PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Doctoral degree in biology, neuroscience, ecology, evolutionary genetics

Doctoral degree or degree awarded by

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Technical University of Munich

In cooperation with

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Technical University of Munich

Teaching language

• English

Languages

The official and working language at our school is English. All the lectures, courses and workshops offered are in English. Students write and defend their doctoral theses in English.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

8 semesters

Beginning

Winter semester

Application deadline

Please watch out for our next application call in autumn 2023.
Details about the application process can be found on our website .

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

Yes

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) offers first-rate training to doctoral students interested in the question of how nervous systems develop and have evolved to allow animals to pursue their goals, navigate their environment, and employ behavioural strategies that are adapted to, and shape, their respective ecological niche. Bringing together the newly founded Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence and two leading partner universities, the Ludwig Maximilian University Munich and the Technical University of Munich, IMPRS-BI is bridging related disciplines, including neuroscience, behavioural ecology, and evolution, with the aim of unravelling the nature of biological intelligence.

World class scientific research work is at the core of the IMPRS-BI mission. We offer an English-speaking, structured PhD programme with ready access to state-of-the-art facilities. To foster high quality of scientific research, IMPRS-BI students are offered expert supervision; the thesis is conducted under the guidance of the direct adviser and a thesis advisory committee.

An additional training curriculum in scientific, computational, and transferable skills, tailored to each student’s individual needs, endows our graduates with a competitive edge in the job arena, both in academia and beyond.

Current information

We have an open call for fully-funded doctoral student positions in the fields of behaviour, neurobiology, connectomics, ecology, and evolutionary genetics. Apply Now !

For more information and online application please visit our website .

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

Certificates for specific modules are awarded

Yes

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Language training provided
• Training in intercultural skills
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad

Teaching/work obligations or opportunities

PhD students have the opportunity to gain teaching experience by assisting in laboratory courses for students at the Bachelor's or Master's level.

However, teaching activities are not mandatory.

Special promotion / funding of the programme

• IMPRS

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Approx. 150 EUR per semester

Costs of living

In Munich, the living expenses are estimated to range from approx. 900 EUR to 1,400 EUR per month.

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

This is a fully funded PhD programme where all accepted students receive funding to cover tuition and living expenses during the course of their doctoral studies.

Academic admission requirements

Applicants should hold an MSc (or an equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, physics, computer science, physics, chemistry, mathematics or related disciplines in the field of natural sciences.

Applicants with a European four-year BSc Hons degree (or equivalent degree with 240 ECTS credits) are also eligible to apply.  

Language requirements

Applicants need to be fluent in written and spoken English. Non-native speakers must provide proof of appropriate English skills (TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent test certificates). This requirement can be waived if the applicant's previous academic education was in English!

Application deadline

Please watch out for our next application call in autumn 2023.
Details about the application process can be found on our website .

Submit application to

https://imprs-bi.mpg.de/51861/How-to-apply

Accommodation

Accepted PhD students might get an accommodation in the guest house of the Max Planck Institute (for up to three months). The coordination office and the international office will assist students while they are searching for private accommodations.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

More than 30 renowned scientists mentor and support our doctoral candidates throughout their studies. Together with our university partners, we also offer mentoring programmes and career advice opportunities to our students.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Visa matters
• Welcome event
• Accompanying programme
• Cultural and linguistic preparation

The Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) focuses on basic research on topics in behavioural ecology, evolutionary research and neuroscience. Here, around 500 employees from around the world study how animal organisms acquire, store, apply and pass on knowledge about their environment in order to find ever-new solutions to problems and adapt to a constantly changing environment.

The IMPRS-BI steering board is composed of six elected representatives of the faculty and two elected representatives of the doctoral students. The board is responsible for the general management of all IMPRS-BI activities, i.e. decisions on the allocation of available funds, changes to regulations within the school, coordination of collaborations and the continuous development of the programme. The spokesperson represents the IMPRS internally and externally and is supported by the coordinators in all day-to-day matters.

The institute has two locations. At the nature-oriented Seewiesen Campus, in the municipality of Pöcking near Starnberg, field research is combined with modern methods of behavioural biology. At the Martinsried Campus in the southwest of Munich, neuroscientific research is currently the main focus. Here, laboratory experiments are usually combined with state-of-the-art methods such as optogenetics, connectomics or machine learning.

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