PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

PhD (Dr rer nat)

Doctoral degree or degree awarded by

Goethe University Frankfurt am Main or Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

In cooperation with

Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS)

Teaching language

• English

Languages

Our programme is designed for international students, and therefore, it is conducted entirely in English.

Programme duration

7 semesters, 8 semesters

Beginning

Winter semester

Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Our programme starts each year on 15 September with a three-month introductory training. This training includes some welcome and introductory events, lectures held by our faculty members to give the students an overview of the research topics in the IMPRS-CBP, and several technical and soft skill workshops.

Furthermore, our PhD students complete three three-week lab rotations in different labs. The concept of lab rotations is unique to the IMPRS-CBP and provides a great opportunity to learn about various methods, techniques, and research topics, to network, and to build interdisciplinary collaborations.

Only after the lab rotations, students and group leaders decide in which group the students will work on their PhD projects for three to three and a half years.

Application deadline

The application deadline is 15 May each year.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The IMPRS-CBP is an international doctoral training programme that investigates how complex subcellular architecture is created from individual molecular functions that act in concert. Our graduate programme is hosted by the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and the Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies.

Our mission is to train graduate students to tackle one of the ultimate biological challenges: to gain a complete molecular-level understanding of the cell and its functions. Our research questions lie in the field of experimental and theoretical biophysics and are addressed by using integrative approaches.

We offer:

• A wide range of state-of-the-art techniques for biophysical research, e.g. cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR, mass spectrometry, high-resolution light microscopy, and large-scale computing
• An interdisciplinary research environment connecting biological sciences (structural biology, cell biology, neurobiology, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, computational biology) with physics, mathematics, and chemistry
• Excellent working conditions with fully funded PhD positions
• Assistance in all organisational matters such as securing a visa to study in Germany as well as exam regulations
• A unique concept of lab rotations, which allow students to find out more about our faculty, equipment, and projects
• An outstanding supervision concept with multiple experienced and engaged supervisors
• The opportunity to build lasting networks in a collaborative research environment through approx. 30 internationally renowned PIs from the participating institutions
• An attractive living environment with the Rhine-Main region around Frankfurt/Main being an international scientific, financial, and cultural hub
• A strong community of PhD students jointly attending graduate courses
• An innovative teaching concept with professional and transferable skills workshop

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context

Description of other international elements

Internationality plays a major role in science. More than one third of our faculty members and more than half of our PhD students are international. In our collaborative research environment, the students are regularly exposed to the international scientific community and encouraged to build international networks, e.g. by visiting international scientific conferences or summer schools, or establish cooperations with international partners.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Enrolment at the university is not mandatory. If PhD students enrol, they will have to pay a fee of approx. 400 EUR per semester. This fee also includes free usage of public transport and discounts for the university canteen as well as for many cultural, sports, and leisure facilities.

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

PhD positions within the IMPRS-CBP are fully funded.

Academic admission requirements

To be eligible for the programme, you should have completed your Master's degree in the natural or life sciences, including various branches of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, medicine, pharmacy, neurosciences, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering. Ideally, you have already worked on biological, biochemical, or biophysical problems in experimental or theoretical settings during your undergraduate studies.

Students holding a BSc may be considered in exceptional cases if they provide excellent academic records and transcripts. Evaluation of the completed course work is done on a case-to-case basis and candidates may have to complete additional MSc courses to be admitted to the IMPRS-CBP. Please contact the IMPRS-CBP Coordination Office before applying with a Bachelor’s degree, or if you are not sure whether your degree or your field of study is suitable for our programme.

We are looking for excellent young scientists who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of experimental or theoretical cellular biophysics.

Language requirements

Applicants should be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English. We do not ask for an English language certificate, but we will assess the applicants' language skills during the application interviews which are conducted in English.

Application deadline

The application deadline is 15 May each year.

Submit application to

To apply, please register in our online application portal . We recruit new PhD students once a year and usually accept applications from March to mid-May for the September programme start.

If you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact the IMPRS-CBP Coordination Office ([email protected] ).

Accommodation

The Max Planck Institutes at Frankfurt and Mainz have guest houses for short-term accommodation on campus. If free rooms are available, students can rent a room for a maximum of three months. As the guest houses are not considered a long-term solution, all students are expected to make their own arrangements for an apartment or a room in a shared flat. The IMPRS-CBP Coordination Office will provide the students with useful information on suitable web portals and other addresses for finding accommodation before the students arrive on site.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Buddy programme
• Visa matters

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