Call for Doctoral applications open at the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM) (m/f/x)

About us:

The Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM) is an international doctoral programme at one of Europe’s leading research universities — Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU). The programme spans a wide range of disciplines including Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Sciences, Zoology, and more. Doctoral candidates join a vibrant, diverse, and truly international research community at the LMU Biocenter in Planegg-Martinsried.

We are looking for you:

in Planegg

Your tasks and responsibilities:

The LSM calls for doctoral applications on a yearly basis, currently open from the 1st of September until the 19th of October 2026.

Available Positions
This year, two pathways are available:
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1. Doctoral Positions
The following doctoral positions are currently available. Please note that for all positions listed below, funding is still in the process of being secured.
Supervisors are committed to supporting promising candidates in identifying and applying for appropriate funding — such as a fellowship, scholarship, or third-party funding.

• Antisense oligonucleotide treatment for MAST3-associated epilepsy — Prof. David Keays, Sensory and Developmental Neuroscience
• Avian Cerebral Organoids — Prof. David Keays, Sensory and Developmental Neuroscience
• Identification and Characterisation of Novel Microtubule Associated Proteins — Prof. David Keays, Sensory and Developmental Neuroscience
• Transcriptional networks shaping the legume root symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia — Prof. Martin Parniske, Plant Genetics
• Harnessing natural genetic resources to defend fruits against insect attack — Prof. Martin Parniske, Plant Genetics
  For full project descriptions, please visit here.
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  2. Independent Research Proposals (new this year)
  A number of LSM faculty members are open to receiving original research proposals in specific areas. Rather than applying to a pre-defined project, candidates develop their own original proposal inspired by the research interests of a participating faculty member. Should a proposal be of interest to the potential supervisor, they would be willing to support the candidate in identifying and applying for appropriate funding — such as a fellowship, scholarship, or third-party funding.
  Participating faculty members and their research areas:
• Prof. Claude Becker — Epigenetics, epigenomics, plant-microbe interactions, biosynthetic gene clusters
• Prof. Alexander Keller — Biodiversity, AI and computer vision, plant-pollinator interactions, ecological genomics
• Prof. Dario Leister — Regulation and improvement of photosynthesis (open to CSC candidates only)
• Prof. Michael Matschiner — Phylogenetics, adaptive radiation, museum and fossil specimens
• Dr. Natascha Turetzek — Arthropod evo-devo, gene duplication, sensory organ diversification, thermal stress
  Full research area abstracts can be viewed here.

Your qualifications:

• Master’s degree (MSc) or equivalent in biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, medicine, or a related discipline
• In exceptional cases, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with Honours (min. 240 ECTS, with written thesis) is accepted
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• The most recent final examination must have taken place no more than four years prior to the date of application
• There are no tuition fees

Benefits:

• An international, multidisciplinary doctoral programme at a world-class research institution
• Individual mentoring and a structured Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)
• A wide range of transferable skills workshops, seminars, and career development opportunities
• Financial support for conferences and scientific events
• A vibrant student community at the LMU Biocenter
• The remunaration is based on the German public sector pay scale (TV-L).
• In addition, you can benefit from the various LMU corporate benefits.

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Contact:

Further information and details about the online application process, requirements, eligibility and recruiting faculty can be found here.

Apply now through our online application portal.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Graduate School Life Science Munich
Nadine Hamze
LMU Munich, Faculty of Biology
Grosshadernerstr. 2
82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany

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