The International Max Planck Research School “Principles of Microbial Life” in Marburg is offering fully funded PhD positions for 2026. This interdisciplinary program is designed for early-career scientists interested in microbiology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, and related fields. Research areas include cellular organization and architecture, microbial communities and host-microbe interactions, natural products and chemical biology, physical biology, physiology and metabolism, signal transduction and information processing, and systems & synthetic biology.

Applicants will join a vibrant scientific community at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and the University of Marburg, with access to state-of-the-art research facilities and cutting-edge projects. The program emphasizes computational enzyme design and directed evolution, as well as opportunities to explore other labs conducting advanced research in microbiology and biochemistry.

Eligibility requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, chemistry, chemical biology, physics, biophysics, geochemistry, or a related field. Selection is based on scientific competence, motivation, recommendation letters, and program fit. The application portal opens December 1, 2025, and closes January 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted online; incomplete or emailed applications are not accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will participate in online interviews in March, followed by an on-site Selection Symposium in Marburg in April, where travel expenses are covered. Successful applicants will be notified within a week after the symposium. The program starts in October 2026, with flexibility for earlier research project starts upon agreement with supervisors.

For more information, visit the IMPRS Marburg website or contact [email protected].