Application guide

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted electronically via the online application system. Applications or parts thereof submitted by fax, e-mail or postal mail cannot be considered.

Registration for application is required before 10 July 2010 23:59 CET (GMT + 2 hours) along with general information and contact details of two referees. Referees will be invited to complete an online recommendation form after your registration.

It is important to note that you can submit your application only after we have received two online recommendations. The deadline for application is 20 July 2010 23:59 CET (GMT + 2 hours). We strongly suggest that you register early in order to give your referees sufficient time for sending their recommendation.

Application Guide

1. User account.

Please access the online application system via the provided link in order to create your user account. Ensure that your e-mail address is valid during the entire application process as it will be used for all further communication; it cannot be changed at a later time point. You will immediately receive a password to access your online application form.

2. Registration and recommendation letters.

For registration you are asked to complete your personal and contact information, and the contact details of two referees (institutional e-mail addresses only).

Please make sure to ask your referees before submitting their details whether they are willing to provide a confidential recommendation letter in the context of your application to our PhD program within the given deadline. It is advisable to inform them as well about the date of your registration to avoid accidental removal of our invitation e-mail.

The receipt of a recommendation will be confirmed. In case you have not received the confirmation in good time, please contact your referees directly for clarification. It is your responsibility to make sure that recommendation letters are submitted in time.

3. Application form and supporting documents.

The application form is accessible immediately after registration. You will be asked to complete details on your University education (all University degrees that you are holding or expect to hold when starting your PhD thesis work), your research experience and interests, your motivation and your research and group preferences.

Scanned copies of your University certificates and transcripts of marks (record of study) are part of your application and need to be uploaded. If you already hold one or more University degree at the time of application, please provide the degree certificates and transcripts of marks for each degree (e.g. BSc degree and MSc degree). If your course of study includes intermediate examinations (e.g. Vordiplom, 1st state exam), please provide the respective certificates.

If you are expecting the certificate and/or transcript of your current course of study, please provide a temporary confirmation of the results you obtained so far, and include the latest transcript. Please state when you expect to receive your degree. If appropriate, you might provide certified translations of your documents in addition to the originals.

Applications without the required documents cannot be considered.

4. Review and submission.

After completion of your online application form, you will be able to generate a pdf of your application. Please use this function to ensure the legibility of uploaded documents, replace illegible documents, and save a copy for your reference.

The application system informs you about the status of your application (incomplete vs. complete, number of recommendations received). Submission is possible after you completed all required parts and after we received two online recommendations. No changes can be made after submission. The receipt of your application is confirmed via e-mail. Please do not leave submission of your application to the last minute.