PhD

International PhD Programme in Cancer Research

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg

Heidelberg, Germany

Program Overview

The DKFZ International PhD Programme in Cancer Research offers cutting-edge doctoral training at Germany’s largest biomedical research institute. PhD candidates conduct...

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EUR

Financials

Tuition FeesNone

Living ExpensesLiving expenses covered through PhD salary/stipend (TV-L E13, approx. €50,000–€65,000 gross per year)

Note: Most public universities in Germany are tuition-free. You only pay a semester contribution (~EUR 300) which usually includes a public transport ticket.

INFO

Intakes and Duration

Intake Season

Rolling intake (applications accepted year-round)

Duration

6 semesters

Career Outcomes

Postdoctoral ResearcherResearch Scientist (Academia or Industry)Principal Investigator (long-term academic track)Biomedical or Pharmaceutical R&D ScientistComputational Biology / Bioinformatics ScientistClinical Research ScientistIndustry R&D Specialist (Biotech / Pharma)Scientific Consultant or Policy Advisor (Health & Research)

You can always explore various career paths after completing this program. The listed options are some of the most popular among graduates.

EUR

Salary Outlook

Typical range

€50,000 – €65,000 per year (TV-L E13, depending on experience and funding level)

Fresher, mid-level, and experienced ranges are linked to external sources so they stay auditable for applicants.

LANG

Language & Exams

Teaching Language

English

Proof of English proficiency is required unless applicants are from German-speaking countries or are native English speakers. Accepted tests include IELTS (7.0+), TOEFL iBT (95+), or Cambridge CAE. Applicants whose previous degree was taught in English may submit official confirmation instead.

IELTS required (IELTS 7.0 overall)No extra certification required

REQ

Requirements

Academic Admission

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a field related to cancer research, such as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, medicine, bioinformatics, computational biology, epidemiology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, or related disciplines.

APS Certificate

Not required for PhD/doctoral programmes.

IELTS Score

IELTS 7.0 overall

Application Deadline

Application deadlines are subject to changes. Please refer to the above university course link for the most accurate information.

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