Application

An informal letter of intent, in which you describe your academic aptitude, your academic and professional interests, and your future career goals.

Proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, or equivalent).

A letter of recommendation from your future supervisor (a habilitated member of the JLU Giessen) that must include the topic of the proposed research and a guarantee of supervision as a PhD student, verification that employment and laboratory space is available, confirmation of financial research support, and a proposal for an additional individual for your supervisory committee (co-supervisor; a qualified university lecturer or Professor who cannot be a member of the same department as your primary supervisor). External applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a professor of their own university who is familiar with their previous academic work and who can judge their potential as a PhD student.

A detailed description of the planned research project, indicating the most important aspects of the current state of research, is also necessary. From this description, it should be apparent that the intended research is designed to make a significant scientific contribution. A time plan for the project, which has been coordinated with your supervisor, should also be submitted.

A statement, in which you declare that you have received the current version of the “Justus Liebig University Giessen Statute of good scientific practice” („Satzung der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis“) and that you will adhere to and incorporate the principles of these statutes in your scientific work, is required.

A statement, in which you declare whether your thesis will be written in English or in German, is also necessary.