanyAnnual
GermanyAnnualKonrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarships support academically strong international students and doctoral candidates who want to study or conduct research in Germany and show social or political commitment.
Master
PhD
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships
Partially Funded
Friedrich Ebert FoundationGermanyAnnual
GermanyAnnualThe Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships support high-achieving and socially engaged students in Germany, including international applicants, at undergraduate, master's and doctoral level.
Bachelor
Master
PhD
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Quick
Questions
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying for a PhD position?
In many European and Asian universities yes; in some US programs applications are centralized but supervisor contact still helps.
Is GRE required for master’s or PhD applications abroad?
It depends on the country and university — many programs have made GRE optional, especially outside the US.
Do funded PhD positions usually cover tuition and living expenses?
Yes. Most funded PhD roles include tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend, but details vary by country and lab.
Are publications required to apply for PhD or postdoc positions?
Not always required for PhD, but strongly recommended. For postdoc roles, publications are usually expected.
Will I need to pay a tuition deposit for master’s admission?
In many countries yes — especially for taught master’s programs — but funded PhD positions typically do not require deposits.