University Hospital Cologne, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, CECAD Cluster of Excellence
The programme is completely conducted in English.
The CGA offers a PhD training programme (application deadline: autumn) and a Master's fellowship programme (application deadline: 15 July).
Our aim is to train a new generation of biomedical scientists who can take on the diverse challenges of making fundamental scientific discoveries in the basic biology of ageing and translating them into improvements in health and life for people as they grow older. In order to do this, we need to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that promote healthy ageing and identify interventions and potential drug targets.
Our research areas include:
The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) offers a comprehensive PhD training in the highly interdisciplinary field of ageing. The programme provides excellent research conditions with intensive supervision and state-of-the-art facilities in an international environment. The curriculum is complemented by individual career-development mentoring, scientific and professional skills courses, lecture series, journal clubs, and scientific retreats.
During an on-site recruitment week, candidates can visit up to five laboratories of their choice. Up to 12 candidates will be selected for the three-year programme that starts on an individual basis between 1 July and 1 October. In October, the Welcome Days for all new CGA PhD candidates take place.
Stories of our students with interesting insights about their live in Cologne can be found here: https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/about-us/cga-stories.
For students holding a BSc degree, the CGA offers a Master's fellowship programme as well. Master's fellows receive hands-on training in ageing research, have regular meetings with mentors of the CGA faculty, and participate in various CGA events already at an early stage in their careers!
A general lecture series and corresponding journal club sessions provide students with an overview of all topics covering our research areas, the latest state-of-the-art techniques, and novel research results. In addition, students will have the opportunity to attend various training modules varying from lab methodologies and techniques to soft skills. These courses provide profound knowledge in presentation, scientific writing, and project management skills required for a successful scientific career. A thesis committee consisting of experienced researchers offers systematic guidance to each student. Annual reports guarantee an optimal supervision of the progress of the projects. Scientific retreats, international meetings, exchange programmes, and journal clubs will complete the programme by giving students the opportunity to interact intensively with various researchers and the international research community.
Additional internships are not required, but some PhD students take advantage of the opportunity to spend a research period abroad.
The semester contribution amounts to approx. 318 EUR per semester. The fee includes a semester ticket that covers public transport in the entire federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Approx. 832 EUR per month (https://portal.uni-koeln.de/ar/international/study-in-cologne/costs-financing)
All PhD students receive a work contract with social benefits (including health insurance) and 30 days of vacation for a period of three years. Payment is based either on the German public salary scheme, level TVL-E13, at 65% (monthly gross salary approx. 2,700 EUR in the first year) if terms and conditions under collective bargaining law are fulfilled, or on the equivalently remunerated PhD support contract of the Max Planck Society ("Promotionsfördervertrag", sui generis). If the PhD project is not completed within three years, the respective PI will finance the student until the end of the PhD project under the same conditions.
Applicants for the PhD programme must have completed an advanced academic degree (MSc or equivalent) in fields such as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, bioengineering, pharmacology, neuroscience, translational medicine, or a related area. Furthermore, they must have gained sufficient research experience during their studies.
Your application will also be accepted if your Master's degree has not yet been awarded by the time of application. However, it must be awarded before the start of your individual PhD projects between July and October of the respective year.
Students holding a Bachelor's degree with outstanding grades and exceptional scientific qualification are encouraged to apply to our Master fellowship programme (https://www.ageing-grad-school.de/master/master-programme-overview/)!
To be considered for admission, applicants are expected to have excellent English skills.
The CGA offers a PhD training programme (application deadline: autumn) and a Master's fellowship programme (application deadline: 15 July).
Due to the intense nature of the programme, students cannot be employed elsewhere.
Accommodation is available through the student union ("Kölner Studierendenwerk") or on the private housing market. Rent for a single room in a students' hall of residence is approx. 200 to 350 EUR. Rent for a single room on the private housing market is approx. 500 EUR.
PhD students benefit from our unique three-module career development programme, and they have access to career counselling and an alumni mentoring programme.
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 Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), the University Hospital Cologne, the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research.
With more than 50,000 students and six faculties, the University of Cologne is not only one of the largest universities in Germany but also a modern university in the heart of Europe. Academic excellence, internationality, and widely varied curricula create a vibrant and inspiring environment for students, scientists, and scholars. Since its distinction within the scope of the German Excellence Initiative 2012, the University of Cologne has belonged to a small group of elite universities in Germany for seven years.
Cologne has emerged as a leading global research cluster with a stellar constellation of institutes and scientists dedicated to ageing research in Life Sciences.
With a population of over one million people, Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest city in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Located in the heart of Europe on an ancient trade route – the river Rhine – Cologne has been an important trade location since the Middle Ages. Cologne has a booming economic sector that includes commerce, trades, banks, and international corporations. It is one of Europe's most important media hubs and is home to a variety of television and radio broadcasters. Furthermore, Cologne offers many museums, art exhibitions, cinemas, theatres, cultural events, international-level concerts, and, of course, the Cologne Carnival, which is the city's "fifth season".
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