PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr rer nat
PhD

Doctoral degree or degree awarded by

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

In cooperation with

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Teaching language

• English

Languages

The language of communication and instruction within ILRS is English. ILRS doctoral researchers can choose to write their dissertations in English or German. There is the possibility to participate in English and German language courses.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

6 semesters, 8 semesters

Beginning

Only for doctoral programmes: any time

Application deadline

Variable, depending on project

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

In their natural habitat, microorganisms do not occur in isolation but live in close association with other organisms of different species and developmental stages. Their interactions can take many forms, ranging from mutual symbiosis to parasitic interactions. How these complex, multi-organismic networks are regulated by microbial communication is still poorly understood. Gaining insight into the microbial and biomolecular interactions underlying the communication processes among microorganisms in diverse habitats is the main research focus of the ILRS Jena. The scientific questions addressed within the ILRS graduate training programme can be divided into three main subcategories:

Interactions between microorganisms: Microorganisms are able to synthesise a multitude of natural products that act as mediators of communication between organisms of the same or different species. These low molecular weight compounds can act as attractants, e.g. in the pheromone signalling pathways in fungi, or as repellents for competitors for limited nutritional resources. Many of the antibiotics known today are (or are derived from) such molecules. Research within the ILRS aims at better understanding the signalling pathways involved in natural product synthesis and at unravelling the complex interactions between microorganisms at the genetic and molecular level.

Host/microbial pathogen interactions: The human body is host to billions of bacterial and fungal cells of different species. Most of them are harmless or even beneficial, but some microorganisms can cause severe diseases. ILRS projects address the questions why this is the case, which signalling pathways are involved in the infection process, and how the host immune system reacts to the infection. But research is not limited to human/microbe interactions - also plant - microbe interactions and viral infection of phytoplankton are studied as model systems for complex multi-organismic networks.

Role of networks, interactions and their analysis: In recent years, the information available about the genomes and transcriptomes of a wide variety of microorganisms as well as their host organisms has rapidly increased. Researchers within the ILRS make use of these data, together with experimentally obtained results, to analyse intra- and intercellular microbial communication and aim at creating a "systems biology of infection". Bioinformatic tools are employed to model the intricate regulatory networks involved in signalling processes and in organism development.

The ILRS PhD projects try to answer these intriguing questions with interdisciplinary approaches, combining methods of microbiology, natural product chemistry, biotechnology, immunobiology, bioinformatics and systems biology. The ILRS faculty is composed of professors and group leaders of different disciplines from all participating institutions forming a highly interactive network of scientific discourse and experimental work. The ILRS is part of the excellence graduate school "Jena School for Microbial Communication" (JSMC) which was established in 2006 as an umbrella organisation of three existing Research Training Groups in Jena. The JSMC is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.

Current information

Please see our website at http://www.ilrs.de/vacant-projects.html and https://jobs.hki-jena.de/jobs/job-offers for open calls and positions. The application deadline is listed in the individual job ads.

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

Certificates for specific modules are awarded

Yes

International elements

• Specialist literature in other languages
• Language training provided

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

The fee for optional enrolment as student is approx. 250 EUR per semester.

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

ILRS doctoral researchers are employed as scientific co-workers at the Leibniz-HKI.

Academic admission requirements

A Master's degree or equivalent in one of the subjects addressed by ILRS is required. Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply.

Language requirements

Very good spoken and written knowledge of English is required.

Application deadline

Variable, depending on project

Submit application to

Open projects are published at https://jobs.hki-jena.de/jobs/job-offers and applications are submitted online via the application portal.

Accommodation

The ILRS coordinator assists with finding accommodation in Jena.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

Doctoral researchers discuss career prospectives in their progress report meetings. Workshops on career perspectives inside and outside of academia are offered. ILRS and the university provide career advice and support in writing funding applications.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Buddy programme
• Visa matters
• Help with finding accommodation
• Support with registration procedures

General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

International doctoral candidates receive comprehensive support with visa application, finding accommodation and other administrative matters. Upon arrival in Jena, they are supported with registration, residence permit and other administrative matters and accompanied by German speakers to appointments, if desired.

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