6 Fully Funded PhD Opportunities at the University of Freiburg, Germany — 2026
The University of Freiburg in Germany is inviting applications for fully funded doctoral research opportunities across protease research, cancer biology, economics, electrochemical biosensors, composite materials, evolutionary theory and sustainable fuel-cell technology.
The opportunities below span a diverse range of disciplines, including molecular biology, cancer research, economics, electrochemical biosensors, composite materials, evolutionary biology and clean-energy technology.
Important: This list has been filtered based on the application deadlines available as of 20 August 2026. Positions with deadlines on or before 20 August 2026 have not been included.
Doctoral Researcher Positions in Protease Research (m/f/d)
The University of Freiburg is offering doctoral researcher positions within a research programme focused on protease biology and its roles in cancer, immune regulation, apoptosis and hematopoiesis.
Several projects are currently available, including the targeting of cancer-associated proteases for novel theranostic radiopharmaceuticals for pancreatic cancer.
This project will investigate PDAC-specific proteases located on pancreatic tumour or stromal cells. Research methods include expression profiling, proteome analysis, inhibitor and cyclic peptide design, organoid culture and in-vivo models.
Another project investigates DPP9 regulation, substrate recognition and non-catalytic functions, with applications in molecular cell biology, biochemistry and protein interaction networks.
Additional projects examine the role of sub-lethal caspase activity in non-apoptotic cells and the function of aminopeptidases during myelopoiesis using proteomics and single-cell technologies.
View Details & Apply
Doctoral Researcher in Industrial Organization and Competition Economics (m/w/d)
The University of Freiburg is seeking highly motivated doctoral researchers in industrial organization and competition economics under the supervision of Prof. Germain Gaudin.
The research focuses on competition economics using tools from industrial organization and game theory to study strategic interactions among firms, consumers and policymakers.
Potential research topics include competition policy and antitrust economics, market structure and firm behaviour, digital markets and platform economics, innovation and market dynamics, regulation and public policy, consumer behaviour and empirical industrial organization.
Applicants interested in theoretical, empirical or experimental approaches, as well as numerical simulations, are encouraged to apply.
View Details & Apply
Optimization of Carbon Electrode Interfaces for Reagent-Free Electrochemical Detection at the Point of Need
This PhD project within the Electrochemical Biosensors Group focuses on developing robust carbon electrode interfaces for electrochemical multi-analyte detection in human body fluids.
The research combines fundamental surface engineering with translational biosensor development in an interdisciplinary environment.
The project will investigate scalable biofunctionalization strategies to improve the robustness and analytical performance of electrochemical biosensors.
A key objective is to reduce biofouling and improve signal quality in complex biological matrices, supporting the development of reliable sample-to-answer diagnostic applications.
View Details & Apply
Doctoral Researcher within the Marie-Curie Doctoral Training Network “LEGEND”
This doctoral research project investigates how manufacturing defects in composite materials affect their mechanical response under high loading rates.
The research will examine meso- and macro-scale defects such as voids, fibre misalignments, gaps and overlaps between fibre tows, and out-of-plane undulations.
The intended outcome is a first-of-its-kind set of rate-dependent knock-down factors for structural sizing of components subjected to high-rate loads, together with a validated rate-dependent material model.
The project forms part of the wider LEGEND doctoral training network, with several objectives being pursued jointly with partner institutions and other doctoral researchers.
View Details & Apply
PhD Position in Evolutionary Theory (Henshaw Lab)
The Henshaw Lab at the University of Freiburg is seeking a doctoral student to join a primarily theoretical research group working on evolutionary biology, with a particular focus on the evolution of animal behaviour.
The group develops individual-based simulations and mathematical models using approaches such as evolutionary game theory, adaptive dynamics and quantitative genetics.
Doctoral researchers will have considerable freedom to shape the direction of their projects within the laboratory's broad research interests.
View Details & Apply
PhD Position in Electrode/Catalyst Development for PFAS-Free Fuel Cells (m/f/d)
PFAS, often described as “forever chemicals”, are widely used because of their heat resistance and chemical stability. They are also used in proton-conducting membranes and electrodes for fuel-cell technologies.
However, their environmental persistence has created an increasing need for viable PFAS-free alternatives for fuel-cell applications.
The CORAL-HC project investigates hydrocarbon-based ionomers as potential alternatives to PFAS-based materials. Because existing catalyst and electrode architectures cannot simply be transferred to these new materials, fundamental questions remain regarding interactions between catalysts, carbon supports and hydrocarbon ionomers.
The project will use atomic layer deposition (ALD) to design and fine-tune catalysts for hydrocarbon ionomers. ALD enables highly controlled deposition of ultrathin platinum layers and allows systematic investigation of catalyst structure and performance.
View Details & Apply
The University of Freiburg, officially known as Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Founded in 1457, it is one of Germany's oldest universities and has a long tradition in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and technology.
The university consists of 11 faculties and attracts students and researchers from Germany and around the world. According to the supplied source, international students represent approximately 18.2% of the university's student population.
Official name: Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Founded: 1457
Visit Official University Website