International Max Planck Research School – From Molecules to Organisms

The special feature of our doctoral programme in the life sciences is its emphasis on interdisciplinary interactions. We want to endow the next generation of scientists with the skills and knowledge to study complex biological processes that cannot be adequately understood within the limits of a single discipline. Projects and training are offered by around 25 faculty members doing research at the Max Planck Institute for Biology, the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory, and the University of Tübingen. The projects and training span several levels of biological organisation – from molecules to organisms and even through to ecosystems. Supporting courses and events allow doctoral candidates and faculty working at these different levels to interact and establish collaborations. Around 80 young scientists are currently working towards a PhD in our programme; just over a third of them come from Germany, and the rest from around the world.

Academic requirements

Deadline: Application deadline: February Interviews in March/April Outside of the recruiting round, individual applications are possible by approaching faculty directly.

Minimum GPA

No fixed minimum GPA is published on the current official programme page.

English requirements

English is the programme language. Good written and spoken English is essential.

Accepted bachelor fields

Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related natural/computer science Master's degree.

APS Certificate

Yes

Tuition fee

None

Semester contribution

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday in the evening, on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 150 EUR).

Funding info

Tuition: None Semester contribution: Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday in the evening, on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 150 EUR).

As a Max Planck Research School graduate, career prospects are excellent in top-tier academic research and leading positions in the global biotech and pharmaceutical industry.

• 1

  Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation (EEC)

  University of Potsdam

  Potsdam · Master of Science · English

• 2

  Ecology

  University of Bremen

  Bremen · Master of Science · English

• 3

  Developmental, Neural, and Behavioural Biology (MSc)

  University of Göttingen

  Göttingen · Master of Science · English

• 4

  PhD in Neuroscience – International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behaviour

  University of Bonn

  Bonn · PhD · English

• 5

  Dresden International Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (DIGS-ILS)

  Dresden University of Technology

  Dresden · PhD · English