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What is iPRACTIS?
The International Clinician Scientist Program iPRACTIS is a structured career development program to support researchers with a foreign medical degree to become Clinician Scientists in Germany, offering a unique opportunity for internationally mobile researchers. Over three years, you will gain experience in translational research while working towards medical degree recognition in Germany.
iPRACTIS is designed for early-career physicians from all disciplines (including dentists) who have completed their medical degree but have not yet completed their specialist training (e.g. 'Facharzt' or residency). The program supports internationally trained researchers aiming to build careers in academic medicine. Over three-years, participants will deepen their research experience on translational research project while working towards integration into the German academic and healthcare system. To achive this, they receive clinical and research training, mentoring, and individualized support.
Clinical expectations: Participants will achieve recognition of their medical qualifications along with sufficient German language skills for clinical practice, allowing future specialist training and medical practice in Germany.
Research expectations: Participants will develop as R2 researcher (according to the European Framework for Research Careers), including their first third-party funding application. Participants who complete this process will be ready to pursue an independent research career (R3) in roles such as assistant professor, principal investigator, or junior group leader.
We look forward to welcoming you at the MHH. You can learn more about research and life in Hannover here.
Important milestones in iPRACTIS
As a Clinician Scientist in the iPRACTIS program, you will be taking crucial steps towards a career at the interface of clinical care, medical research, and therapeutic innovation. There are several key milestones we have outlined to help you make the most of this stage in your career development, and help you move effectively towards higher levels of specialization and achievement in the clinic, research, and beyond.
Clinical Expectations:
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Eligibility requirements
- Hold a completed medical degree (from outside Germany)
- Have initial research experience (completed R1 to early R2 based on European Framework for Research Careers)
- Have not yet completed specialist clinical training (residency or German 'Facharzt' / 'Weiterbildung' equivalent)
- Be committed to pursuing a career combining clinical practice and research
What iPRACTIS offers
- 36 months of structured clinical and scientific training based on an individually tailored career plan
- Individualized support in navigating the process of medical degree recognition in Germany and developing German language proficiency
- Funding for materials, travel, and publication
- Individualized support from a personalized mentoring team
- A curriculum to acquire key competencies (including data management and analysis, GCP clinical investigator certification (GCP-Prüfarztkurs), project management)
- Regular evaluations and feedback meetings
- A full onboarding program and integration into a strong Clinician Scientist Network
How to apply for the iPRACTIS program
To apply to iPRACTIS, you will need the following documents:
- Cover letter/letter of motivation:
- Explain in approximately one page the reasons for your application and how the program can support you on your career path to becoming a clinician scientist.
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form:
- See below for more information
- Completed application template:
- The application can be written in German or English.
- Please ensure that you comply with the formal guidelines outlined in the application form, including page length, citations, font size, and line spacing.
- Necessary attachments to the application:
- Declaration of consent from the applicant
- Copies of certificates: Medical examination certificates, doctoral degree certificates, high school diplomas, and other relevant certificates and documents. If the documents are not in German or English, a certified translation is requested.
All documents must be combined into a single PDF file and sent to practis@mh-hannover.de. Individual documents will not be accepted for the application.
External applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline for internal applications is January 5th, 2027.
All applicants selected for further consideration will be asked to give a presentation to the selection committee. Applicants based outside Germany have the opportunity for virtual presentation.
Competitive applicants who present virtually will be asked to schedule a final, in-person visit to the MHH prior to receiving their official offer. This enables applicants to connect with future departments in clinics and research.
The checklist provides an overview of the required documents.
The application form can be found here.
Please address the following points in your curriculum vitae in tabular form:
- Full name, title, date of birth, citizenship, contact details; no photo required
- Brief clinical and scientific career history
- List of your own publications, stating all authors, your own name in bold, including title, year, journal and doi. Please see the table provided in the application checklist. We request all information in “Vancouver Style”. If your name is in a position in the order of authors that would not appear, multiple authors may be listed.
- Highlight your involvement in up to three publications that are particularly important to you
- List of your own scientific conference contributions (only if you were a speaker: max. 10)
- List of prizes, scholarships, and awards received
- Information on additional social, scientific, or other engagements
The declaration of consent for applicants can be found here.
iPRACTIS applicants can also be considered for positions funded within the PRACTIS program if they apply during our annual recruitment cycle.
Applications open in the fall, and are due in early January.
More information on the Clinician Scientist programs of the MHH can be found here (German only) and for advanced clinician scientists, more information can be found here.
The date for the informational webinar will be announced shortly.
Please use our contact form to register for the webinar.
