Infection Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Epidemiology, Medical Biotechnology, Biophysics, and Quantitative Biology

The International Max Planck Research School for Infectious Diseases and Immunology (IMPRS-IDI) is excited to announce openings for up to seven fully funded PhD positions. We invite highly motivated candidates to join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment with projects at the forefront of infectious disease and immunology. Successful applicants will engage in innovative research at renowned institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charité-Universitäts­medizin Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin.

We offer:

• Cutting-edge research and training opportunities with access to state-of-the-art facilities
• A n excellent scientific network
• A prestigious graduate school program with a project-adapted curriculum (training courses, lectures, etc. on scientific, technical, and complementary skill topics) and a strong and active PhD community
• The opportunity for travel to present your work
• A stimulating international and multi-disciplinary research environment on a thriving campus in the heart of Berlin

The following seven PhD projects are available and will start between May and December 2025:

• Innate immune recognition in the gastrointestinal epithelium – organoids as host model (Bartfeld lab)
• Decoding the transcriptional rewiring controlling mycobacterial granuloma formation (Cronan Lab)
• Innate lymphoid cells, IL-22 and liver regeneration (Diefenbach lab)
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology: estimating the real burden of pertussis infections by evidence synthesis of case notification and seroprevalence data (Domenech de Cellès lab)
• Plasmodium falciparum cytoadhesion in seasonal malaria transmission areas (Portugal lab)
• Function of microtubules in Plasmodium morphology and mechanics throughout its life cycle (Reber lab)
• Cytoskeletal mechanics in neutrophil antimicrobial responses (Reber lab)

We are looking for:

• Creative and highly motivated candidates (m/f/div) of all nationalities and backgrounds who are truly committed to research
• Applicants with a strong background in biological sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, epidemiology, or a related discipline are encouraged to apply; for some projects, candidates with a strong quantitative skillset are sought – please check the project descriptions for individual requirements on our website
• Candidates must have an excellent M.Sc. or equivalent degree (it is not necessary to hold the final degree at the time of application, however the degree should be fully completed before project start)

Interested in joining us?

Submit your application via our online application platform until January 3rd 2025.

For more information on available projects, eligibility criteria, and the application process, please check the IMPRS-IDI website.

Contact: IMPRS-IDI Coordination Office (imprs-office@mpiib-berlin.mpg.de)