The CEPLAS Graduate School offers a structured four-to-five-year doctoral program covering the fields of molecular plant sciences, plant genetics, plant-microbe interactions, synthetic biology as well as quantitative and computational biology.  The program is jointly organised by the Universities of Düsseldorf and Cologne, the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research and the Forschungszentrum Jülich and it leads students with a Bachelor’s degree through a unique qualification phase to the PhD. PhD students work in one (or sometimes two) of the CEPLAS member laboratories on a topic related to the CEPLAS research program. CEPLAS Graduate School members benefit from comprehensive training programs that address their academic as well as career development aspirations and needs. 

What we offer 

• A stimulating research environment focussing on plant science
• PhD projects cover topics including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, developmental biology, plant-microbe interactions, synthetic biology and computational biology, all using state-of-the-art technology and computational analyses
• A comprehensive training program in scientific and transferable skills, starting with a 1-year qualification phase that includes lectures, exercises and lab rotations
• A comprehensive career development support and employer networking
• Funding for up to five years
• Additional funding to attend conferences and workshops
• Funding for a research period in a laboratory abroad (Mobility Fund).
• Help with organisational issues (e.g. visa, health insurance etc.)
• No tuition fees are charged, except for an approx. 350 € fee per semester for enrolment at the University. This grants you student’s rights including free local public transportation in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Funding

During the one-year qualification phase, CEPLAS Graduate School students receive a stipend to cover their living expenses. Upon successful completion of the qualification phase, CEPLAS PhD students receive an employment contract according to German pay scale (E12/E13) for three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension if necessary to complete the PhD.