The Unofficial Guide For New DKFZ PhD Students - Welcome and onboarding handbook

Oct 3, 2026

Unofficial handbook for new DKFZ PhD students, prepared by the DKFZ PhD Council and the Welcome Team, and explicitly not an official DKFZ publication. Provides guidance and practical steps from arrival through early administration, including division number/cost center, contracting and human resources visit, obtaining keys, computer ID/VPN, intranet and mailing lists, and contacting the PhD Program Office. Includes health check-up, DKFZ International PhD Program structure and thesis advisory committee overview, mental health support, career services, equal opportunities, and University of Heidelberg registration and enrollment processes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages60

Reading Time2 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Disclaimer

Introduction

Before you arrive

First steps at the DKFZ

Division number/Cost center

Visit Human Resources and sign your contract

Administrative items

Get your key

Computer ID and/or VPN

Central DKFZ contact registry and websites

Intranet, Email and DKFZ mailing lists

DKFZ Casino chip card and/or a University Mensa card

Contact the PhD Program Office to attend the PhD Introduction Meeting

Health check-up

DKFZ International PhD Program

The Thesis Advisory Committee

The PhD Program

Mental Health Guide

DKFZ Career Service & Alumni Relations

Equal Opportunities at DKFZ

University matters

Registration vs. Matriculation/Enrollment

How to register with a faculty of the University of Heidelberg

How to matriculate/enroll at the University of Heidelberg

The Graduate Academy of Heidelberg University

PhD Life at the DKFZ

PhD Teams

Major events at the DKFZ

DKFZ Building Finder

Important Contact Information

Credits

The Unofficial Guide For New DKFZ PhD Students © DKFZ PhD Council, 2025 Disclaimer This document is not an official publication of the DKFZ, but has been put together by the DKFZ PhD Council and the Welcome Team. The DKFZ cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of its content, which was researched by the members of the Welcome Team and Council and is subject to change. For any inquiries about this handbook, please contact the current PhD Council or Welcome Team. Table of Contents Disclaimer....................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................... 1 Before you arrive ........................................................................... 3 First steps at the DKFZ.................................................................. 5 I. Division number/Cost center ........................................................... 5 II. Visit Human Resources and sign your contract...............................6 III. Administrative items........................................................................ 7 a. Get your key ..........................................................................................................7 b. Computer ID and/or VPN ......................................................................................7 c. Central DKFZ contact registry and websites ......................................................8 d. Intranet, Email and DKFZ mailing lists ................................................................8 e. DKFZ Casino chip card and/or a University Mensa card ...................................9 IV. Contact the PhD Program Office to attend the PhD Introduction Meeting .............................................................................................. 10 V. Health check-up ............................................................................ 11 DKFZ International PhD Program ............................................... 12 I. DKFZ International PhD Program ................................................. 12 II. The Thesis Advisory Committee ................................................... 14 III. The PhD Program ......................................................................... 17 IV. Mental Health Guide ..................................................................... 22 a. Internal Support ..................................................................................................22 b. External Support .................................................................................................23 V. DKFZ Career Service & Alumni Relations.....................................26 VI. Equal Opportunities at DKFZ ........................................................ 28 University matters ....................................................................... 29 I. Registration vs. Matriculation/Enrollment ...................................... 30 II. How to register with a faculty of the University of Heidelberg........ 31 a. Faculty of Biosciences .......................................................................................31 b. Faculty of Medicine.............................................................................................34 c. Faculty of Chemistry...........................................................................................37 d. Faculty of Physics ..............................................................................................38 III. How to matriculate/enroll at the University of Heidelberg .............. 39 a. Regular Admission and Enrollment...................................................................39 b. Admission as a “Student in preparation for doctoral studies”(international doctoral researchers only) ............................................................................

FAQs

Who prepared the DKFZ handbook and is it an official DKFZ publication?

It was prepared by the DKFZ PhD Council and supported by the Welcome Team and the DKFZ PhD Program Office. The document states it is not an official DKFZ publication and disclaims responsibility for accuracy.

What early administrative steps are covered before and right after arrival?

The guide covers getting started with division number/cost center, visiting Human Resources to sign the contract, and handling administrative items such as keys, computer ID and/or VPN, intranet/email and DKFZ mailing lists, and related access cards.

What guidance is provided for the DKFZ International PhD Program and support needs?

It outlines the International PhD Program and the Thesis Advisory Committee, explains the PhD Program structure, and includes a Mental Health Guide covering internal and external support, plus career service and equal opportunities information.

Oct 3, 2026

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