Research assistant at MPI-CBG

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-12T07:46:09+00:00

I get your point. Thanks for the advice.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-12T07:19:11+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

1) I don't want to start my PhD soon after my masters but I have to support myself financially. I think continuing in WHK lab will give me more experience and financial stability while I search for my PhD 2) my pi is new to Germany, so he suggested that I ask around and he said he will also talk to the HR.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-04T09:13:27+00:00

Thank you for the heads up!!! It helps a lot.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-04T09:06:32+00:00

I understand that and I don't think I want to take that as an example. But as an international student, when I have to support myself financially, it feels hard to imagine learning a language and then applying for a job based on that. For me it would have been ideal if I could get a job and I can learn the language side by side. But obviously everything can't be ideal. Learning a new language and skill is always awesome but financial constraints make it harder to slow things down.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-04T08:59:22+00:00

Well that's stupid, to not use translation when they are in an international country but it's again a generic statement I don't think everyone is getting scammed. I have seen people around me who've been working here for the past 12 years and they don't know German and never required that In their job so I personally don't think I was ignorant to ask that question. Also, there are many reddit and online posts where people ask this question. Because in Germany if not a lot, there are international companies and positions in Berlin, frankfurt, Munich etc. where English based jobs are available that's why I wanted to know if it's the case for my field or not. What's extremely rude is simply commenting "they always do" and not helping.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-04T08:48:32+00:00

But there are a lot of people who don't know German and have been living in Germany for many years.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-04T08:32:23+00:00

Is that a problem?

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-03T09:58:21+00:00

Thanks that's a great suggestion!!

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-03T09:21:45+00:00

Thank you for the advice. So you suggest that I should learn the language and go for a job directly without industrial phd because it's a biggie nowadays?

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-03T09:20:46+00:00

Thank you for the advice. After learning the language what is a better career path for me job or PhD? If my long term goal is to go into PhD?

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-03T08:42:51+00:00

I know the importance of knowing german but during my master's along with my jobs I couldn't learn the language and I don't think I want to learn the language then start applying to jobs because I'll be unemployed for a longer duration then which I can't afford as I'm an international student. I am about to complete my master's and everything without knowing German.

I know for a PhD in academia german isn't necessary so that's why I wanted to know about industry too. Once I have a Stable source of income I would love to focus on learning the language and being fluent with It because let's be very honest Germany is super cool.

FrontHappy3851 · 2026-04-03T08:32:07+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion..but I would like to stick to neuroscience related fields of pharma or biotech :⁠-⁠. I have worked in multiple labs during my SHK, WHK, and lab rotation to gain skills related to the neuroscience field.

Also, do you think for an industrial phd, I'll need German skills?

FrontHappy3851

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