Admission at university

The Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) as well as the graduate school belong to the Leibniz Association - a non-university research organisation equivalent to the Max Planck Society and the Helmholtz Association.

Therefore PhD candidates have to be admitted as PhD candidates to a university. LGSA PhD candidates will receive their PhD degree from that particular university.  

The graduate school is a joint activity of the Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) and the Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) in Jena.  We highly recommend the admission either at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences or the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy of the Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) in Jena. Receiving the degree from another university is possible, if a co-supervisor with an affiliation at that university is available.

After joining the institute, the LGSA coordinator will help you to get admission at university. Further information on admission and enrolment at the Friedrich Schiller University is provided by the Graduate Academy.

Receiving a PhD in Germany

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research provides a brochure on Research in Germany including many questions and answers for PhD students.

A joint project set up by the Qualitätszirkel Promotion (Quality Circle for the PhD), a German network involving 11 graduate schools and institutions has published another very helpful guideline to make PhD supervision more efficient. It contains also a chapter "Before Beginning a Doctorate" dealing with the question:"Should I do a PhD?"

The Graduate Academy Jena has another collection of questions and answers regarding a PhD in Jena.

Preparing your Stay

Our institute is part of the EURAXESS Services Network. We provide free and personalized assistance on the challenges faced by international researchers and their families when relocating.

Our relocation assistant will, upon request, provide specific information on the important steps to take before coming to Germany, as well as after arrival. PhD candidates will receive help obtaining the visa and work permit, to find accommodation and to settle down.

Please do not hesitate to contact our Relocation Assistant.

Claudia Müller

Relocation Assistant
+49 3641 65-6340
claudia.mueller@leibniz-fli.de