PhD and Research in Germany

Germany offers excellent research opportunities for EU/international PhD students and researchers. Universities and other higher education institutions as well as public- and private-sector non-university research institutions and large research funding organisations support international researchers with postdoctoral jobs and fellowships. Interesting development opportunities for international researchers also exist in research-intensive industry and with small and medium-sized enterprises. Many companies also work closely with universities and research institutions in application-oriented research and development.

Medical student draws atoms on a glass wall in the lab.

Germany`s highly developed Research Landscape

General Information on Research in Germany

Germany enjoys a long tradition of outstanding research and development. These roots begin with Johannes Gutenberg's book printing via Carl Friedrich Benz's automobile and Einstein's Theory of Relativity through to Karlheinz Brandenburg's MP3 format. Moreover, the invention of the refrigerator, the neon lamp, the tram, the glider or the smartcard all go back to the work of German scientists.

More at research-in-germany.org

International researchers work in the laboratory with test tubes.

Path to a PhD

Doing a Doctorate

In Germany some 25,000 graduates successfully complete the doctoral process every year – far more than in any other European country. A doctorate is a decision for life, an investment in your future – but also a time-consuming challenge that needs to be given careful consideration.

Research

Information for Junior Researchers

Germany offers many opportunities for Postdocs: You can become eligible for appointment to a professorship by completing the habilitation process, work as a junior professor or lead a junior research group. Industry also offers alternative career opportunities.

More at research-in-germany.org

Three researchers view content on a laptop in the test lab.

International Experience

Information for Senior Researchers

Germany offers international researchers a diverse research-oriented higher education landscape, globally recognised research institutions and a research-intensive industry that leads the world in many areas.

More at research-in-germany.de

Researcher tests investigative device at the German Aerospace Centre in Cologne.

Finding the Right Institute

Research Institutes

Find out about Germany’s different types of research institutions: universities, universities of applied sciences, non-university research institutes, companies and federal as well as state (Länder) institutions. Profiles of each type of research organisation can be found here.

More at research-in-germany.org

Financing

Research Funding

Research funding in Germany is provided by government bodies, various organisations, including many of the large non-university research institutions, and industry. Here you find a wide selection of funding programmes for international PhD students and researchers.

More at research-in-germany.org

Young researchers analyse substances in the laboratory.

Preliminary Preparation

A Step by Step Guide: DAAD Research Grant Application

Applying to the DAAD Research Grant might look like a daunting task. We have explained the approach on where to start and how to proceed before submitting an online application.