Atlas Translational PhD Program

Apply to ATLAS

Our next call for applications will be announced in autumn 2025.

Who can apply?

  • You hold (or expect to hold prior to the start of your PhD) an M.Sc. (or an equivalent degree) in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Life Science, Medicine, Immunology, Computer Science or related fields.

  • You are a motivated researcher with a passion for science.

  • You are able to work well in an international, multi-disciplinary team and also capable of working independently.

  • You possess professional proficiency in both written and spoken English

How to Apply

Please upload all your documents via the application portal:

  • All mandatory documents (CV, letter of motivation, official transcript, and certificate of your master’s degree, if available) must be combined into one pdf file and uploaded on the field "*Resume/ CV" via the application portal.

  • All other additional documents (e.g. reference letters, proof of proficiency in English, grading system of your home university etc) should be combined into one pdf file and uploaded on the field "Additional documents" via the application portal.

  • You can manage/update your application by the end of the submission deadline by clicking on "View Profile" on the top right corner, and then "Jobs Applied".

  • You have to select up to two prefered projects. The projects list can be found here: https://atlas-phdprogram.com/projects-offered.

  • *CV (in reverse chronological order, your latest accomplishment first. Max. 2 pages) 

    • Educational background

    • Postgraduate awards and distinctions (if any).

    • Publications (if any).

    • Research experience, including stays abroad (if any).

  • *Official transcripts of the grades of your master's degree or equivalent degree (in German or English) and degree certificate, if available. Notarised translations are not required at this stage.

  • *Letter of Motivation for the ATLAS PhD program

    • Addressed to the PhD management team.

    • Explaining why you want to join ATLAS, what your research interests are, and what you want to accomplish in the PhD Program.

    • Your preferred projects and why you are interested in them. Please checked the projects offered here.

  • Two reference letters from referees with whom you have worked and that can attest of your scientific abilities.

    • Please upload the reference letters directly on our application portal with your application as an additional document.

    • Only if you are not permitted to provide such letters directly, please ask your referees to send them to us at [javascript protected email address], indicating your full name in the subject of the email.

  • Proof of proficiency in the English language (if available).

  • Grading system of your home university for your master's degree (showing the maximum and passing grade)

*Mandatory

  • For the field “expected annual remuneration package", please fill in “not applicable” since all PhD students will receive a fixed salary and benefits.

  • Please make sure you will agree that both BioNTech and TRON can access your data in the application form. If you disagree, your application will not be further evaluated.

Selection process

  1. Application submission

    Our 3rd Call is closed now. Our next call for applications will be announced in autumn 2025.

  2. Confirmation and pre-selection

    Once the application is submitted, you receive a confirmation email.

    Candidates may login the application portal anytime during the application period to update their application.

    The selection committee (incl. PhD management team and the project supervisors) will review your application and communicate our decision to you after the application deadline.

    Please reassured that all applications will be evaluated thoroughly by our selection committee. The evaluation might take weeks and we would like to ask for your patience.

    The pre-selected candidates will be invited to an online interview with the project supervisor.

  3. Interview days

    Pre-selected candidates will be invited to Mainz, Germany for two-day interviews. During these, we will explain our PhD Program in more detail and you have the opportunity to ask questions. Furthermore, you will meet your potential supervisor(s) to discuss the project(s) they offer. You will also have the chance to meet our current PhD students through informal gatherings.

  4. Final decision

    The selection committee will discuss all pre-selected candidates. Our decision on who will be offered a place in our PhD Program will typically be communicated to you around a week after the interview days.

  5. Welcome to ATLAS

    Congratulations, you are joining us! We very much look forward to working with you.