12 fully funded PhD positions

Application for up to 12 PhD positions at the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research is now open! Application period: August 11 to November 3, 2026.

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

• An outstanding international research environment at one of Europe's most prestigious ageing research clusters, comprising 49 interdisciplinary research groups
• Initial work contracts of at least three years with payment based on the German TV-L E13 scale, 65% or on an equivalently remunerated PhD support contract of the Max Planck Society 
• Dedicated supervision with academic guidance from thesis advisory committees
• Comprehensive PhD programme in the vibrant city of Cologne, conducted in English
• Individual career mentoring & coaching, wide range of methodology & soft skills courses 
• Annual conference travel grants
• Intensive support and guidance for international students in all administrative matters

We are looking for

• Applicants with an MSc or equivalent degree in Biology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Genetics, Medical Biology, Translational Medicine, or related fields
• Students with excellent academic performance in their BSc and MSc studies and a clear interest in the above-mentioned research areas, with strong motivation for ageing research 
• Candidates with very good English skills (C1 level, written and spoken)
• 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

Further information

• Webpage:  http://www.ageing-grad-school.de
• Application: https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/phd/applications
• FAQs: https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/phd/faq
• CGA film: https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/about-us/interdisciplinary-approach-one-graduate-programme
• CGA stories: https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/about-us/cga-stories
• Contact us: https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/about-us/contact-us