International Max Planck Research School for molecular and cellular Life Sciences

Max Planck Research Schools
To date more than 43 International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) have been established in Germany, representing joint cooperatives of Max Planck Institutes and German universities respectively. The concept for these PhD programs was jointly developed in 1999 by the Max Planck Society and the so called "Hochschul Rektoren Konferenz" (HRK) a body, representing all German universities. The aim of these programs is to offer German and international doctoral students a first class education in vibrant, innovative and interdisciplinary research environments with state of the art facilities and cutting edge research projects. Each International Max Planck Research School offers a PhD training program covering a specific topic in one of the following areas: chemistry, physics, technology, biology & medicine or human sciences. In contrast to traditional doctoral education in Germany where a doctoral student is trained and supervised by an individual professor, these research schools offer structured programs with a defined curriculum and a supervision by a committee of normally 3 or more expert scientists. Language of instruction is English but for interested international students German language courses are provided.

Max Planck Research School for molecular and cellular Life Sciences
The International Max Planck Research School for molecular and cellular Life Sciences (short IMPRS-LS) to date is composed of some 30 research groups from the Munich area, covering many different aspects of life sciences including biochemistry, cell biology, molecular medicine, neurobiology and structural biology. The research oriented PhD program is jointly organised by the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology and the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in cooperation with two of Germany's leading universities, the Ludwig Maximilians University and the Technical University of Munich. The IMPRS-LS was founded in 2004 and is embedded in the already existing graduate programs of the participating institutes. Annually, out of several hundred applicants 15 to 25 doctoral students from all over the world are selected to participate in the program. Entry requirement for the 3-year program is a MSc degree (or equivalent) in the fields of biology,biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, medicine or in a related discipline. A one year preparatory program is available to outstanding applicants with a Bachelor's degree allowing a fast track path towards a doctoral degree for candidates from Europe and the US. The doctoral degree is normally awarded by one of the two participating Munich universities. International doctoral students may also obtain their doctoral degree from a university residing in their home country.

External link

 * Homepage of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences