PhD-MD/PhD Doctorate - How to Apply
Applications for the Translational Biomedicine PhD-MD/PhD Doctorate should be addressed to the Chairperson of the Joint Committee and
sent as a single pdf document to the
Office for Doctoral Affairs. Applications must include the following documents and information:
1. Cover Letter to the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Prof. Dr. Thomas Mittmann
2. Description of the proposed research project. The description may not exceed five pages (without reference list) and should be structured as follows:
- Title
- Summary
- State of the art and preliminary work
- Objectives
- Work program including a Gantt chart timeline for a three-year thesis (three pages; advanced doctoral candidates please submit four pages with preliminary results)
- Reference list
3. CV and all educational and professional activities in reverse chronological order, publications, awards, special promotions (e.g. scholarships), social skills
4. Letters of recommendation from the two supervisors of whom at least one must be
"Principal Investigator" of the PhD-MD/PhD Doctorate. In each letter of recommendation, detailed information must be provided about the academic ability and aptitude of the candidate in terms of the planned research project. Please note that the supervisors must not belong to the same clinical department/institute.
-> If laboratory animals are used, the letter of recommendation from the first supervisor must state whether the respective animal experimentation approval is available. 5. Names of two mentors. The mentors accompany you during your PhD doctorate. They should be (at least) Postdocs and not belong to the same research group than you in order to avoid possible conflicts of interest. The primary aim is to provide personal and professional advice during your time as a PhD candidate, to pass on experiences, to build networks or to deal with problematic situations.
6. Official, certified copies of certificates and reports relating to previous final degrees
- Proof of the following is required for application: a minimum overall grade of "good" (≤ 2.5) or equivalent level using the ECTS grading system of completed study of a minimum of 8 semesters of regular study of natural or engineering science at a German university or comparable foreign university or equivalent academy that qualifies for the acceptance of a doctorate; or a minimum overall grade of "good" (< 2.5) or B-level (according to the ECTS grading system) completed Masters degree in natural or engineering science at a German university or college of higher education; or a minimum overall grade of "good" completed study of human medicine in a German or equivalent foreign university.
For applicants with foreign master certificates:7. Proof of proficiency in the English language. The required English skills are normally demonstrated by the successful completion of standardized tests based on the language proficiency levels of Europe and the UNIcert system. The usual frame of reference for level of performance is passing the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum of 60 points (or the IELTS test with level B1). Exceptions are for English native-speaking applicants and those who can provide proof of their German "Abitur".
8. A signed statement that the
"Ordinance for the safeguarding good scientific practice" (Pdf, 247,8 KB) of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has been read and understood in its current version and that its fundamental principles will be observed during scientific work.