The IMPRS for Molecular Life Sciences: From Biological Structures to Neural Circuits (IMPRS-LS) is a center of excellence for the training of PhD students in the areas of biochemistry, cell biology, molecular medicine, neurobiology and structural biology. The research school takes an interdisciplinary approach to integrate these different research areas to provide a multidisciplinary PhD program. Currently, more than 150 top-class students are undertaking their PhD with us.
The IMPRS-LS is operated by the MPI of Biochemistry and the MPI of Neurobiology but also works in close collaboration with the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) and the Technical University Munich (TUM). Our students either are based at one of the MPIs or conduct their research at one of our partner universities. IMPRS-LS is proud to work with the LMU and TUM, which consistently rank amongst the best universities in Germany.
An English-speaking structured PhD program organized by Munich-based Max Planck Institutes and Universities.
State-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research projects.
Individual supervision and mentoring from research scientists who are leaders in their respective fields.
Full funding for international and German students, with no tuition costs and additional funding for scientific trainings and internships.
Our interdisciplinary network and curriculum
IMPRS-LS acts as a platform to encourage better networking and scientific exchange as an integral part of our doctoral training. In addition to high-level scientific training in a top-class research environment, the IMPRS-LS offers a comprehensive curriculum of further training and activities. The curricular program covers a wide array of transferable skills and includes multi-step career mentoring, specifically aimed at preparing our doctoral students for the challenges of a professional career on the global market, whether that will be in academia, industry, or beyond.
The diversity in our PhD program, both in terms of people and research, is vital to our success as a cutting-edge research school. We are international and interdisciplinary. Around half of our students are German and the remaining half comes from all over the world.
Our school’s particular research activities center around three distinct but well-connected research branches:
uncovering of molecular mechanisms regulating biological processes,
analyzing complex biological systems
and deciphering the intricate network of neural circuits leading to corresponding behavioral responses.
How is the program structured?
IMPRS-LS works closely with our research faculty and collaborative partners to ensure that our doctoral program best reflects the needs of our students. We work hard to provide students with flexibility and support to allow them to achieve their full potential in their chosen area of research. And we believe that results of our approach to PhD student training and program organization speak for itself: at the end of their studies, our students contribute to an average of 3 publications. An impressive 20% of our students have their work published in the top journals - Nature, Science or Cell (approximately 50% thereof as first or co-first author).
Key to this is the existence of a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), which serves to supervise, guide and mentor doctoral students. TAC consists of at least 3 experienced scientists, who are able to provide expert advice for the PhD project. The main purpose of the TACs is to offer our students scientific input and critical feedback regarding their thesis research project, to foster our student's personal and scientific growth and to ensure a timely completion of the thesis project. To illustrate this, the TAC should scientifically contribute and, for example, could recommend modifications to a proposed project and/or research approach. The TAC could also specify a work plan for accomplishing defined goals necessary for completing the thesis research within the target of 4 years. Moreover, individual members of the TAC are encouraged to help resolve potential conflicts of interest between a doctoral student and the primary supervisor should they arise or become apparent. Finally, members of the TAC are welcome to serve as mentors to advise the doctoral student regarding strategic career decisions, professional development and other related issues.
Another important aspect of IMPRS is that our students have access to the learning and training opportunities most relevant to them. The majority of curricular activities are chosen specifically by the students to allow them to tailor their learning in a way that best suits their needs and interests. Students are required to earn 25 ECTS credits during their doctoral studies, which can be accumulated by participating in a variety of different activities as outlined below. We believe our flexible approach maximizes our students’ opportunities to further their learning.The curricular activiities organized by IMPRS-LS consist of six different components:
Interdisciplinary lecture series
IMPRS-LS seminar
Transferrable skills workshops
Advanced method training opportunities
Career development program
Annual IMPRS-LS retreat
Further to the curricular activities organized by IMPRS-LS, our students are also able to participate in numerous advanced courses, lectures and workshops organized by our university partners. Moreover, students are encouraged to participate in external training activities including EMBO workshops, advanced summer schools or Marie Curie Training Courses, which offer excellent opportunities for training, networking and scientific exchange. A generous IMPRS-LS travel allowance is available to fund external training activities and conference attendance.
Through our curriculum, we ensure that our students have access to the most relevant and up to date training and are exposed to cutting-edge research taking place within the institute. Networking is an important feature of our curriculum and we encourage our students to get to know each other at the events we organize.
We strive to encourage collaboration between faculty members and local partner institutions through the organization of both internal and cross-campus events, thereby providing platforms for our students to communicate innovative and cutting-edge research. These collaborative events help to establish a network of contacts with fellow students and senior researchers that become the basis for scientific interaction and that often happily lead to our students forming long-lasting friendships. We believe that interdisciplinary research and collaboration is crucial to ensuring that the IMPRS-LS PhD program maintains its place at the forefront of research in molecular life sciences.
Our people
With around 140 current students and 60 faculty members, the IMPRS-LS here in Munich is one of the largest International Max Planck Research Schools in Germany. Whilst the research school has expanded substantially in the last decade, we maintain close relationship with our students and friendly atmosphere, which characterizes our program.
The diversity in our PhD program, both in terms of people and research, is vital to our success as a cutting edge research school; around half of our students are German and the remaining half are international, coming from 44 different countries around the world. IMPRS-LS works closely with our research faculty and collaborative partners to ensure our doctoral program best reflects the needs of our students. We work hard to foster an inclusive environment defined by flexibility and care and aim to support our students to allow them to achieve their full potential in their chosen area of research. Our successful approach to PhD student training and program organization speaks for itself; at the end of their studies, our students contribute to an average of 3 publications. An impressive 20% of our students have their work published in the top journals Nature, Science or Cell (approximately 50% thereof as first or co-first author).
Working and living in Munich
At IMPRS-LS, we do not underestimate the importance of enjoying your free time in Munich whilst you are working hard towards gaining your PhD. In 2016, Munich was voted the 4th best city in the world for quality of life according the 18th Mercer Quality of Life Study and has so much to offer those lucky enough to call it home, whether you enjoy relaxing in a beer garden in summer or trying out one of the many local ski resorts in winter.
Want to join us?
If you are interested in conducting world-class research in a lively and dynamic environment, the IMPRS-LS PhD program is for you. Our program will be a unique and unforgettable experience and the fact that 95% of our students would recommend the program to others speaks for itself.
If you are talented, creative and enthusiastic about science, we would be delighted to welcome you to join us at the IMPRS-LS Munich. Call for fully funded PhD positions is open every year from September to November.
Information about the application: imprs-ls.de
