Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
Germany
Pfotenhauerstraße 108, 01307 Dresden
Overview
Welcome to the International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMPRS-MCB) - a joint international PhD program of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics and the University of Freiburg.
Details
Who We Are
The IMPRS-CellDevoSys is the International Max Planck Research School hosted at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in collaboration with the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD). Our research mission revolves around the question: How do cells form tissues and organisms? We are dedicated to training young talents who are passionate about truly cross-disciplinary research. We support early independence, continually mentor professional development, and help encourage great discoveries.
What We Want
Our program trains the future leaders of science. We are looking for innovative and independent minds. With pioneering scientific research, a demanding curriculum, and incentives for swift training progress, our PhD program is tailored for those who aim high, are willing to take risks, and enjoy a rapid pace.
Where We Work
Our research faculty and PhD students are located at various sites throughout Biopolis Dresden, based primarily at the MPI-CBG, the CSBD, and the MPI-PKS. Dresden is renowned for its dynamic cross-pollination of scientific disciplines in the Dresden Concept, along with its glorious baroque architecture and thriving cultural scene. Learn more about the city or our partner sites.
What We Offer
Our program offers several unique benefits to candidates, including:
- outstanding research opportunities in a highly competitive environment
- dedicated mentoring and early independence
- open doors and interdisciplinary cooperations
- integration in a supportive and approachable international research community
- cutting edge technologies in core facilities
- financial security for the duration of thesis
How It All Began
One of the first International Max Planck Research School sites, the CellDevoSys program was founded by the Max Planck Society in Dresden in 2001. In 2006, the family grew larger when the TU-Dresden was recognized in the Excellence Initiative, marking the start of the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB). Today, the IMPRS-CellDevoSys and DIGS-BB are partners under the umbrella of the Dresden International PhD Program (DIPP), which shares resources and promotes ease of collaboration.
PhD Students here experience first-class doctoral training at the frontier of science. With PhD Students (or, as we call them, Predocs) from over 50 countries working under the dedicated supervision of our experienced investigators, we are proud of the collegial network we have created. Graduates of our program form an impressive worldwide community of researchers. In 2016 the program celebrated 15 years of training successful graduates who have continued down a variety of rewarding research career paths.
Application Details
Applications are solely accepted via our online application system. Applications, or parts thereof, submitted by any other means cannot be considered. Please note, that also applies to sending an application directly to one of our group leaders, or to the IMPRS Head.
We hope that this procedure is not too complicated, although there are several steps. If you have any questions, please review our FAQ.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Request an account: Make sure that the email address you use will remain valid throughout the application process. You will receive access to the online application form immediately.
- Complete registration: Here we ask for some personal background information, as well as contact details of two referees. Choose your referees carefully, in general they should be familiar with your research performance (we recommend including the principal investigator(s) who supervised your thesis work). We will automatically invite your referees via email to submit their recommendation online. Receipt of a recommendation will be confirmed via email, and stated in your application overview. Please be aware that receipt of two recommmendations is needed before you may submit your application (see step 4 below). If necessary, you may add up to two additional referees but we advise you to use this option only if needed.
- Complete your application: Please make sure to provide concise and complete information in the application form and upload relevant University certificates and official transcripts. For ongoing studies, please provide the latest transcript documenting all results obtained to date. Furnishing of TOEFL/IELTS and GRE examination results is encouraged, but not mandatory. For your reference, generate a PDF file of your application.
- Submission: Once your online application form is complete, and two recommendations have been received, you’ll be able to submit. You will receive an email confirming the successful submission of your application.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Am I eligible for admission?
You are eligible for our IMPRS if you can answer all questions below with a clear “yes”:
- Do you hold, or anticipate receiving, a Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, (Applied) Mathematics, or Engineering?*
- Are you specifically interested in contributing to the research performed by the research groups in our IMPRS?
- Are you driven by scientific curiosity and the ambition to shape the future of science?
- Can you prove truly excellent prior academic performance and research experience?
- Will you thrive in a highly competetive, interdisciplinary, international, and state-of-the-art environment?
- Are you enthusiastic, cooperative, and collegial?
- Can you demonstrate a high level of spoken and written English proficiency?
You are strongly advised to carefully evaluate yourself before preparing an application for our PhD program.
Previously affiliated applicants
Candidates previously affiliated with an IMPRS group may join this group for PhD thesis work if the previous affiliation did not exceed 12 months. Internal candidates must demonstrate outstanding performance and the highest potential in order to be invited for interviews. To avoid any favoritism or bias, group leaders associated with an internal candidate will not be involved in judging the candidate’s qualification for admission.
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
Financial support
The IMPRS-CellDevoSys guarantees full financial support for the entire duration of your PhD work, i.e, up to 4 years. PhD projects in the IMPRS cannot extend beyond 4 years. Financial support is granted via an MPG employment contract for doctoral candidates. Health insurance, pension contribution, and other social benefits are included; these contributions are deducted from the gross income. The net take-home pay for PhD students (after taxes and deductions) is in general at least 1,700 Euro per month.
Tuition fees
There are no tuition fees, neither for participating in our PhD Program nor for being registered as a PhD student at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD). Official enrollment at the TUD as a student is optional; the biannual enrollment fee at the TUD is about 285 Euro and includes the so-called Semesterticket, which entitles you to use the whole public transport system in Dresden and surrounding areas for free.
Cost of Living
It is fairly easy to hold a high standard of living in Dresden, since the costs of rent, food, and other staples are comparibly low. Living costs are an estimated 700 to 800 Euro per month.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
