The International Max Planck Research School for Computational Biology and Scientific Computing educates students at the interface of computer science and biology. The school is a joint graduate program of the Freie Universität Berlin (FU) and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG). The program features a comprehensive training consisting of

• the PhD thesis work in one of the research groups of the school
• a curriculum comprised of lectures, scientific meetings and workshops in transferable skills
• the possibility for international cooperations and travel

In a well-proven and successful curriculum built around bioinformatics and scientific computing courses at the FU, students have the opportunity to attend lectures while working on their PhD research. Courses, seminars and joint research work foster the establishment of a close-knit community of graduate students where scientific experience and knowledge is exchanged.

The graduate program can be entered with either a master's or bachelor's degree; Read more ->

To select the most promising students from around the world for our training program, we employ a two-step selection process consisting of a written online application and a selection symposium at the MPI.

1.) Online Application

Our application platform is accessible here and will stay open until 24th of February, 2017.

With the application we ask for

• a letter of motivation
• a formal CV
• your certificates
• the names of two referees who will write a reference letter by the deadline
  
• and a research proposal (best based on the project proposals from the faculty labs)

After the deadline, all applications are reviewed by the coordinator and the faculty. A shortlist of around 15 applicants will be invited to the selection symposium, which is held on 18th-19th of May, 2017.

2.) Selection Syposium: The Admission Assessment Days, 18th - 19th of May, 2017

Invited students will stay 2-3 days in Berlin and present themselves and their research in a short talk. After this session, the prospective PhD student is interviewed by the panel of the faculty.

On the second day, individual interviews are scheduled on the basis of mutual interests. The applicants can meet the research groups of their prospective supervisors and ask in-depths questions about their future research. Based on the impression of these two assessment days, the faculty chooses students who will be offered a position in the IMPRS.

3.) Admission

Selected students can join the school in autumn, best starting on 1st of September. The coordinator will assist with administrative issues and offer support for international students to help with the transition into this exciting phase of life.