The IMPRS program is managed by the IMPRS office in collaboration with the two IMPRS Spokespersons and the members of the Graduate Committee. We currently have 50 studentsfrom 24 countries, and 33 faculty members (19 from MPI-IE and 12 from the University of Freiburg and 2 from the Max Planck Research Department of Systems Immunology in Würzburg). We are also very proud of our growing Alumni group, which by now comprises 59 graduates.
One of the distinctive aspects of our program is a rotation period. Students spend one month each in three different laboratories before starting their PhD project. This is an important step towards identifying a suitable laboratory for their PhD thesis, as it allows them to experience three distinct lab environments and provides further insight into particular research topics. The rotations are also a chance for group leaders to ascertain which student will be the best fit for their groups. Finally, this rotation phase enhances communication and networking within the Institute.
After the rotation period, our fellows join the lab in which they will carry out their PhD work. The PhD project constitutes the core of the scientific training. Our students benefit from the supervision of the respective group leader, the interactions within the laboratory and collaborations within and outside the MPI-IE. The progress of all IMPRS students is regularly monitored by their thesis advisory committees (TACs).
IMPRS students also participate in a broad curriculum that complements their laboratory training. This additional training program covers three major aspects - advanced scientific training, transferable/soft skills and networking. In particular, we offer courses that relate to:
Advanced scientific methods e.g. bioinformatics,
statistics,
imaging
Critical analysis of scientific literature
Scientific writing
Scientific Presentation
Good Scientific Practice
Career Development
Funding Opportunities
We strongly encourage the participation of our students in the annual PhD retreat organized by the PhD representatives. Furthermore, we support students' attendance at regional symposia and international scientific conferences. Students also have the possibility to learn German and to obtain advice in planning their future career.
Biochemistry,
Cell Biology,
Developmental Biology,
Epigenetics,
Immunobiology and
Molecular Biology,
BioInformatics
Proteomics.
Metabolism
We train students to become self-reliant and to acquire and utilize the knowledge necessary for their research project. Students have the chance to interact with experts in various fields both to extend their scientific knowledge and to learn critical thinking as well as acquire problem-solving skills.
The IMPRS fellows have 3 to 4 years to obtain their degree. Most of this time they work on their individually supervised research project. In addition to the experimental part all fellows have a possibility and are obliged to participate in curricular activities of the programme. These are:
scientific and soft skills courses
institute seminars,
PhD retreat supervision of undergraduate students conference attendance career evenings
Our students receive student contracts according to the guidelines by the Max Planck Society for the duration of their PhD (3-4 years). The payment is sufficient to cover the monthly living costs in Freiburg. There are no tuition fees to be paid.
Formal requirement: Applicants must hold an MSc/Diploma in Biology/ Biomedicine/ Biochemistry/ Bioinformatics or related subject (to be obtained before start of program in September).
What is NOT required to apply for the IMPRS-MCB program?
Language fluency
English is the official language of the program, and knowledge of German is not required. If you have taken an English language proficiency test (TOEFL/CET/ect.), we encourage you to upload your certificates in the application platform. You will be offered the opportunity to attend a free German language course if you choose to.
Standardized Tests
IMPRS-IEM does not require standardized testing such as the GRE for admissions. You may upload those certificates with your application if you choose to do so.
Individual Fellowship
Applicants are not required to have an individual fellowship to apply. All students offered entry into the program will be provided with an employment contract to cover living expenses. There are no tuition fees to pay. However, we encourage students to apply for such individual fellowships before and during their PhD for the purposes of CV building.
Evaluation of applications :
All applications received by the deadline and accompanied by three references undergo two levels of evaluation. First, they are checked for completeness and fulfillment of our requirements. In the next step we evaluate your grades, your letter of motivation and statement of research interest, CV, English language skills and references. We also look at any additional certificates you provided. Based on this information we generate a shortlist of promising candidates for the video interviews. Within 3-4 weeks of the application deadline we will inform you if you are invited for a video interview.
Video Interviews :
The Skype interviews will be conducted by two faculty members and the IMPRS Coordinator. This is an important step to get to know the candidates better and to help us make a decision about the final invitation list. After the completion of all Skype interviews we will issue the invitations for the Interview Days in Freiburg.
Interview Days in Freiburg :
Depending on the number of positions available in each round (usually 6-10) we invite 20-25 of the best candidates to Freiburg. During their three day stay in Freiburg, students have the opportunity to present their own work and get to know our faculty and students and to discuss the offered projects. The first assessment of the candidates is done during the interview with a panel of three faculty members. Students who successfully pass this selection step proceed to the individual interviews with group leaders. The decision on admission to the program is made by the selection committee consisting of recruiting group leaders and the IMPRS graduate committee. Offers to join IMPRS-IEM are made within a week of the in-person interviews.
Documents you will need
Important information about the references :
One of the distinctive aspects of our program is a rotation period. Students spend one month each in three different laboratories before starting their PhD project. This is an important step towards identifying a suitable laboratory for their PhD thesis, as it allows them to experience three distinct lab environments and provides further insight into particular research topics. The rotations are also a chance for group leaders to ascertain which student will be the best fit for their groups. Finally, this rotation phase enhances communication and networking within the Institute.
After the rotation period, our fellows join the lab in which they will carry out their PhD work. The PhD project constitutes the core of the scientific training. Our students benefit from the supervision of the respective group leader, the interactions within the laboratory and collaborations within and outside the MPI-IE. The progress of all IMPRS students is regularly monitored by their thesis advisory committees (TACs).
IMPRS students also participate in a broad curriculum that complements their laboratory training. This additional training program covers three major aspects - advanced scientific training, transferable/soft skills and networking. In particular, we offer courses that relate to:
Advanced scientific methods e.g. bioinformatics,
statistics,
imaging
Critical analysis of scientific literature
Scientific writing
Scientific Presentation
Good Scientific Practice
Career Development
Funding Opportunities
We strongly encourage the participation of our students in the annual PhD retreat organized by the PhD representatives. Furthermore, we support students' attendance at regional symposia and international scientific conferences. Students also have the possibility to learn German and to obtain advice in planning their future career.
PhD overview :
Our program provides outstanding students with excellent research-oriented interdisciplinary training inBiochemistry,
Cell Biology,
Developmental Biology,
Epigenetics,
Immunobiology and
Molecular Biology,
BioInformatics
Proteomics.
Metabolism
We train students to become self-reliant and to acquire and utilize the knowledge necessary for their research project. Students have the chance to interact with experts in various fields both to extend their scientific knowledge and to learn critical thinking as well as acquire problem-solving skills.
The IMPRS fellows have 3 to 4 years to obtain their degree. Most of this time they work on their individually supervised research project. In addition to the experimental part all fellows have a possibility and are obliged to participate in curricular activities of the programme. These are:
scientific and soft skills courses
institute seminars,
PhD retreat supervision of undergraduate students conference attendance career evenings
Our students receive student contracts according to the guidelines by the Max Planck Society for the duration of their PhD (3-4 years). The payment is sufficient to cover the monthly living costs in Freiburg. There are no tuition fees to be paid.
Eligibility Requirements :
- We welcome applications from excellent and highly motivated students of all nationalities with a passion for science. We expect:
- outstanding academic record (GPA >80%, first or upper second class degree, top 10% of students in a given year) practical lab experience of at least 4-6 months
- excellent English language skills (TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent certificate recommended -not required- if you are not a native speaker or did not complete your University education in an English-speaking country)
Formal requirement: Applicants must hold an MSc/Diploma in Biology/ Biomedicine/ Biochemistry/ Bioinformatics or related subject (to be obtained before start of program in September).
What is NOT required to apply for the IMPRS-MCB program?
Language fluency
English is the official language of the program, and knowledge of German is not required. If you have taken an English language proficiency test (TOEFL/CET/ect.), we encourage you to upload your certificates in the application platform. You will be offered the opportunity to attend a free German language course if you choose to.
Standardized Tests
IMPRS-IEM does not require standardized testing such as the GRE for admissions. You may upload those certificates with your application if you choose to do so.
Individual Fellowship
Applicants are not required to have an individual fellowship to apply. All students offered entry into the program will be provided with an employment contract to cover living expenses. There are no tuition fees to pay. However, we encourage students to apply for such individual fellowships before and during their PhD for the purposes of CV building.
Admission process :
Admission to IMPRS-IEM is highly competitive and carried out via a centralized selection procedure, divided into three steps: Evaluation of applications, video interviews, and in-person interview days in Freiburg.Evaluation of applications :
All applications received by the deadline and accompanied by three references undergo two levels of evaluation. First, they are checked for completeness and fulfillment of our requirements. In the next step we evaluate your grades, your letter of motivation and statement of research interest, CV, English language skills and references. We also look at any additional certificates you provided. Based on this information we generate a shortlist of promising candidates for the video interviews. Within 3-4 weeks of the application deadline we will inform you if you are invited for a video interview.
Video Interviews :
The Skype interviews will be conducted by two faculty members and the IMPRS Coordinator. This is an important step to get to know the candidates better and to help us make a decision about the final invitation list. After the completion of all Skype interviews we will issue the invitations for the Interview Days in Freiburg.
Interview Days in Freiburg :
Depending on the number of positions available in each round (usually 6-10) we invite 20-25 of the best candidates to Freiburg. During their three day stay in Freiburg, students have the opportunity to present their own work and get to know our faculty and students and to discuss the offered projects. The first assessment of the candidates is done during the interview with a panel of three faculty members. Students who successfully pass this selection step proceed to the individual interviews with group leaders. The decision on admission to the program is made by the selection committee consisting of recruiting group leaders and the IMPRS graduate committee. Offers to join IMPRS-IEM are made within a week of the in-person interviews.
Application procedure
- You can apply to IMPRS-IEM using our online application tool which is open only during application times. To start the application procedure please register.
- Once you create your account, the application tool will send a confirmation email to the address you provided.
- Please follow the instructions given, fill in all the necessary information and upload required documents (pdf or jpeg format).
- You can repeatedly log in and out and make changes to your application. Don't forget to press SUBMIT once your application is ready! We strongly recommend you to submit as early as possible.
- Submitting early will give us more time to carefully check your application and contact you if we have any questions.
- After submitting, you cannot make any changes to your application anymore, but you can log in to check if your references have arrived, and if your application has been marked as complete.
Documents you will need
- CV Photo (optional)
- Essay of Research Experience and Motivation (max. 2 page)
- Essay detailing a leadership experience in your life (max. 1 page)
- Transcripts of your academic education (Diploma, MSc and BSc or equivalent)
- Certificates of your degrees (Diploma, MSc and BSc or equivalent)
- English language certificate (recommended if you are not a native speaker or did not complete your University education in an English-speaking country, not mandatory)
- Results of knowledge tests (GRE, GATE or equivalent if available - not mandatory)
- Contact details of three referees - Please inform your referees before you enter their email addresses in the application system.
Important information about the references :
- Your referees should ideally have worked with you on a research project i.e. the supervisor of your final project or an internship.
- We will contact your referees once your submitted application has undergone an initial evaluation.
- Please check that you have entered their full contact details and email addresses corectly. We will ask them to enter their reference online.
- We will consider only applications with all three references provided on time.
- We will not accept letters directly mailed to the office!
Important dates :
- IMPRS-IEM Application Opens: 19 November 2018.
- Applications must be submitted no later than 05 February 2019.
- Reference letters are due the following week.
- Round One video interviews will occur the week of 25 February 2019.
- Final candidates invited to Freiburg for in-person interviews from 1-3 April 2019.
- Accepted candidates will start their thesis research in September 2019.
Please note that IMPRS-IEM will reimburse travel expenses and cover accommodation for all candidates participating in the interviews in Freiburg.
APPLY ONLINE
The IMPRS-IEM application portal for admission in 2019 is now open. Please follow this link to register your application. All applications are due by February 05, 2019