Welcome to the International Max Planck Research School for Epigenetics, Biophysics and Metabolism (IMPRS-EBM) – a joint international PhD program of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics and the University of Freiburg.
The IMPRS-EBM PhD program is the successor of the successful International Max Planck Research School for Immunobiology, Epigenetics and Metabolism (IMPRS-IEM) terminating at the end of 2024. The new IMPRS-EBM program starting in January 2025 lies at the intersection of Epigenetics, Biophysics and Metabolism. It integrates strategies from molecular biology and biochemistry with biophysical and computational methods and is designed to equip doctoral researchers with the tools to study epigenetics from both a molecular biology perspective and through the lenses of metabolism and biophysics.
The research carried out at IMPRS-EBM focuses on diverse questions in the fields of:
EPIGENETICS
BIOPHYSICS
METABOLISM
CELL BIOLOGY
BIOCHEMISTRY
PROTEOMICS
BIOINFORMATICS
FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS
We offer talented doctoral researchers excellent training opportunities in the fields of Epigenetics, Biophysics, and Metabolism. Scientific education in a first-class environment supports their development into outstanding young scientists.
Our doctoral researchers receive employment contracts according to the guidelines of the Max Planck Society for the duration of their PhD research. The payment is sufficient to cover the monthly living costs in Freiburg. There are no tuition fees.
The IMPRS program is managed by the IMPRS office in collaboration with the IMPRS Spokesperson, and the members of the Steering Committee. We currently have 55 students from 23 countries. We are also very proud of our growing alumni group, which comprises more than 121 graduates.
What we offer
One of the distinctive aspects of our program is a rotation period. Doctoral researchers 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 doctoral researcher will be the best fit for their groups. Finally, this rotation phase enhances communication and networking within the Institute.
After the rotation period, doctoral researchers join the lab in which they will carry out their PhD work. The PhD project constitutes the core of the scientific training. IMPRS doctoral researchers benefit from the supervision of the respective group leader, interactions within the laboratory and collaborations within and outside the MPI-IE. The progress of all IMPRS doctoral researchers is regularly monitored by their thesis advisory committees (TACs).
A broad curriculum complements the laboratory training. This additional training program covers four major aspects - advanced scientific training, transferable career-critical skills, career development and networking.
One major aim of our scientific curriculum is to encourage our doctoral researchers to reflect on scientific questions combining biological knowledge and quantitative-analytical thinking. Our scientific training imparts skills in data science, informatics, and statistics, and puts this in a biological context.
Our transferable skills training supports the doctoral researchers in gaining secondary and soft skills and thus develop into successful and mature scientists.
In addition, IMPRS doctoral researchers will receive career development guidance and mentorship.
We strongly encourage participation in the annual PhD retreat organized by the PhD representatives. Furthermore, we support doctoral researchers' attendance at regional symposia and international scientific conferences and provide advice for future career planning.