Research Focus
Molecular Oncology, Immunology, Microbiology
Programme Structure and Funding
This programme is a full-time PhD programme with a duration of 3 years (6 semesters).
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Study location: Munich
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Application period: Enrolment possible throughout the year
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Tuition: Tuition-free; from 2026, a student fee of EUR 97 per semester is payable
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Language of instruction: English
Entry Requirements
Academic background: 1) A Master of Science degree or equivalent in medicine, biology, engineering, psychology or a related discipline; a background in immunology is preferred. Students from the domestic TOP5 universities are given priority. If a student has excellent grades, applicants from other outstanding universities may also be accepted. 2) Excellent research ability in a relevant field (molecular oncology, immunology or microbiology), with at least two years of laboratory research experience. Grade requirements: A Master’s GPA of no less than 3.0 (Merit under the UK standard); Language requirements:
- IELTS >= 7.0
- or TOEFL total score of no less than 100
- Applicants who obtained a Master’s degree from a country where teaching is in English may apply for a language exemption; References: One to two reference letters from the Master’s supervisor
Application Period
Applications are accepted throughout the year
Tuition and Living Costs
Study and Living
- Housing: TUM students under the age of 30 may apply for university accommodation (places are limited); for off-campus renting, the university will provide you with specific information on how best to find housing
- Daily expenses: Living costs in Munich are estimated at around EUR 850 to 1,000 per month
Career Prospects
TUM doctoral graduates in medical life sciences and technology are highly competitive in the global job market thanks to their solid research training, interdisciplinary background and the TUM name: Academia: Undertaking postdoctoral research at leading universities or research institutions worldwide (such as the Max Planck Institutes, the Helmholtz Association, etc.), moving towards becoming an independent principal investigator (PI). Holding positions such as research scientist or core facility specialist at universities or research institutes.
Industry (biomedicine/biotechnology): R&D departments: R&D scientist or project manager positions at pharmaceutical companies (such as Bayer, Roche, Merck), biotechnology companies and medical device companies (such as Siemens Healthineers). Clinical development: participating in the design and management of clinical trials for drugs/devices.
Medical affairs/scientific liaison: bridging research and clinical application. Bioinformatics and data analysis: using specialist skills to process omics data and more.
Healthcare sector: Holding senior positions in the research departments or diagnostic laboratories of hospitals or large medical centres. Serving as scientific advisor or review expert at public health institutions and regulatory agencies (such as EMA, FDA).
Entrepreneurship and consulting: Leveraging TUM’s strong “entrepreneurial university” ecosystem and support to translate research results into start-ups. Joining management consulting firms (especially those specialising in life sciences/healthcare) as consultants.
