Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Institute of Botany and the Institute of Biochemistry
Country
Germany
City
Cologne
Main fields of study
Plant development, Plant pathogen interactions
Year of programme start
2002
Regional attractions
Cologne with music, theatre and cultural events, the river Rhine with ships, large green and hilly areas with national parks near Cologne.
Further details
Beginning in 1999 the Max Planck Society initiated the implementation of so called International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) as a new way to cooperate with partner universities in Germany. The intention of this ambitious plan is twofold. On the one hand, the Max Planck Society tries to intensify the collaboration with university affiliated research groups and faculty at home. On the other hand, due to the great demand of junior scientists, one was trying to attract qualified students from Germany and abroad to help train a new generation of scientists. It seemed reasonable to combine scientific leadership and technical expertise on a local scale by jointly offering this new way to train promising scientists from around the world. The Ph.D. program provides a true interdisciplinary approach for highly motivated students to receive a Ph.D. degree and to participate in cutting edge research. Major changes and adjustments were necessary to put this idea into reality. First, because of the international character, teaching and practical training had to be offered in English to make the program attractive for foreign students. Second, the training should target a very specific area of research for which the existing faculty is internationally known. Third, the research schools are intended to represent centres of excellence. The IMPRS at the Max Planck Institute of Plant Breeding Research together with the University of Cologne represent such a centre of excellence in the area of molecular plant science, and was formed in 2001. Currently, this IMPRS has about 40 Ph.D. students, where half come from countries outside of Germany. Admission is entirely linked to scientific merit and achievement.
Admission
Number of intake rounds/year
1
Deadline for 1st intake (month/day)
03/31
Deadline for 2nd intake (if any)
Number of admissions
12
Number of applications per year
Bachelors can apply
No
Degrees required
M. Sc. or equivalent
Selection criteria
Ranked: Performance record, motivation, experience in the field, recommendation letters, English.
Structure
Scheduled programme duration
Total PhD students/faculty
1-3
International PhD students
50%
Lab rotation
No
Number of research groups
40
Industry collaborations
No
Cumulative dissertation
No
Compulsory defense of thesis
Yes
Supervision
Supervisor of daily work, thesis committee with supervisor and 2nd supervisor, yearly scientific reports by student and evaluations by committee
Total annual (tuition) fees
Monthly salary or scholarship
1000 Euro tax free stipend
Courses
Contents of teaching
Methods in plant molecular biology, bioinformatics, soft skill courses(e.g. oral and written presentation, intercultural communciation, project managment)
International Max Planck Research School Molecular Plant Development and Environmental Interactions
