The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Germany is accepting applications for six fully funded PhD positions starting in September 2027 through the International Max Planck Research School for Evolutionary Biology (IMPRS EvolBio). The application deadline is 10 January 2027. These doctoral opportunities cover evolutionary genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, developmental biology, theoretical biology, and immunology. Applicants need a relevant master’s degree or equivalent, although students who are still completing their degrees can apply if they graduate before the programme begins.
The 2027 recruitment call is open to qualified international applicants. An IELTS or TOEFL certificate is not required, but candidates must demonstrate strong written and spoken English during selection. Applications are accepted through the email procedure published by IMPRS EvolBio. Candidates can apply for up to two research projects, with a separate, tailored application for each. Applicants should check the official instructions before submitting because the general Max Planck job advertisement also refers to an application portal.
Max Planck IMPRS PhD Positions 2027: Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | International Max Planck Research School for Evolutionary Biology (IMPRS EvolBio) |
| Country | Germany |
| Main institute | Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön |
| Academic level | PhD / Doctoral research |
| Available positions | 6 |
| Funding | Fully funded doctoral researcher positions |
| Research duration | Six-month training phase followed by a three-year doctoral project |
| Eligible applicants | Candidates with a relevant master’s degree or equivalent by the start date |
| English requirement | Proficiency required; IELTS/TOEFL certificate not mandatory |
| Application method | Email, with one PDF per project |
| Deadline | 10 January 2027 |
| Expected start | 1 September 2027 |
The programme is jointly organised by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Kiel University (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel), and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research. Although doctoral researchers conduct their research through IMPRS EvolBio and its participating research groups, the doctoral degree is awarded by Kiel University (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel). Successful graduates receive the German Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.), which is considered equivalent to a PhD, alongside an IMPRS completion certificate.
Available PhD Research Projects for 2027
The IMPRS EvolBio recruitment call offers six distinct projects. Applicants should select projects based on their research experience and technical skills rather than applying broadly to every topic.
| Research project | Supervisor | Relevant background |
|---|---|---|
| Evo-devo of color patterns in lizards | Nathalie Feiner | Developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology |
| Demographic modelling of wall lizards inhabiting island archipelagos | Nathalie Feiner | Population genetics, genomics, computational biology |
| Serving bacterial genome phylogenies for genetic marker discovery | Bernhard Haubold | Bioinformatics, software engineering, microbial genomics |
| Stochastic evolutionary games in finite populations | Arne Traulsen | Mathematical biology, theoretical evolution, computational modelling |
| Modelling sex-specific differences in immunity | Arne Traulsen and Michael Sieber | Immunology, theoretical biology, mathematical modelling |
| Understanding mobile genetic elements in parasitic flatworms | George Wendt | Molecular genetics, genomics, parasitology |
The project descriptions identify different scientific questions and research methods. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
For example, the bacterial genome phylogenies project involves developing computational tools for identifying genetic markers, particularly in Vibrio bacteria. It may be especially relevant to applicants with software development experience alongside biological knowledge.
The wall lizard demographic modelling project focuses on population genomic data, coalescent theory, historical gene flow, and demographic inference. Previous computational population genetics experience would be useful.
The parasitic flatworm project investigates how these organisms control mobile genetic elements despite apparently lacking the piRNA-based defence system found in certain free-living flatworms. The research involves comparative genomics, sequencing, and parasite culture.
Applicants interested in molecular biotechnology or genetics should examine the methods used in each project before deciding whether their academic background is a suitable match.
You are not required to submit a separate research proposal for the IMPRS EvolBio 2027 application. However, understanding how research questions and methods are developed can help you evaluate the advertised projects and prepare for interviews. Our PhD research proposal writing guide explains these concepts with practical examples.
Applicants whose interests are closer to computational engineering, artificial intelligence, or biotechnology applications may also explore the imec PhD Positions 2027 in Belgium. The programme offers funded doctoral research across several technological fields, with an application deadline of 2 December 2026 at 13:00 CET. Its academic requirements and research topics differ from IMPRS EvolBio.
Funding and Benefits: What Does the Max Planck PhD Programme Cover?
The Max Planck Society explicitly advertises the six opportunities as fully funded doctoral researcher positions. Financial support is provided throughout the IMPRS programme.
The advertised benefits include:
- Financial support for doctoral research and training.
- Access to research facilities and scientific infrastructure.
- Individual supervision and support from a thesis advisory committee.
- Scientific training, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
- An international research environment where English is the working language.
- A free beginner-level German language course for international doctoral researchers.
Max Planck IMPRS PhD Salary and Stipend
IMPRS EvolBio provides financial support throughout the doctoral programme. Under the programme’s general funding structure, researchers receive a stipend during the initial six-month training phase, followed by a working contract for the doctoral research period, normally lasting three years.
The programme’s published supervision agreement specifies a six-month stipend comprising a basic amount of €1,365 per month and an additional €103 allowance. For doctoral researchers employed under the applicable German public-sector agreements, the agreement provides for remuneration of at least 65% of Pay Group 13.
However, funding arrangements and payment amounts may depend on the funding body and individual appointment. These figures should not be interpreted as a confirmed 2027 take-home salary.
Applicants should review their individual offer to confirm the monthly payment, gross or net amount, insurance arrangements, deductions, contract duration, and any conditions for extending funding beyond the standard doctoral period.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must satisfy the programme’s academic and language requirements and demonstrate a strong match with their selected project.
Academic qualifications: Candidates need a Master of Science, Diploma, or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline. Examples include evolutionary biology, genetics, biochemistry, and related scientific fields.
A completed master’s degree is not required when submitting the application. However, the qualification must be awarded before the expected doctoral start on 1 September 2027.
English proficiency: Applicants must communicate effectively in written and spoken English. No official IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required. English proficiency will instead be evaluated during interviews.
Research suitability: The programme expects applicants to demonstrate relevant knowledge, research interests, technical skills, and motivation. Requirements differ between projects. For instance, the bacterial genomics project specifically seeks applicants who can combine biological data analysis with software engineering.
Nationality: The official announcement welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and does not specify a nationality restriction. International candidates can therefore apply if they meet the academic and project-specific requirements.
Can applicants with only a bachelor’s degree apply?
The general IMPRS EvolBio programme information mentions that exceptional bachelor’s graduates may be admitted if they complete additional teaching modules. However, the specific 2027 recruitment call requires a relevant master’s degree, Diploma, or equivalent qualification by the programme’s starting date.
Applicants who hold only a bachelor’s degree should therefore not assume they qualify for the current recruitment round. They should request written confirmation from IMPRS administration before applying under the exceptional admission provision.
Applicants who do not meet the master’s degree requirement may also consider the ISTA PhD Program 2027 in Austria. Unlike the standard IMPRS EvolBio admission route, ISTA accepts eligible bachelor’s and master’s graduates into its funded doctoral programme. Its application deadline is 8 January 2027 at 3:00 PM CET.
Required Application Documents
Each application must contain:
- A motivation letter of no more than one page, addressed to the relevant principal investigator.
- An academic CV.
- Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree documentation and transcripts of records.
- Contact information for two academic references.
Your CV should make your research experience, technical skills, academic projects, and relevant coursework easy to assess. If you have limited publication experience, our academic CV writing guide explains how to present your thesis work, laboratory skills, and research contributions for PhD applications.
Do you need to submit recommendation letters?
The initial application requires contact information for two references. The published instructions do not require applicants to include two completed recommendation letters in the application PDF.
Choose academic referees who can discuss your research ability, previous work, and suitability for doctoral study. Obtain their permission before listing their contact information and inform them that the programme may contact them during selection.
All documents must be combined into one PDF file per project.
The programme specifically requests that applicants do not include application photographs.
The motivation letter must explain why the candidate wants to pursue doctoral research and provide a scientific justification for choosing the particular project.
Applicants who have not yet graduated may be asked for an official university statement confirming their expected graduation date if they are preselected for the final round.
How to Apply for the IMPRS EvolBio PhD Positions 2027
Applications are accepted until 10 January 2027.
Step 1: Review the available projects. Read the detailed project descriptions, including the recommended scientific publications. Identify the research question and methods that best match your experience.
Official project descriptions: IMPRS EvolBio Open Projects 2027
Step 2: Contact the supervisor if necessary. Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant principal investigator when they have specific questions after reviewing the project information. This contact is recommended but not compulsory.
If you have a specific question about a project’s research methods or suitability, you can contact the principal investigator before applying. Our guide on how to email a professor for PhD opportunities explains how to write a concise, research-focused inquiry. For IMPRS EvolBio, contacting the supervisor is encouraged but not mandatory.
Step 3: Prepare a project-specific application. Write a motivation letter explaining your scientific interest and suitability. Include the required academic documents, CV, and referee details in one PDF.
Step 4: Follow the required filename format. For example, an application to Bernhard Haubold’s project should use:
Lastname_Firstname_Haubold.pdf
The individual project pages provide the required naming conventions.
Step 5: Submit the application by email. Send the PDF to:
imprs-application@evolbio.mpg.de
Address the application for the attention of Ms. Ellen Karl.
Applicants can select a maximum of two projects. If applying to two, prepare and submit two separate project-specific applications rather than reusing the same motivation letter.
Important application submission clarification
The official IMPRS EvolBio application page and individual project descriptions instruct applicants to submit their documents by email to imprs-application@evolbio.mpg.de, for the attention of Ms. Ellen Karl.
However, the general Max Planck Society recruitment advertisement also refers to an application portal. Because these instructions differ, applicants should follow the current project-specific requirements and confirm the accepted submission route with IMPRS administration if the discrepancy remains.
The published application deadline is 10 January 2027.
IMPRS EvolBio 2027 Selection Process and Important Dates
The selection process involves an initial assessment by the relevant principal investigator, online interviews, and a final selection symposium.
| Recruitment stage | Official date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 22 October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 10 January 2027 |
| First-round online interviews | 12 January–12 February 2027 |
| Selection symposium invitations | 25 February 2027 |
| Final selection symposium | 26–27 April 2027 |
| Successful candidates informed | 30 April 2027 |
| Programme begins | 1 September 2027 |
The final symposium is planned as an in-person event at the Max Planck Institute, subject to travel and meeting conditions. If necessary, interviews may be conducted by video conference.
The published assessment process places particular importance on academic suitability, research motivation, and how well the application matches the selected project.
Careers Help Desk Counter Angle: Your Project Match Matters More Than a Generic PhD Application
One of the most important details in this recruitment call is the programme’s explicit warning that applications without a clear scientific connection to the chosen project will not be considered further.
This creates a practical challenge for applicants whose degrees are relevant to evolutionary biology but whose previous research focused on a different organism or methodology.
For example, a biotechnology graduate with experience in genome analysis may have a stronger case for the bacterial phylogenies project than for a theoretical evolutionary game modelling project, unless they can demonstrate the necessary mathematical background.
Before writing your motivation letter, examine the supervisor’s recommended publications and identify one research question or methodological challenge that genuinely interests you. Then explain how your previous coursework, thesis, programming experience, or laboratory work could help you contribute.
The one-page motivation letter is an important part of this application because IMPRS explicitly rejects generic statements that do not address the selected research project. Our motivation letter writing guide provides examples of how to connect academic experience with programme requirements. For IMPRS, focus particularly on your scientific reasoning and research suitability rather than general scholarship motivation.
You do not need to claim expertise in every method listed. A precise explanation of your existing skills and what you want to investigate is more useful than a general statement about your passion for science.
Ready to Apply for PhD Positions and Study in Germany
The six IMPRS Evolutionary Biology PhD positions offer funded doctoral research opportunities in Germany for applicants interested in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, developmental biology, and theoretical evolution. With no mandatory English test certificate and the option to apply before completing a master’s degree, the programme is accessible to a broad range of qualified international candidates. However, research suitability remains central to selection. Applicants should review the individual projects carefully, prepare a scientifically focused motivation letter, and submit their documents by 10 January 2027.
Official application page: IMPRS EvolBio PhD Positions 2027 Call for Applications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are the Max Planck IMPRS Evolutionary Biology PhD positions fully funded?
Yes. The Max Planck Society advertises all six doctoral researcher positions as fully funded. Individual salary or stipend conditions should be confirmed with the programme.
2. Can international students apply without IELTS?
Yes. An official IELTS or TOEFL certificate is not required. Applicants must demonstrate strong English communication skills during the interview process.
3. Can I apply if I have not completed my master’s degree?
Yes. You may apply while completing your master’s degree, provided the qualification is awarded before the doctoral programme begins in September 2027.
4. Can I apply for more than one research project?
You can apply for up to two projects. Each requires a separate PDF application and a motivation letter specifically addressing that project’s research objectives.
5. Is contacting a potential supervisor mandatory?
No. The programme encourages candidates to contact supervisors with relevant questions, but prior contact is not a compulsory application requirement.
6. What is the application deadline for IMPRS EvolBio 2027?
The official deadline is 10 January 2027. The programme has not specified a precise closing hour or time zone on its application page, so applicants should submit well before the final day.
Stay connected with Careers Help Desk for the latest international fellowships, scholarships, research opportunities and jobs abroad to empower your future!
0 Comments