The Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine offers
Multiple PhD positions in Cutting-Edge Heart Research (m/f/d)
The DFG-funded Research Unit FOR6051 ‘The Interstitium: a Key Determinant of Cardiac Function’, an innovative collaborative network involving 16 leading research teams at five German Universities, is seeking to fill 7 PhD positions, based at Freiburg and Göttingen. Funding is available from July 2026 for up to 4 years, with salary levels according to nationally agreed pay scales (TV-L 13).
FOR6051 investigates the role of the interstitium for cardiac electrical and mechanical activity and tissue homeostasis, using a broad range of state-of-the-art molecular, (epi-)genetic, proteomic, cell-biological and systems-level approaches to characterise interstitial cell populations, extracellular matrix, and their interactions with cardiac myocytes, neurones and vasculature in health, aging, and disease.
Your qualifications:
We are looking for highly motivated, proactive graduates of biomedical and STEM subjects. Applicants should hold a first or upper-second class MSc and demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and evidence of successful research project implementation. They should combine personal drive with the ability to work as members of a team, collaborating effectively with other FOR6051 members. Excellent written and communication skills in English (at B2 level or better) are required.
We offer:
We offer an exciting research topic at the frontier of cardiac science, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and a like-minded, international, low-hierarchy community that combines interdisciplinary research in biophysics and biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and medical research with respect and support for one-another.
The IEKM offers a 3-year 65% PhD position.
If this sounds interesting to you – come and see more detail on open positions and the application process at https://uni-freiburg.de/for6051/.
Applications for PhD studentships will be processed via the FOR6051 Track of the International Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM) and must therefore be submitted via the SGBM submission portal (FOR6051 Track). The application deadline is 07 June 2026.
