PhD’s Molecular and Cellular Biology in Freiburg

Deadline: 31 May, 2010

http://www.imprs-mcb.mpg.de/home/imprs/index.html

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 (MPI-IB) and the University of Freiburg offers PhD’s in Epigenetics, Immunobiology, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics. It will start this autumn. Also exceptionally talented BSc students can apply.

You will:

• work on challenging cutting edge scientific projects
• get full funding for the time of the PhD
• go through intensive scientific education- theoretical and practical
• get in contact with world leading scientist
• enjoy the privilege of intense mentoring
• have a chance to test 3 labs of your choice before starting a PhD (rotation)
• earn your PhD in 3-4 years
• At IMPRS-MCB you can become first class scientist and make a fantastic step to very fruitful scientific career.

Find more information about the specific PhD’s by clicking here.

Eligibility

Normally the PhD in Europe takes 3-4 years but you need to have both BSc and MSc or equivalent (4-5 years of studies) before enrolling. Integrated MSc/PhD programs are not common.

Exceptionally talented BSc students can now jump directly into the 3-years-PhD studies. This special initiative of the University of Freiburg and the MPI for Immunobiology is just being started and is the fantastic opportunity for excellent students who want to experience the trill of full time research as soon as possible. You can apply if you have:

• MSc/Diploma in Biology/Biomedicine/Biochemistry or related subject (to be obtained latest 6 months after the application deadline)
• GPA >80%
• Excellent English language skills (mother tongue or TOEFL/IELST or equivalent certificate)
• Practical lab experience

Eventually we could consider you application if you have:

• BSc with (first class) honours or BSc with GPA>90% in Biology/Biomedicine/Biochemistry or related subject (to be obtained latest 6 months after application deadline)
• Excellent English language skills
• Minimum 6 months of practical lab experience on a project- final year project or similar
• Prepare and pass an entry exam at the University of Freiburg: your knowledge should match the knowledge of the final year MSc students.

Scholarships

The students are all fully paid during the whole time of their PhD (3-4 years). They are mostly granted a stipend of 1468 Euro per month. In some cases students receive a salary of 1000-1100 Euro per month which includes all statutory insurances (health, pension, unemployment, child support).

There are no obligatory semester fees that you should pay.
The living costs in Freiburg are amounting to approximately 800 Euro including accommodation and are therefore easily covered by your stipend or salary.

If you want to apply directly after your BSc, you will need to pass an entry exam. Read more about this here.

Application

The new online application system will start on 10th April. Visit the webpage after 10th April for a link to this new online system which will give you up to date information about the status of your application, missing documents, submitted references and will also allow you to improve your application before submitting it.

For the application you will need the following documents in a pdf or jpeg format:

• Application form
• Letter of motivation on 1 page
• CV with photo
• English language certificate (if not native speaker)
• Certificates of your degrees (Diploma, MSc, BSc or Equivalent)
• Transcripts of your academic education (MSc and BSc or equivalent)
• Results of knowledge tests (if available)
• References (to be sent by your Referees directly)

References:
Your referees should use the Referee form that you will find here. Applicants should email it by using the official institutional email address or post it (signed and stamped). The contact information is on the referee form.