The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) "The Exploration of Ecological Interactions with Molecular and Chemical Techniques" in Jena, Germany, invites applications for 5 PhD positions beginning in January 2018. The overarching research topic is the use of molecular, chemical and neuroethological techniques to experimentally explore ecological interactions under natural conditions. The main focus is on the relationship between plants, microbes and herbivores, and their environment, as well as the evolutionary and behavioral consequences of these interactions. We offer 15 exciting projects focusing on different organisms and approaches. The complete list of projects offered including project descriptions is available on our website (http://imprs.ice.mpg.de/ext/index.php?id=420#header_logo).
We are looking for enthusiastic PhD students with strong interests in the above-described central topic. Applicants should have or be about to obtain a Masters or equivalent degree in one of the following fields: ecology, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, entomology, neurobiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology and genetics. Exceptional candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may also be considered. All our projects are highly integrative and require willingness to closely collaborate with researchers of different backgrounds. The Research School is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University, and the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology Jena. We offer state-of- the art equipment, an excellent research environment, supervision by a thesis committee and a structured training program including scientific courses, training in transferable skills and internal conferences. Successful candidates will receive a Max Planck support contract. There are no tuition fees and the working language is English. Application deadline is August 18, 2017. For detailed information on the IMPRS, projects offered and application requirements, please visit our website: http://imprs.ice.mpg.de/. Please apply online from July 10, 2017, at: https://imprs-reg.ice.mpg.de/ .
