how to find phd position in europe

Cookie Consent

To improve the website, the DAAD and third parties set cookies and process usage data . In doing so, the DAAD and third parties transfer usage data to third countries in which there is no level of data protection comparable to that under EU law. By clicking the "Accept all" button, you consent to this processing. You can also find selection options and explanations of these cookies and processing at the end of this page under "Cookies". There you can withdraw consent at any time with effect for the future.

• Privacy Policy

Jump to content

How to Find Your PhD Position in Germany

Are you looking for a doctoral position in Germany? In the DAAD databases, you can find open PhD positions in all fields and all over Germany. When you have found an offer that matches your interests you can apply online at the offering university.

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst e.V. Kennedyallee 50 53175 Bonn

All addresses in the DAAD Network

DAAD Newsletters

Receive regular up-to-date information about our work and organisation.

Newsletter - DAAD

Useful Links

• Find Scholarships
• DAAD offices worldwide

Jump to top of page

• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=0; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[0]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Research landscape
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=1; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[1]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Your goal
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=2; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[2]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Plan your stay
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=3; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[3]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Success stories
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=4; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[4]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Our service
• R&D policy framework
• Research infrastructure
• Research funding system
• Universities
• Universities of applied sciences
• Technical universities
• Top universities
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Helmholtz Association
• Leibniz Association
• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
• Academies of sciences and humanities
• Federal research institutions
• State research institutions
• What is R&D in German business?
• Why is collaboration important?
• Which sectors carry out R&D?
• Which are the leading companies?
• How do German businesses compare internationally?
• How is the start-up scene set up?
• How do I start a career?
• Good reasons
• Two ways to get your PhD
• Find your PhD position

How to apply for a PhD

• Funding programmes
• Funding organisations
• Funding databases
• Job portals
• Career options & dual careers
• Funding & awards
• Potential employers
• Research fields
• Entry and residence
• German money-saving tips
• Cost of living
• Social insurance and health
• Bringing your family
• Information for your partner
• Support for families
• Finding a place to live
• Funding opportunities
• Recognition of professional qualifications
• Counselling
• Latest Thinking
• First-hand experiences from international researchers
• "Meet Your Future You" - series
• On-site consultation
• Our publications
• Research news
• Online talks
• Topics in focus
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=0; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-0')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Research landscape
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=1; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-1')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Your goal
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=2; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-2')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Plan your stay
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=3; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-3')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Success stories
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=4; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-4')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Our service

Support making RiG more international!

Support making "Research in Germany" more international! Your expertise and commitment are the key to the further development of promoting the German research landscape. We invite you to take part in our online survey and share your valuable experiences and opinions. Duration: 7-10 min.

Please start the survey at the end of your visit.

Find your PhD position in Germany

Before you start your search ....

Before you start your search you should know that there are different PhD models:

• Individual doctorate  or
• Structured PhD programmes

What's the difference? Check out our  overview of the various ways to do your PhD in Germany  

Find your individual doctorate

The "traditional" or "individual" path to a PhD remains the most common in Germany. An individual doctorate involves a thesis or dissertation that is produced under the  supervision of one professor . This form of PhD study offers a great deal of  flexibility , but demands a high degree of  personal initiative  and responsibility.

How to find your PhD supervisor

In Germany there is no central admissions or selection office for doctoral students. Therefore, your first step is to find a suitable professor who is willing to be your supervisor.

One way to find a supervisor is to look for a university institute that matches your area of research. The following online search engines might help you find a suitable supervisor:

• GERiT – German research institutions GERiT is a website containing information on approximately 29,000 research institutions in Germany. GERiT allows the user to search easily by location or subject. It provides all the information needed to choose an institution at which to research, study or do a doctorate. www.gerit.org
• Finding a PhD position PhDGermany publishes PhD openings in Germany that specifically target international applicants. Accordingly, in most cases the working language is English. Fluent knowledge of German is only required for certain special positions. PhDGermany helps you find the right PhD opening or supervisor for your doctoral thesis and assists you with the online application process. www.phdgermany.de
• Higher Education Compass   This database provides up-to-date information from universities about doctoral opportunities in Germany. The search engine enables you to carry out targeted searches on the basis of departments, admission requirements and form of doctoral thesis. www.higher-education-compass.de

Furthermore,  your contacts with your professors or previous university  could help direct you to a suitable department or potential supervisor in Germany.

It is also helpful to attend  academic conferences  in your own subject area. There you will be able to exchange information and make contacts ­– and perhaps even find a future PhD supervisor.

Find your structured PhD programme

DAAD/Ausserhofer/Himsel

Structured PhD programmes in Germany are frequently very similar to the PhD programmes in English-speaking countries, in which a  team of supervisors  look after a  group of doctoral students . Around 12,000 doctoral students from abroad – roughly one in four – do their PhDs in structured programmes. As a rule, it is possible to complete a doctorate in four to five years.

Where to find your PhD programme

There is no central database of all structured PhD programmes in Germany. You can usually find these programmes directly through the respective universities, graduate schools or non-university research institutions. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database is also a good place to look. Here you will find a large number of PhD programmes that are specially aimed at international doctoral students.

International doctoral programme database

Are you interested in an international doctoral programme in Germany? This DAAD database presents a selection of roughly 230 international doctoral programmes in Germany. The database can be searched according to different criteria.  www.daad.de/international-programmes 

Doctoral programmes at universities

Many universities offer structured doctoral programmes, which they publicise on their websites. The Student Advisory Service or Graduate Centre at the respective university will also provide help here. You can find the relevant addresses using the Higher Education Compass provided by the German Rectors’ Conference. www.higher-education-compass.de

​​​​​​​DFG-funded research training groups

Research training groups are also funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) for a period of up to nine years. Their key emphasis is on the qualification of doctoral researchers within the framework of a focused research programme and a structured training strategy. www.dfg.de > Current Research Training Groups

Helmholtz Research Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools

The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation. In collaboration with various institutions of higher education, Helmholtz Association research centres have established structured PhD programmes under the auspices of Helmholtz Graduate Schools, Helmholtz Research Schools and Colleges.  www.helmholtz.de > PhD Candidates 

Leibniz Graduate Schools

The Leibniz Association connects 97 research institutes that conduct problem-oriented research and provide scientific infrastructure of national and international importance. Together with universities they run structured PhD programmes in Leibniz Graduate Schools. www.leibniz-association.eu > Leibniz Graduate Schools

International Max Planck Research Schools

The Max Planck Society specialises in innovative basic research and its institutes are able to offer up-and-coming researchers excellent infrastructure and support. The website lists the programmes available at International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS):  www.mpg.de > International Max Planck Research Schools  

Max Planck Schools

In Germany, the best researchers in a specific field are often work at different universities and non-university research institutions spread throughout the country. The Max Planck Schools serve as hubs which gather this distributed knowledge. Here, the brightest minds in their fields have come together from within the scientific community to interconnect in faculties made up of active researchers. Students gain access to these unique networks, learn in close personal exchange from leaders in their fields and their peers, and enjoy access to outstanding infrastructure. Currently, three Schools are operating in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. www.maxplanckschools.de

Where can I find out about requirements?

Application procedures  differ from programme to programme . The precise requirements and deadlines can be found on the website of the respective university, research training group or graduate school. You should therefore first choose a PhD programme and/or graduate school.

istockphoto.com/shapecharge, istockphoto.com/.shock, istockphoto.com/Tirachard, istockphoto.com/greenleaf123, istockphoto.com/Tassii

PhDGermany database

Find a selection of open PhD positions in Germany in the PhDGermany database!

Search PhD offers

You've found the position you want to apply for, but how does applying to a potential supervisor or structured PhD programme work in Germany? Find out more here.

DAAD/Jan Zappner

We help you navigate through the large number of job portals that specialise in openings for academics and scientists. These are some of the sites that may get you started.

DAAD/Uta Konopka

Check out our brochure

Doing a phd in germany (2019, 40 pages).

This booklet for (prospective) international doctoral students presents the different options for doing a doctorate in Germany. It explains the formal requirements and gives some practical advice on finding the right supervisor or doctoral programme. It also outlines different sponsorship and funding options.