Max Planck Society

Biohub and the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (MPG), represented by the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) and the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS), invite applications for the Global Science Scholars program, a three year international postdoctoral fellowship program between the U.S. and Germany designed to advance excellence in bioengineering and biomedical research by supporting early-career researchers to advance their careers and conduct groundbreaking science in U.S. and German research labs.

The Global Science Scholars program is a three-year postdoctoral fellowship designed to advance early-stage careers and catalyze groundbreaking science globally. We are seeking to support cutting-edge science in bioengineering and biomedical domains, as well as interdisciplinary projects bridging experimental and theoretical science in the areas of molecular and cell biology, biophysics, mathematics and computer sciences. The program aims in particular to support people who are committed to pursuing three years of research outside of their degree-granting country. We encourage applications from individuals who have recently earned a doctoral degree to conduct research in a world-class lab in Germany or the U.S.. We welcome applicants whose postdoctoral research aspirations align with open positions within the Biohub and MPG research ecosystems, as described in the application details below.

Biohub builds the technology to help scientists around the world use AI-powered biology to study how cells operate, organize, and work as part of systems to understand why disease happens and how to correct it. Global Science Scholars in residence in the United States will conduct research activities at a Biohub partner university.

The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (MPG) is a world-leading basic research organization dedicated to scientific excellence and intellectual independence. In Dresden (Germany), the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) and the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS) unite biology and physics to address a central challenge: how cells self-organize to form complex living systems. By integrating molecular and cell biology with quantitative physics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence, the institutes provide an interdisciplinary environment designed to uncover the fundamental principles that govern life.

We encourage applications from researchers who have earned a doctoral degree on or after March 1, 2022, and are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research at the forefront of biology and technology in a program that builds connections between the U.S. and Germany. The Biohub in the U.S. and the MPG in Germany aim to support scholars in residence for three years at a top research institute outside of the candidate’s own degree-granting country (i.e., Germany or the U.S.).

There are two types of fellowships:

1. Global Science Scholars in residence in Germany: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to early-career applicants who have recently earned their doctoral degree and wish to conduct research activities at a German research institution with selected research leaders (see list with bios). Candidates must have received their doctoral degree on or after March 1, 2022. For placement in Germany, the applicant must have received their doctoral degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution and must be eligible for a Schengen visa.
2. Global Science Scholars in residence in the U.S.: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to early-career applicants who have recently earned their doctoral degree and wish to conduct research activities at a Biohub partner university (in San Francisco, Chicago, or New York areas) with selected research leaders (see list with bios). Candidates must have received their doctoral degree on or after March 1, 2022. For placement in the U.S., the applicant must have received their doctoral degree from a German degree-granting institution and must be eligible for a U.S. visa.

Participating research fields:

• Organoids and Emerging Model Systems
• Biomolecular Condensates
• Topological Mathematics
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Soft and Active Matter Physics and Chemistry
• Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering

We seek Global Science Scholars who will enthusiastically contribute to and benefit from a highly collaborative, dynamic, and interdisciplinary environment.

• We strive to create the opportunity to learn from, collaborate with, and interact with the community of Global Science Scholars and associated labs. We value empathy, collaboration, and diverse – including global – perspectives.
• Our mission is at the interface of technology and science. We work together to imagine and create solutions that drive science forward.
• We support open science values and principles. To accelerate scientific discovery and collaboration, we support a consent, sharing, and publication policy for open and rapid dissemination of research results and a policy for software development that maximizes accessibility, reuse, and shared development.

All application deadlines and dates are based on Pacific Time.

Funding is for three years for the fellowship in residence in Germany and for three years for the fellowship in residence in the U.S. Each Global Science Scholar fellowship includes:

• Financial Support:
  • Each postdoctoral fellowship in the U.S. is supported by a stipend of $75,000 USD per year and up to $5,000 USD on the first and third year of the Scholars’ term (up to $10,000 in total over the course of three years) to offset the cost of relocation for the first and final year of the fellowship.
  • Each postdoctoral fellowship in Germany is supported by a full-time employment contract in accordance with public tariff system (TVöD Bund, salary scale EG13), of EUR 73,000 per year and up to EUR 5,000 on the first and third year of the Scholars’ term (up to EUR 10,000 in total over the course of three years) to offset the cost of relocation for the first and final year of the fellowship.
• Institutional benefits (may vary by institution).
  • For U.S. institutions, postdoctoral fellowships will be employed by the relevant university, and benefits will vary according to their policies.
  • For MPG Institutes, these include social benefits, pension scheme, health insurance, 30 days annual leave, and discounted public-transport job ticket
• Travel funds to participate in a required scientific convening associated with the fellowship program (up to $8,000 USD or EUR 8,000). Unused convening funds may be applied for travel and/or fees associated with a conference or course, as approved for the Scholar by the Scholar’s respective PI.

• Degree:
  • Candidates must have a doctoral degree conferred by August 1, 2026.
  • Candidates must be eligible to start their fellowship position (including providing proof of doctoral degree conferral) by August 1, 2026. Candidates may apply while their doctoral degree is in progress. If selected and a candidate’s start is delayed due to visa processing, their start date may be postponed accordingly beyond August 2026.
  • Because the Global Science Scholars program is an early-career fellowship, candidates must not have received their doctoral degree before March 1, 2022. Biohub and MPG will make exceptions to these criteria in cases of institutionally approved career breaks, e.g., family or medical leave, etc. (if this applies to you, please contact sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com).
• Engagement and Language Proficiency: Applicants must be available to participate in program activities. Applicants must have a level of English proficiency sufficient to conduct research and communicate effectively in English.
• Country of Degree: For placement in the U.S., the applicant must hold a doctoral degree from a German degree-granting institution. For placement in Germany, the applicant must have received their doctoral degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution.
• Visa and Employment: For placement in the U.S., the applicant must be eligible to receive a U.S. visa. For placement in Germany, the applicant must be eligible to receive a Schengen visa. In the U.S., successful candidates will be hired by the relevant partner university within the U.S., and the international visitor/postdoc office of the partner university will assist each successful applicant with the visa process. In Germany, successful candidates will be employed by the MPG, and the international office at the hosting Max Planck Institute in Dresden will assist with the visa process and other formalities to ensure a smooth relocation to Germany.

All applications must be completed and submitted through the online grants management portal. All application materials must be submitted in English. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this portal well in advance of the application deadline. Applications require two letters of recommendation, and you will be unable to submit your application until both are received in the application portal, so please plan ahead. Detailed application instructions below.

To complete and submit an application:

• Go to https://apply.chanzuckerberg.com.
• Register and/or log in.
• Click on the Programs link in the upper right corner.
• Find the Global Science Scholars Program RFA and click More.
• Click the green Apply button in the upper right corner.
• Enter the title of your application, after which you will have access to the application tasks to complete. Please enter your name (first name last name) as the application title.
• Complete the sections below and submit by no later than 2 p.m. Pacific Time on May 20, 2026.

The application consists of the following sections (called tasks in the grants portal): Applicant Details, Lab/Project Selection, Research Summary, Full Curriculum Vitae (CV), Letters of Recommendation, and Confirmation for the Handling of Personal Information.

Applicant Details:

• • Name and email (auto-filled): To edit your name or email, please do so in your account information by clicking your name in the upper right corner and clicking My Account in the dropdown menu.
  • Conferral date of doctoral degree (actual or anticipated): format MM/DD/YYYY
  • Degree-granting institution for doctoral degree
  • Country location for doctoral degree institution
  • Current title
  • Current institutional affiliation
  • Professional goals and career plans after the Fellowship (200 words maximum)
  • ORCID iD: Enter in format XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX. (ORCID iDs are unique, digital identifiers that distinguish individual scientists and unambiguously connect their contributions to science over time and across changes of name, location, and institutional affiliation. For more information and to register, please visit https://orcid.org/register.)
• Lab/Project Selection:
  • Which fellowship are you applying to?
  • Postdoctoral fellowship in residence in United States (Germany -> U.S.)
  • Postdoctoral fellowship in residence in Germany (U.S. -> Germany)
  • Lab Selection: Use the dropdown menu to rank your first, second, and third choice labs. Only select labs that are relevant to your application. If fewer than three labs apply, leave the additional fields blank. Please find the list of PI labs (here).
• Research Summary:
  • • Research Summary: List your three most important scientific contributions to date (e.g., peer-reviewed publication citations) and impact statement for each (150 words maximum).
      • For publications, include Authors, Title, Journal Title, Date, Vol(no), Page Numbers.
      • Link/URL if available (optional). Use format https://example.org.
      • Describe the impact of the contribution (150 words maximum).
• Full Curriculum Vitae (CV): Upload your full CV in PDF format; font must be 11 point or larger and margins must be at least 0.5 inches (top, bottom, left, and right) for all pages (letter size). No page limit. The CV should include: Education, Relevant Experience (research and teaching, including institution and supervisor), Publications, Presentations (oral or poster), Honors/Awards.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two separate letters of recommendation are required from different individuals. Letters must be uploaded directly by each recommender. A physical signature is required on each. You will be unable to submit your application until both letters of recommendation are received, so please plan ahead. Recommenders may be current or former advisors, supervisors, or collaborators and should comment on their association with the candidate (how they know the candidate), the candidate’s track record of scholarly contributions to date, and the potential of the candidate to make a lasting positive impact through research. Applicants will invite a recommender to submit a letter via the application portal. Once you submit a name and contact information, the recommender will receive an invitation. We also recommend that you communicate with your recommender separately to ensure they are aware of the invitation and the process for submitting their letter. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure recommenders submit their letters on time and according to format. Biohub/MPG will not be following up on invitations sent where no letter is submitted.
  • Select the “Request a Recommendation”. (Note: this process will need to be done twice- once for each recommender):
    • Enter first name, last name, and email address of the person you would like to request the recommendation from. In the message section, enter the date by which you would like them to submit their recommendation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure recommenders submit their letters on time and according to format. You will get an email confirmation when a reference submits their recommendation, and you can track the status in the portal as well. You will be unable to submit your application until both letters of recommendation are received, so please plan ahead.
    • Click Send Request.
    • To withdraw or delete your request, select the three dots on the right-hand side and select withdraw request. Once you have selected the withdrawal request, click the three dots on the right-hand side and select delete request. You can then request another recommendation after one has been deleted.
• Confirmation for the Handling of Personal Information: We may share your application materials with our affiliates and partners for the purpose of evaluating your candidacy for the fellowship program. These include Biohub, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative LLC, The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, members of the selection committees, and principal investigators who may host Global Science Scholars at partner universities or institutes. We will require all recipients to maintain the confidentiality of your materials and to handle them in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

We will evaluate all applications for scientific merit and will seek independent expert review. ​Final decisions will be made by program staff in consultation with our scientific advisors. There is no expectation of any specific number of awards, and we reserve the sole right not to recommend the funding of any applications. Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on decisions for unfunded proposals.

The selection of awardees will be based on:

• The potential of the candidate to contribute to building research networks between Germany and the United States.
• Alignment to the Participating Research Fields, as noted above
• The potential of the candidate to contribute to the promotion of excellent research with translational and societal impact, as determined by the potential host Principal Investigator (PI)
• The potential of the awardee to contribute to and benefit from a collaborative interdisciplinary network
• The approval of the candidate by the potential host PI
• The balance of research fields, institutions, and PI labs

All submitted applications that are not selected for funding will be kept confidential, except (1) as necessary for our evaluation or to comply with any applicable laws; and (2) to the extent that the application is made public or available to others without a duty of confidentiality through no fault of Biohub, MPG or our partner organizations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain information, including brief summaries of the proposed projects, project metrics, and types of organizations that have applied for funding, may be made publicly available in aggregate form. Proposals that are selected for funding may be made publicly available and/or shared with other grantees or collaborators. Application materials will not be returned to applicants.

Personal data: Where we ask for personal data of individuals in grant applications, please only submit personal data that you have the right to provide. We will use and store any personal data collected through the application process for grant-related purposes (e.g., administering the grant, analyzing and improving our grant practices). The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, LLC and Biohub (collectively “CZI”), and MPG will be the “data controllers” for any such personal information, and the data may be stored on servers outside of your home country, including within the United States. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our privacy practices or the collection or use of personal data, you can contact us at privacy@chanzuckerberg.com.