Recruiting labs/ Doctoral positions

What is the LSM? The LSM (Life Science Munich Graduate School) is an international doctoral institution of Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (LMU).

What does the LSM offer? The LSM offers an international doctoral programme in life sciences spanning a wide range of disciplines including Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Plant Sciences, Zoology, and more.

What degree does the LSM award? The LSM awards the German doctoral degree Dr. rer. nat., which is equivalent to a PhD but legally not identical.

Are there tuition fees? There are no tuition fees for the LSM doctoral programme. However, all students must be matriculated at LMU, which requires a semester fee of approximately €144 per semester.

Are doctoral students financially supported? Successful applicants receive a doctoral position generally funded through the supervisor's third-party research funds or a scholarship. The programme also provides financial support for conferences, transferable skills courses, methods courses, and social events.

Where can I find the full list of LSM faculty members? The full list of LSM faculty members is available on our Faculty page.

Are interviews held in person or online? Since 2020, all LSM interview days have been held online via Zoom.

What are the entry requirements? Applicants must hold a Master of Science degree (MSc) or equivalent. In exceptional cases, a Bachelor's degree with Honours (4-year degree, min. 240 ECTS, with written thesis) is accepted. Your degree does not need to be completed at the time of application, but must be awarded before starting the studies. The programme is taught entirely in English — proficiency in written and spoken English is expected.

My English language certificate is outdated. Can I still upload it? Yes, please upload your most recent certificate even if it is a few years old.

Do I need to upload a CV? Yes, a CV must be uploaded in the Profile/CV section of the online application tool.

Can I apply while still completing my degree? Yes. You may apply before your degree is completed, provided it is awarded by 30 September of the year your doctoral studies begin.

My academic documents are not in English or German. Do I need a translation? Yes, translations into English or German must be submitted alongside your original documents. Certified translations are not required at the application stage, but may be requested during interviews or upon matriculation. Documents in Catalan, Danish, Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Romanian, Icelandic, or Latin do not require notarization or official translation.

I am studying abroad and cannot access some required documents. Can I submit them later? Late document submissions are only accepted in exceptional cases. Please contact the LSM office to discuss your situation.

How and when can I apply? Applications must be submitted online through the LSM Online Application Tool, which opens annually on 1 September. Applications submitted by mail, email, or outside the application window will not be considered.

What should I write in the first essay — Letter of Motivation? Please describe why you chose to apply to the LSM doctoral programme specifically, how you will benefit from it, how the LSM will benefit from having you, and why you wish to pursue a doctoral thesis in your selected research group.

What should I write in the second essay — Motivation for Selected Research Project? Please describe your scientific skills, methodologies, and techniques in essay form — not as a CV — and explain how they match with your selected project.

Can I apply to a lab that has no advertised position this round? No. Unfortunately, not all LSM members offer open positions every year. Please visit the lab's website directly to check for independent openings. If a position is available, you may contact the LSM office to discuss your options.

Can I choose a research group not listed on the LSM website? No. Only research groups actively participating in the LSM doctoral programme may be selected. TAC members, however, do not need to be affiliated with LSM-participating institutes — with the exception of the direct supervisor.

How do I know my referees have been contacted? Your referees are contacted automatically as soon as you click "Save" on the References page. You will receive a notification once each referee has submitted their letter. Please double-check the spelling of referee email addresses carefully.

Can I submit existing recommendation letters directly? No. All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically by the referees themselves through the LSM online system. Referees will also be asked to complete a short evaluation form, which takes very little time.

Can I edit my application after submitting it? No. Once submitted, your application cannot be amended. You may edit and save your application as many times as needed before clicking "Save and Submit." After submission, only your name, password, and email address can be updated.