Frequently Ask Questions

Application Process

Do you accept applications via email?

While some of our researchers may accept applications via email (e.g., for student / research assistant positions), we ask you to submit applications directly through our job portal (https://career.cispa.de/jobs). Please do not submit documents directly to applications[at]cispa.de or other addresses. From our experience, most of those applications are incomplete, thus cannot be further processed.

In which language should I apply?

We only accept applications in German and English, but prefer English applications for research positions. 
As a rule of thumb: If the job ad is in English, go for English; if it is in German, go for German.

How long till my application is evaluated? 

Applications usually take up to a month to process but, circumstantially, can go until two months or more.

What happens if I am rejected? Can I apply again?  

Of course! Please note, however, that applications for the same position within 3 months of rejections are not considered but you can apply for a different position and it will be assessed independently of your previous applications.

What documents do I need to submit?

It may differ position to position, but almost all require your cover letter, CV, and transcript of records / degree certificates. Depending on the positions, enrollment certificate may be required, too.

How many Letters of Recommendation should I add?

It is not a mandatory field in the form so you may choose to upload as many or none at all.

Does CISPA reach out to my references?

It depends on the position and prospective supervisor (Faculty or Department Head) whether they wish to reach out to your references. 

• For faculty positions, we will solicit letters from the suggested references.
• For research positions in general, it will expedite the process if you submit reference letters. Otherwise, we may reach out to the suggested references.
• For positions in administration or science support, we usually do not ask for contacts to references, but ask for the submission of employers' references (Arbeitszeugnisse).

Generally, we will not reach out to someone who you did not suggest yourself.

If I don't see my preferred position advertised, does it mean they have no openings?

Yes.

I have more general questions about CISPA? Where can I find more information?
You can browse our main website, www.cisp​a.de, or the the general FAQ.

PhD / doctoral studies

Can I apply for PhD without a Master's Degree?

Absolutely! In fact, if you have a stellar track-record, you could even apply whilst you complete your Bachelor's. In that case, you may be part of a) the preparatory phase  Saarland University's Graduate School of Computer Science towards a fast-track PhD degree, or b) obtain your Master's degree and work with CISPA as student assistant.

From which semester can I start applying?

• Masters: While we do not have restrictions on your current semester of study, especially for candidates with strong academic background or experience in research, most applicants find more success applying in their final year of studies.   
• Bachelors: You do have to have a completed degree or be in your last semester.

How long till my application is evaluated?

Applications usually take up to a month to process but, circumstantially, can go until two months or more.

Is there a deadline for submission?

This depends on the post. For research positions, there are either (a) General Calls - e.g. for PhD students, internships and Tenure-Track Faculty - that have deadlines in their respective description. In addition, you will find (b) positions that are dedicated to a specific research group. Once all the open positions are filled, the offer will be taken offline.  

For jobs in science support, administration or infrastructure, there are always dedicated posts, sometimes with and sometimes without deadlines.

How is the PhD program structured?

The standardized structure in Germany can be read about here. Since most of our students are also registered with Saarland University, the specifics can be familiarized with on their website.

In what areas of research can I do my PhD (or BSc and MSc thesis)?

You can to your PhD in all areas that fall into the following research areas at CISPA:

Research Internships

What types of internships does CISPA offer?

CISPA offers two main types of internships:

1. CISPA Summer Research (CSR) Internship Program. The CSR Internship Program is a coordinated annual call for summer internships. It is designed primarily for students enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s programs in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunications, or related fields.
   The CSR program may also include special calls, which are targeted opportunities developed with strategic partners, focused on specific regions, or dedicated to particular research themes. Each special call may have additional eligibility requirements.
2. Ad-hoc Research Internships: CISPA faculty and researchers may occasionally advertise project-based, ad-hoc internships. These positions are posted directly by research groups and are not part of the coordinated CSR call. Ad-hoc internships may be open to Master’s graduates and doctoral students too, depending on the project and funding framework.

Who is eligible for the CSR Internship Program? 

The CSR Internship Program is open to students interested in a voluntary research internship at CISPA, who are:

• enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s programs (BSc, BEng, BTech, MSc, MEng, MTech) in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunications, or equivalent,
• and who have, at the start of the internship program, completed at least four semesters of study in their study program.

Applicants who have already completed their Master’s or doctoral degree are not eligible for the CSR Program. They may instead consider applying for an ad-hoc research internship.

I already have my Master’s or Doctoral degree. Can I apply to the CSR Internship Program?

Unfortunately, the CISPA Summer Research (CSR) internship program is specifically for enrolled students only who have not yet completed their Bachelor or Master studies and thus qualify for a study-related internship.

„[…] be enrolled at an eligible institution”? What does "eligible" mean? 

Eligible means that your institution as well as foreign degrees from your institution are formally recognized in Germany, which is particularly import for visa processing. You can find an overview with which you can check your home institution here: https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html. Unfortunately, this website is available only in Germany. We recommend following this tutorial to navigate the Anabin database. 

Please note that if your institution is explicitly sanctioned by the European Union (see EU sanctions tracker), be aware that visa processing may prove challenging.   

What is the salary for CSR interns? 

CSR interns receive a monthly gross salary between 2,362.62 EUR and 2,465.75 EUR. The exact amount depends on whether you have already obtained a Bachelor’s degree and the number of workdays per month (e.g., whether statutory holidays apply).  This salary range applies to CSR interns enrolled at eligible institutions. Ad-hoc internships may follow different funding schemes.

Why do I need extra health and accident insurance?

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Depending on the funding program, accident insurance may also be required. Some international students already have insurance that covers stays abroad; otherwise, German insurance providers offer special rates for foreign students.

You can find helpful information on health insurance options for international students here.

I don’t have a passport yet. Can I still apply?

Yes. Submitting a copy of your passport helps expedite administrative and visa processing, but it is not mandatory at the time of application. However, please note the following:

• Citizens of EU and EEA member states, as well as citizens of Switzerland, do not require a passport to enter or reside in Germany. A valid national identity card (Personalausweis) is sufficient for travel and identification within the Schengen Area
• All other applicants (including citizens of non-EU/EEA countries) must hold a valid passport to enter Germany and complete visa formalities. We strongly recommend that such applicants begin the passport application process early, as processing times may vary significantly depending on the issuing country.

Where will my internship take place?

The location of the internship depends on the location of the hosting research group. Most CISPA researchers are based in Saarbrücken and St. Ingbert (in the state of Saarland, Germany), where CISPA’s head quarter is located. However, some CISPA faculty members also lead research groups in other German cities and federal states, i.e., Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia), Hannover (Lower Saxony), and Stuttgart (Baden-Württemberg).

Can I apply for multiple projects?

The CSR Internship Program is not project-based, so there are no individual projects to apply for. However, CSR may feature special calls, which are targeted opportunities developed with strategic partners, focused on specific regions, or dedicated to particular research themes. Each special call has its own eligibility criteria and requirements, and applicants interested in one should select it in the application form. Please note that each student can apply only once: either to one special call or to the general CSR program.

If you are interested in a specific research group or project, we recommend watching for  ad-hoc postings by CISPA researchers.

I do not study at a CIRCLE partner university. Can I apply for the CSR special call?

In principle, yes. We are always looking for outstanding colleagues. But keep in mind that for this particular program, priority will be given to candidates from CIRCLE partner universities.

What is living in Saarland like?

You can find detailed information about life in Saarbrücken and on the university campus here:

• https://saarland-informatics-campus.de/en/studium-studies/uni-life/
• https://www.stw-saarland.de/en/

Our Onboarding & Integration Team also provides practical advice for international visitors, including information on immigration and living in the Saarland region: https://international.cispa.de

Thesis at CISPA

Who can write a thesis with CISPA supervision?
Students enrolled at one of our partner universities (Saarland University, Leibniz University Hannover, University of Hamburg, and TU Dortmund) can write a thesis with CISPA supervision.

How do I write a thesis with CISPA?
Check out our research topics and find possible supervisors via our recommender system on the Thesis x CISPA website. Submit the short web form on that website to let us know you’re interested in a thesis with CISPA supervision. We will then get back to you to discuss your thesis topic. 

When can I let you know that I am interested?
There are two official deadlines per year. The next deadline is shown here.

I missed a deadline. What can I do?
Don’t worry. You can use the web form to get in touch with us any time.

How do I register my thesis with CISPA at my university?
Once you have found a CISPA supervisor and a topic for your thesis, your thesis needs to be registered at your university. CISPA will provide you with more detailed information on this process.

Why should I write a thesis with CISPA? 
There are many reasons why you should write your thesis with us:

• Become a part of groundbreaking research: You'll dive into cutting-edge topics and work closely with world-class researchers who can pave your way into the international scientific community.
• Make your work count: Your thesis could contribute to publications and be presented at top-tier conferences around the world.
• Get recognized for excellence: Theses supervised by CISPA are eligible for the **CISPA Best Thesis Award**—as well as awards granted by other institutions.

I have some further questions. How can I get in touch?
Just send an email to thesis@cispa.de. We’re happy to answer your questions!