European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
EMBL International PhD Programme
The EMBL International PhD Programme is the doctoral programme of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Europe's intergovernmental laboratory for the life sciences. Running since 1983, it recruits twice a year for PhD positions at EMBL's six sites across Europe, from Heidelberg to Hinxton, and pays its students as predoctoral fellows. Applicants of any nationality apply once to the whole programme and are matched to research groups through a series of interviews.
- Level
- PhD
- Study or work in
- Europe (EMBL sites in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom)
- Who can apply
- Any nationality (member states have priority when equally qualified), with a degree that qualifies for PhD entry where it was earned, and fluent English; no age limit
- What it covers
- A predoctoral fellowship with a salary EMBL calls internationally competitive, with health care and a pension
- Length
- 3.5 years at first, with a possible half-year extension
- Application window
- Two rounds a year (winter 2027: 1 September to 12 October 2026, references by 14 October; interviews to early February)
Open now (1)
- Fully Funded PhD Positions in Life SciencesEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) · Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Hinxton, Rome · Closes 12 October 2026
How to apply
Apply through the online portal by the deadline, with at least two academic referees who submit by two days later; there is no fee. Screening interviews and a 30-minute virtual panel follow, and up to two candidates per position are invited to in-person interviews at the sites.
What the programme offers
Students are employed as EMBL predoctoral fellows. The fellowship is first awarded for three and a half years and can be extended by half a year; the average thesis takes about four years. EMBL describes the pay as competitive by international standards, with broad benefits including health care and a pension, but the programme's pages do not publish a figure.
Training starts with a nine-week core course in molecular biology in Heidelberg in the first year, followed by a one-week bioinformatics module in the second year and a career development module in the third. Each student has a thesis advisory committee of their EMBL supervisor, two further EMBL advisers and a university adviser, which meets every year. Students can also use EMBL's complementary skills training and its career service for fellows.
Where the degree comes from
EMBL students register with a university of their choice, which awards the PhD. They can also take a joint PhD degree from EMBL and one of its partner universities in the member states, which rests on EMBL's own authority to award a doctorate.
Because students come from many countries and the degree comes from a university, the programme does not ask for a particular national qualification: applicants need a degree that would formally qualify them to start a PhD in the country where they earned it.
Who can apply
EMBL welcomes highly qualified applicants of all nationalities, although if candidates are equally qualified priority goes to those from member states. There is no strict age limit, and EMBL has profiled students who began their PhD at 19 and others who came to it later in life. Applicants must be fluent in English, but no GRE, IELTS or TOEFL scores are needed.
The programme looks well beyond biology. EMBL encourages applicants with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, mathematics, molecular medicine, computer science or engineering, and about 85 percent of its current students came from biology. Applications are judged only on qualifications and scientific potential, and anyone who has worked at EMBL in the twelve months before the deadline is reviewed separately.
Two rounds a year
The programme recruits twice a year, in winter and summer rounds across all six sites. For the winter 2027 round, applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close at 23:59 CET on 12 October 2026, with references due by 14 October. Successful candidates start by October 2027 at the latest.
EMBL charges no fee at any stage. Applications go only through the online portal; applications sent by email are rejected.
How selection works
- Online application. Complete the online form by the deadline (12 October 2026 for winter 2027), and have at least two academic referees submit references by 14 October.
- Written evaluation and screening. Faculty review the written applications; results come in mid to late October, and screening interviews run online from 27 October to 13 November 2026.
- Virtual Panel Assessment. A formal 30-minute online panel interview with group leaders, on 1 December 2026, against set criteria. Up to two candidates per position go forward.
- In-person interviews. One-to-one interviews and discussions at the EMBL sites (25 to 29 January 2027 at five sites, 1 to 4 February 2027 in Heidelberg). Candidates should bring a short presentation.
- Group preferences and offers. After the interviews candidates give their group preferences, and the Graduate Office sends the outcomes shortly afterwards.
Questions
Can I apply from outside the EMBL member states?
Yes. All nationalities are welcome, though member state applicants have priority when candidates are equally qualified.
Is there an age limit?
No strict age limit.
Do I need an English test?
No. You need fluent English, but no GRE, IELTS or TOEFL scores.
Which university awards the degree?
A university of your choice, where you register; a joint PhD with EMBL and a partner university is also possible.
How long is the fellowship?
Three and a half years at first, with a possible extension of half a year.
How often can I apply?
There are two rounds a year, and unsuccessful applicants can apply again in a later round.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. EMBL charges no fee at any stage.
Related programmes
Sources
Official pages last checked 27 September 2026.