PhD opportunities
PhD positions in the Translational Sensory & Circadian Neuroscience Unit (MPS/TUM/TUMCREATE) are usually advertised under Jobs. Structured doctoral programmes may provide another route.
Admission to a programme does not guarantee a position working with Prof. Manuel Spitschan. A PhD in the unit depends on a suitable project, supervision capacity and confirmed funding. Funding arrangements differ between programmes, as outlined below.
Structured programmes: 2026 deadlines
Dates initially checked on 26 September 2026 against the linked official pages; the MLST application window was rechecked on 22 October 2026. Check the programme’s current instructions before applying; application deadlines and the year of entry are not necessarily the same.
TUM Medical Life Science and Technology (MLST)
Autumn applications are open until 15 November 2026, 23:59 CET, according to the programme’s published application schedule.
The programme publishes two annual application windows. The corresponding dates for 2026 are:
- Autumn: 15 October–15 November 2026, closing at 23:59 CET. If you need a TUM Guest ID, request it between 1 October and 10 November 2026, 23:59 CET.
- Spring: 15 April–15 May 2026, closing at 23:59 CEST (closed). The Guest ID deadline was 10 May.
Apply through DocGS. MLST does not provide its own funding: the research group must confirm funding, and final admission requires a laboratory position.
MLST application instructions and DocGS access → · Request a TUM Guest ID
Max Planck School of Cognition
Deadline: 1 December 2026, for entry in September 2027. The application window opened on 1 September 2026. The same deadline applies to referees’ submissions.
This is a funded doctoral programme, but admission does not allocate a place in a particular laboratory. Submit the application through the school’s online portal. Its instructions ask applicants to identify potential supervising fellows without contacting them before admission.
Cognition application instructions · Max Planck Schools application dates
IMPRS for the Mechanisms of Mental Function and Dysfunction (IMPRS-MMFD)
This programme is linked to the Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC) in Tübingen. Its two entry routes have different deadlines:
- PhD route: 26 October 2026. Applications opened on 14 September. Applicants must already be enrolled in the GTC doctoral programme; this is not an application for a vacant PhD position.
- Master’s route: 1 December 2026. Applications open on 27 October. This route is for eligible GTC master’s students progressing towards doctoral research.
For selected master’s students, IMPRS funding covers the final master’s semester and first PhD year; subsequent funding comes from the host laboratory. The doctoral route supports students already undertaking their PhD. Discuss the applicable funding arrangements with the programme and host.
IMPRS-MMFD 2026 deadlines · PhD application requirements · Master’s route and funding
External scholarships
For doctoral research in Munich / TUM, eligible applicants can consider the BAYHOST / BTHA Bavaria scholarships for 2027/28. The funding page lists the application deadline, eligible citizenships, award and application routes. A scholarship application is separate from admission to a doctoral programme and agreement on supervision.
Applying
For an advertised PhD position, follow the vacancy notice. For a structured programme, follow its eligibility criteria and application process, including any rules about contacting supervisors. An email to the unit does not replace a programme application.