FAU offers the following doctoral degree programs in medicine and health sciences. Click on the tab for further information, links and points of contact.
Medicine and health sciences
Checkpoints for resolution of inflammation (DFG MGK-CRC/TFF 1181)
- Keywords: Research into molecular checkpoints for the resolution of inflammation, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and asthma; highly qualified, translational training; focus on life sciences
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. biol. hum., Dr. med., Dr. med. dent.
- Language of degree program: German and English
- Program duration: 4 years / 1 year in the case of a doctoral scholarship for medical doctoral candidates
- How to apply: By sending a cover letter (as a PDF document) via email to the CRC1181 office, stating the desired sub-projects.
- Special features: Mentoring, bi-weekly “Jour fixe” meetings, training workshops, seminars, public relations, financial support, 5 doctoral scholarships for medical students per year, annual retreat of the SFB/IRTG 1181
- Doctoral programs with similar topics
- Transregio-CRC – B cells: Immunity and autoimmunity (TRR 130)
- Research Training Group 1660 – Key signals of adaptive immune response
- Point of contact at FAU
- Contact by Email: m3direktion@uk-erlangen.de
- Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Mario Zaiss
- Information about the program
Development and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System (DFG RTG 2162)
- Keywords: CNS, vulnerability, neural development, neurodegeneration, neuropsychiatric disorders
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: approximately 3 years
- How to apply: By email to grk2162@fau.de Further information on applying can be found on the website of the RTG.
- Special features: 10 funded neuroscience doctoral candidates, 10 associated neuroscience doctoral candidates, close mentoring by the doctoral committee, 1 funded postdoctoral position, intensive national and international networking, scholarships for medical doctoral candidates, rotation positions for physicians, promotion of equal opportunities, workshops and soft skill seminars for doctoral candidates, financing of conference trips.
- Thematically similar doctoral programs: IZKF Medical Doctoral Program
- Point of contact at FAU: Prof. Dr. Dieter Chichung Lie
- Information about the program
Doctoral program in Gerontology at the ICA (Interdisciplinary Center for Aging Research)
- Keywords: Aging and technology, nutrition in old age, physical frailty, adaptation in old age, dementia, depression in old age
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. rer. biol. hum.
- Language of degree program: German and English
- Program duration: 2 to 3 years, depending on the doctoral degree sought
- How to apply: Admission via the primary supervisor of the doctoral thesis, if they are also a member of the structured program or the Interdisciplinary Center for Gerontology. Direct applications are not possible.
- Special features: The doctoral program does not award any scholarships itself, but actively supports doctoral candidates in their applications.
- FAU contacts and information about the program: Prof. Dr. Frieder R. Lang
- Information about the program
Doctoral program in Physical Activity and Health at the ISS (Institute of Sport Science and Sport)
- Keywords: Physical activity, training, health, exercise therapy, public health
- Doctoral title: Dr. phil.
- Language of degree program: German
- Program duration: Until the completion of the doctorate
- How to apply: The contacts are the coordinators and spokespersons of the doctoral program. Please note that the structured doctoral program is not a degree program with an annual application process. This is a support program for doctoral students at the Department of Sport Science and Sport.
- FAU contacts:
- Information about the program
EmpkinS: Empathokinesthetic Sensory Systems (DFG MGK-CRC 1483)
- Keywords: Medical engineering; touch-free radar, wireless and camera-based sensor technologies; AI; signal and data processing; biochemical modelling; patient-centred options for diagnosis and treatment; ethical considerations
- Doctoral title: Dr. phil., Dr. rer. biol. hum., Dr.-Ing.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: 3 years
- How to apply: Your doctoral supervisor is responsible for submitting the application for acceptance into the group. Applications ought to be submitted to coordinator Heike Leutheuser, the decision is taken by the coordination team of EmpkinS IRTG.
- Special features:
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and training (engineering, medicine, psychology, ethics)
- Subject-related and interdisciplinary skills and soft skills
- Annual one week long winter school
- Support with research publications, conferences, congresses and research stays abroad
- Personal supervision agreement with two supervisors
- International networking including funding for a research stay abroad and participation in conferences
- Gender equality measures
- Thematically similar doctoral programs:
- Graduate school in Advanced Optical Technologies
- Graduate school in Life Sciences Life@FAU
- RTG 2423
- Research training group integrated into CRC 1181
- International Max Planck Research School “Physics of Light”
- Max Planck School of Photonics
- FAU contact person and information about the program: Prof. Dr. Björn Eskofier
- Information about the research training group
Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT)
- Keywords: Optical technologies, optical metrology, optical material processing, optics in medicine, optical materials and systems, optics in information and telecommunications technology, computer-aided optics, optics in the life sciences.
- Doctoral title: Dr.-Ing., Dr. rer.nat., Dr. rer. biol.hum.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: 3 to 4 years
- How to apply: via Dr. Johannes Knorr
- Special features: Financial support available through scholarships, mentoring, working language English, interdisciplinary, credit-point system
- Thematically similar doctoral programs: International Max Planck Research School Physics of Light (IMPRS-PL)
- Information about the program: Information about the graduate school
FAIR: Fine-Tuners of the Adaptive Immune Response (DFG RTG 2599)
- Keywords: Immunology, adaptive immune response, RNA, B cells, T cells
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: German, English
- Program duration: Initially 4.5 years, duration of doctoral degree: Fast-track for Dr. rer. nat. doctoral candidates 1 year, Dr. rer. nat. doctoral candidates 3 years, Dr. med. doctoral candidates 1.5 years.
- How to apply: Here you will find further information on the application process and the current deadlines.
- Special features: Fast track option, learning interdisciplinary specialist skills, structured program with mentoring, introduction of electronic lab notebook.
- Thematically similar doctoral programs: Integrated Research Training Group “B cells and beyond” (IRTG TRR130)
- Information about the program
Graduate School Engineering of Advanced Materials (GS EAM)
- Keywords: Process engineering, technical chemistry, materials science, materials engineering, physical and theoretical chemistry, chemical solid-state and surface research, analytics, methods development, condensed matter physics, modeling, simulation, and optimization
- Doctoral title: Dr.-Ing., Dr. rer.nat.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: 3 to 4 years
- How to apply: Applications only possible for doctoral candidates at FAU from the area of new materials and processes
- Special features: Courses offered in key qualifications, interdisciplinary mentoring, interdisciplinary networking, alumni experiences, support for participating in international conferences
- Doctoral programs with similar topics: FRASCAL, CLINT, ParSciTech, IGK 2495, RTG 1896, and Graduate School Molecular Science (GSMS)
- Point of contact at FAU: Ina Viebach
- Information about the graduate school
Graduate School of Molecular Science (GSMS)
- Keywords: Molecules, materials, chemistry, pharmacy, model systems, computational chemistry
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: Usually 3 years
- How to apply: Your doctoral supervisor is responsible for submitting the application for acceptance into the group. Submission to Prof. Jux. The decision is made by the recruitment committee.
- Special features: No scholarships, funding for attending conferences/workshops/research stays nationally and internationally, annual winter school
- Doctoral programs with similar topics: Graduate School Advanced Materials and Processes (GS AMP) and Research Training Group 1896
- Points of contact at FAU:
- Information about the graduate school
Immune-epithelial communication in inflammatory bowel diseases (DFG MGK-CRC/TRR 241)
- Keywords: Research into the communication between epithelial and immune cells in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration:
- 3–4 years for doctoral candidates aiming for the qualification Dr. rer. nat.
- 1 year in the case of a doctoral scholarship for medical doctoral candidates
- How to apply: Please send your application (CV and letter of motivation) to Schlelein@uk-erlangen (responsible for Erlangen) or Erika.Bühler@charite.de (responsible for Berlin).
- Special features: Each doctoral candidate receives support from one supervisor and two project managers (one from Erlangen and one from Berlin), regular exchanges of research results in webinars, annual PhD retreat, guest speaker seminars, laboratory courses, training workshops, PR, financial support for participation in national and international congresses, doctoral scholarships for medical doctoral candidates
- Doctoral programs with similar topics: Life@FAU – Graduate School for Life Sciences
- Point of contact at FAU:
- PD Dr. med. habil. Imke Atreya, (imke.atreya@uk-erlangen.de), Department of Medicine 1
- Ina Schlelein (ina.schlelein@uk-erlangen.de), Department of Medicine 1
- Information about the program
ImmunoMicroTope: Microenvironmental, metabolic, and microbial signals regulating immune cell-pathogen interactions (DFG RTG 2740)
- Keywords: Influence of the immune microtope (tissue context, microenvironmental factors, metabolism) on the antimicrobial immune defense and the evasion of bacteria, fungi, and parasites: infection – immune cell–pathogen interaction – microenvironment – metabolism – microbial persistence
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration
- Dr. rer. nat., Dr. rer. biol. hum.: 3 years
- Dr. med.: qualification phase in conjunction with medical studies, experimental phase (12 months: free semester + semester breaks before and after), evaluation phase in conjunction with studies
- How to apply
- Details on the call for applications and the application process can be found on the website for RTG 2740: http://www.immunomicrotope.de.
- Applications must be sent to immunomicrotope-mh@uk-erlangen.de by September 15, 2021.
- Start of funding: January 1, 2022
- Special features: International laboratory exchange, annual retreat, international symposium (every 2 years), international guest speaker seminars and colloquia, wide range of methodological training (including mass spectrometry, metabolism and bioinformatics)
- Doctoral programs with similar topics: Novel antiviral approaches from small molecules to immune intervention (RTG 2504)
- Points of contact at FAU and information about the program
- Speaker: Prof. Dr. med. Christian Bogdan
phone: +49 9131 85-22551
email: christian.bogdan@fau.de - Scientific coordination: Dr. rer. nat. Ilka Knippertz
phone: +49 9131 85-22571
email: ilka.knippertz@uk-erlangen.de
- Speaker: Prof. Dr. med. Christian Bogdan
Integrated Research Training Group on EBM (Engineering Brain Mechanics)
- Keywords: Neuromechanics, brain mechanics, cerebral mechanics, spinal mechanics, neurocellular mechanics
- Doctoral title: Doctoral title: Dr.-Ing., Dr. rer. nat. and Dr. rer. biol. hum.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: 3 years
- How to apply: The current call for applications with further details on the doctoral research positions.
- Special features: The program is currently in its first phase of funding until the end of 2026. Alternative funding must be arranged for completing any doctoral degrees that have not been finished by then.
- Thematically similar doctoral programs: Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Graduate School of Life Sciences at FAU (Life@FAU), (GRK1896) In situ Microscopy with Electrons, X-rays, and Scanning Probes, (GRK2423) Fracture across Scales, (IGRK2495) Energy Conversion Systems, (GRK2162) Development and Vulnerability of the CNS
- Point of contact at FAU Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Friedrich Paulsen (speaker)
- Information about the program
International Max Planck Research School Physics and Medicine (IMPRS-PM)
- Keywords: Research topics: Cell biology, physiology, immunology, neuroscience, anatomy and histopathology, biochemistry and genetics, fluid dynamics and microfluids, concepts of statistical physics, optics and imaging, cell and tissue mechanics, artificial intelligence
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing., Dr. rer. biol. hum., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: 3+1 years (maximum 4 years)
- How to apply: Information on applying for the PhD program
- Special features: Structured curriculum, working language English, excellent research environment, international & interdisciplinary environment, financial support, soft skills courses, individual advisory committee for each doctoral candidate, coordination office for non-academic support, social events
- Thematically similar doctoral programs: International Max Planck Research School Physics of Light (IMPRS-PL)
- Point of contact at FAU:
- IMPRS Coordination Office: Heike Schwender and Kimberly Baumeister
Email: imprs@mpl.mpg.de
- IMPRS Coordination Office: Heike Schwender and Kimberly Baumeister
- Information about the program
IZKF research training group
- Keywords: Structured training program, networking between doctoral candidates, training in methodology and soft skills, taking an organized approach to scientific work, insights into other scientific fields
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. rer. biol. hum.
- Language of degree program: German and English
- Program duration: Whilst candidates are working on their doctoral degree
- How to apply: Applications should be sent to the Life@FAU office
- Special features: The IZKF research training group has joined the Graduate School for Life Sciences (Life@FAU). Life@FAU is tasked with creating minimum standards for training doctoral candidates in life sciences and providing structured training now and in the future
- Points of contact at FAU:
- Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christoph Becker
- Anne Reichel
- IZKF Office
Phone: +49 9131 85-46842
Email:mailto:izkf-administration@uk-erlangen.de
- Information about the program
Life@FAU – Graduate School for Life Sciences
- Keywords: Promoting structured training of doctoral candidates at FAU, creating minimum standards for training doctoral candidates in life sciences , providing structured training now and in the future
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. biol. hum., Dr. med., Dr. med. dent.
- Language of degree program: German and English
- Program duration: Whilst candidates are working on their doctoral degree
- How to apply: Applicants for Life@FAU must be working on a doctoral thesis focusing on a medical, biological or biophysical topic. Applications should be sent to the Life@FAU office.
- Points of contact at FAU
- Kathrin Neufang
- Anne Reichel
- Life@FAU Office
Phone: +49 9131 85-46842
Email:izkf-administration@uk-erlangen.de
- Information about the program
Medical doctoral program at the IZKF (Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research)
- Keywords: Medical doctoral program, experimental doctoral thesis in medicine, structured training program accompanying studies, key research priorities of the Faculty of Medicine
- Doctoral title: Dr. med., Dr. med. dent.
- Language of degree program: German and English
- Program duration: Doctoral candidates work on a scientific research project as the basis for their subsequent doctoral degree over a total of nine months of full-time work (including eight consecutive months during the scholarship period), supplemented by work alongside their studies until their doctoral degree is completed.
- How to apply: By submitting an application to the IZKF office. The Commission for Supporting Early Career Researchers (Kommission für Nachwuchsförderung, KNF) decides on the admission of candidates.
- Special features: Scholarship for 8 consecutive months while conducting research, training modules, supervisory committee, presentations at national conferences, seminars organized by doctoral students, guest speaker seminars, subject-specific and interdisciplinary training courses, internal retreat, public relations, publications
- Doctoral programs with similar topics: Research Training Group 2162/2 – Neurodevelopment and vulnerability of the central nervous system
- Points of contact at FAU
- Information about the program
Medicinal chemistry of selective GPCR ligands (DFG RTG 1910)
- Keywords: Medical chemistry, drug research, G protein-coupled receptors, selective receptor ligands, computational chemistry, pharmacology
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration: 3 years
- How to apply: Positions will be advertised on the research training group’s website in due course.
- Special features: Research training group across different locations (with the University of Regensburg), job pool includes DFG-funded doctoral and postdoctoral positions
- Doctoral programs with a similar topic:
- Points of contact at FAU:
- Information about the program
Modulation of graft-versus-host and graft-versus-leukemia immune responses after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (DFG MGK-CRC/TRR 221)
- Keywords: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation, transplant immunology, graft-versus-leukemia effect, graft-versus-host disease, T-cells
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: German and English
- Program duration: 4 years / 1 year in the case of a doctoral scholarship for medical doctoral candidates
- How to apply: Please apply directly to the individual coordinators responsible for each part of the project.
- Special features: Integrated mentoring program, annual retreat, international symposium organized by students, training workshops, seminars, insight into clinical practice through patient seminars, exchange programs among participating universities (Würzburg, Regensburg, Erlangen), doctoral scholarship for medical doctoral candidates
- Thematically similar doctoral programs
- Transregio-CRC – B cells: Immunity and autoimmunity (TRR 130)
- Research Training Group 1660 – Key signals of adaptive immune response
- IRTG 1181 – Switching points for resolving inflammation
- Point of contact at FAU: Prof. Dr. med. Anita Kremer
- Information about the program
Novel antiviral approaches from small molecules to immune intervention (RTG 2504)
- Keywords: Using and designing antiviral small molecules, immune cell-mediated antiviral effects and antibody-based approaches for fighting persistent virus infections (e.g. HIV, herpes viruses)
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med.
- Language of degree program: English
- Program duration:
- Dr. rer. nat.: 3 years
- Dr. med.: qualification phase in conjunction with medical studies, experimental phase (free semester + semester breaks before and after), evaluation phase in conjunction with studies
- How to apply: Regular calls for applications at https://www.virologie.uk-erlangen.de/grk2504/bewerbung/
Contact: grk2504-info@fau.de - Special features: International collaboration with the Ragon Institute (Boston, USA), annual retreat, supervision committee for each doctoral candidate, travel grants for conferences, workshops, guest speaker seminars, RTG colloquiums with representatives from industry, PR work
- Thematically similar doctoral programs
- Point of contact at FAU
- Speaker:
Prof. Dr. med. Klaus Überla
phone: +49 9131 85-23563
email: klaus.ueberla@fau.de - Scientific coordination
Dr. rer. nat Andrea Thoma-Kreß
phone: +49 9131 85-26429
email: grk2504-info@fau.de - Administration
Karin Ertl
phone: +49 9131 85-25975
email: grk2504-info@fau.de
- Speaker:
- Information about the research training group
RENPRO: Regensburg Erlangen Nephrology Program (SFB/TRR374)
- Keywords: Kidney research, (patho)physiology, tubular system and interstitium, translational projects, new therapeutic targets, basic research
- Doctoral title: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. med., Dr. hum. biol.
- Language of degree program: English; if only German-speaking participants, then also German.
- Program duration: 3-4 years (PhD)
- How to apply: Regular calls for applications are published here: www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vorklinische-medizin/sfb1350/open-positions/index.html.
- For further information, please contact Dr. Michaela Kritzenberger.
- Special features: RENPRO is a customized training program that focuses on renal research. The RENPRO modules focus on content specific to renal research that expands and develops students’ qualifications. Participation is mandatory for the doctoral candidates in TRR 374. Further information about the training program is available here.
- Doctoral programs with similar topics: IZKF Erlangen: Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research
- Points of contact at FAU: Prof. Dr. rer. nat., Dr. habil. med. Christoph Daniel
- Information about the program
Research Training Group for Human Rights and Ethics in Geriatric Medicine
- Keywords: Human rights, ethics, medicine, the elderly, autonomy, medical law
- Doctoral title: Dr. phil., Dr. med., Dr. jur.
- Language of degree program: German
- Program duration: 3.5 years
- How to apply: Information about any new calls for applications is available on the group’s website.
- Special features: No strict time limit, financial support from the Josef and Luise Kraft Foundation (Munich), mentoring with tandem supervision by two people (interdisciplinary), cooperation with various institutions: Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nuremberg (CHREN), Clinical Ethics Committee at Uniklinikum Erlangen (KEK), etc.
- Points of contact at FAU and information about the program:
- Information about the program