The Leibniz Graduate School on Aging (LGSA) has officially launched its 2025 call for PhD applications, offering aspiring researchers an exceptional opportunity to dive into groundbreaking studies on the biology of aging. Hosted jointly by the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) and Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) in Jena, Germany, the program provides an interdisciplinary research platform where curiosity meets innovation.
A Gateway to Cutting-Edge Aging Research
Part of the prestigious Leibniz Association—a top-tier non-university research organization alongside the Max Planck Society and Helmholtz Association—the FLI is at the forefront of investigating the molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms that drive the aging process. LGSA students will join a vibrant international scientific community working to unlock the secrets of healthy longevity.
As a PhD candidate, you will be trained in an environment that encourages both academic excellence and personal growth. Alongside practical laboratory research, the program offers a range of enrichment activities, including lecture series, journal clubs, transferable skills workshops, and language training. Each student is supported by a dedicated thesis committee and personalized career mentorship throughout the program.
Program Highlights
- Fully funded for four years through the LGSA initiative
- Salary based on German TV-L E13, 65% scale with health and social insurance
- Option to rotate through up to three research groups before finalizing a project
- State-of-the-art laboratories and technologies
- Bench fees and access to all required research resources
- Travel grants for national and international conferences
- International, family-friendly work culture with health management support
- Welcome services for international researchers
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to candidates who have completed or will soon complete a Master’s degree or equivalent in Biology, Life Sciences, Biomedicine, or related fields. Strong proficiency in English—both written and spoken—is essential.
Research Project Opportunities
Selected candidates will work with leading scientists in areas including but not limited to:
- Host-microbiome metabolism and aging – Clara Correia-Melo
- Comparative systems biology of aging – Melike Dönertas
- Lifespan extension via partial reprogramming – Christoph Englert
- Cognitive effects of dietary restriction – Maria Ermolaeva
- Mechanisms of neurodegeneration – Janine Kirstein
- TE landscapes in killifish aging – Dario Riccardo Valenzano
- Microbiota–brain–body axis in stroke – Katarzyna Winek
- Histone modifications and immune aging – Claudia Waskow
- Microcephaly and secretory pathway proteins – Christoph Kaether
A full list of projects and details can be found on the LGSA website.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates should begin by reviewing the application guidelines on the official LGSA website (https://jobs.leibniz-fli.de/jobposting/8305c7a23ecd73f22bfcc8fe3e792b6392fe37ce0?ref=homepage) and completing the online application form. The program welcomes applications from all nationalities and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its recruitment practices.
Application Deadline: The last date to apply for the PhD Positions at the Leibniz Graduate School on Aging is July 31, 2025.