Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry Munich
Courses are held in English (100%).
The courses always start in spring. Depending on the topic, courses will either be held in person or online (only sometimes). Compulsory "primer" (foundational) courses (programming, statistics, bioinformatics, biophysics) are planned as intensive courses in the period March to July. Soft skill courses (Good Scientific Practice, Presentation Skills, Scientific Writing), lecture series talks / journal clubs, and bonus lectures will be scheduled individually throughout the year.
For current information, please visit: https://qbm.genzentrum.lmu.de/application/
The molecular biosciences are undergoing a major paradigm shift – away from analysing individual genes and proteins to studying large molecular machines and cellular pathways, with the ultimate goal of understanding biological systems in their entirety. The study of biomolecular systems poses major methodological and conceptual challenges, centred around the need for quantitative approaches. This includes the development of sensitive quantitative assays for in vitro and in vivo approaches; improved measurement techniques that ideally push resolution limits to the single molecule level; statistical methods to deal with high-dimensional, often noisy, data sets; and mathematical modelling approaches that reduce the dimensionality of parameter spaces and produce mechanistically realistic, experimentally testable predictions. As a result, systems-oriented biological research is inherently an interdisciplinary undertaking, involving biochemistry/structural biology, molecular and organismal genetics, biophysics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and theoretical physics. Recently, AI (AlphaFold, computer vision, etc.) has had a huge impact on life science, proving that this field is constantly changing.
The mission of QMB is to provide young scientists with the skills and resources to excel in this new multi-disciplinary environment. We seek to train a cohort of young scientists who, while firmly anchored in their primary disciplines, are well versed in multiple approaches and styles of thought. The goal is for the students to be comfortable communicating across traditional boundaries, especially across the divide between experiment and quantitative theory – to become, in effect, scientifically bilingual or multilingual. To this end, the school offers a structured PhD programme consisting of three components: an interdisciplinary research project jointly supervised by two PIs from different fields, a substantial programme of formal course work centred around an interdisciplinary core course that covers key problems in bioscience from multiple perspectives, and activities designed to enhance students' communication skills and their ability to succeed in the competitive profession of science.
Additional support is offered by the GraduateCenter.
QMB offers an integrated interdisciplinary PhD programme that consists of three main components:
1. An interdisciplinary research project that combines concepts and methods from different fields.
2. A substantial programme of formal course work with a general and an individual component:
3. Further activities to enhance students' communication and other transferable skills:
Workshops on scientific writing and scientific presentation as well as writing fellowship applications are offered, as are additional workshops on topics such as optimising communication, team, and leadership skills, project management, intercultural and gender awareness, and applying for jobs. These are offered as electives.
Basic fee of 85 EUR + additional fee for the "Deutschlandticket" (currently 49 EUR per month)
https://www.lmu.de/en/workspace-for-students/abc-study-guide/semester-ticket/index.html
Living costs (including accommodation and health insurance) in Munich range from 1,000 to 1,200 EUR per month.
Funding opportunities include the regular PhD position (65% E13).
LMU Travel Grant, LMU Completion Grant
Master's degree in any relevant discipline: biochemistry, biophysics, biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, experimental and theoretical biophysics, (physical) chemistry, and applied mathematics; two letters of recommendation and a proof of English proficiency. See this link for more details: https://qbm.genzentrum.lmu.de/application/requirements/.
Applicants must provide proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, comparable certificates, confirmation from previous academic institution, etc.).
For current information, please visit: https://qbm.genzentrum.lmu.de/application/
The International Office helps visiting academics, PhD students, and postdocs who are travelling to Munich for a set period of time to find accommodation.
For further information, please visit the following link:
https://www.lmu.de/en/study/important-contacts/international-office/index.html.
Rooms in shared flats are popular on the private market and reasonably priced at 400 to 800 EUR per month if located in central parts of Munich.
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