Do you hold a BSc degree in life science and are eager to explore the field of ageing research in a cutting-edge and interdisciplinary environment of the Cologne ageing cluster? 

The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research offers a new Master Fellowship programme for excellent and motivated students that wish to learn more about ageing research, while pursuing the Master studies in the Biological Science Master programmes Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience or the Biochemistry Master programme of the University of Cologne. 

Your benefits

Master fellowship holders will be supported with a monthly fellowship of €934 for the duration of their studies (maximum 1.5 years). During their Master thesis project, they will be equipped with a working contract. All admitted students pick a principal investigator of our internationally renowned faculty as student mentor. Being part of the mentor’s group, Master fellows actively engage in scientific and social activities of the chosen group and have regular advisory meetings with their mentor. Thus, already at an early stage of their scientific career, our students have the unique chance to identify the research field they are most passionate about for their future path as PhD student.

Requirements

We encourage highly motivated, outstanding candidates that hold a Bachelor degree in biological sciences, biochemistry or a related subject to apply for the CGA Master fellowship programme. Premise of being awarded with a Master fellowship is the admission to one of the MSc programmes in Biological Sciences (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience) or the MSc programme in Biochemistry of the University of Cologne. Furthermore, all candidates require very good written and spoken English skills.

Please note that an application to one of the MSc programmes at the University is a separate and independent step.

For the relevant MSc programmes in Biological Science (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience), please apply here: https://biologie.uni-koeln.de/studium-lehre/master-of-science/how-to-apply
For the MSc programme in Biochemistry, please apply here: https://bc.uni-koeln.de/master-of-science/application

Master students who have recently started their MSc studies in the Biological Sciences or Biochemistry programmes at the University of Cologne and have received excellent grades during the first subject modules are also welcome to apply!

Application and Admission

Application for the CGA Master fellowship programme will be possible from March 31, 2023 on for Master studies starting in winter term 2023. The application deadline is July 15, 2023.

Please note that the deadline for students applying for the relevant MSc programmes in Biological Sciences (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience) and Biochemistry at the University of Cologne will also be July 15, 2023! Please note that different deadlines for international applicants via uni-assist may apply and are indicated on the websites of the respective MSc programme.

Application for the Master fellowship programme takes place via our online application portal.

For the online application you will be asked to provide the following information:

• Statement on past and current research interest (250 words)
• Statement on motivation to join the Master fellowship programme (250 words)
• Specification of two possible desired mentors (see list of possible mentors in the application portal)
• Indication two academic advisors as referees
• Provision of CV, certificates, transcripts and other supporting documents as separate pdf files
• Disclosure of a study place in one of the above-mentioned Master's programs at the University of Cologne

All candidates will be recruited in August 2023, based on the online profiles and submitted documents. Admitted students can start their Master studies as fellowship holders in October 2023.