The Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. It conceptionally unites different research areas (microbial communities, interactions with plant, animal and human hosts, and environmental interactions) into a comprehensive picture of microbial communication (www.jsmc.uni-jena.de). JSMC is an ambitious Graduate School with over 150 PhD students who are educated in a structured, interdisciplinary training program based on top-level fundamental research. Five faculties of Friedrich Schiller University Jena, six non-university research institutes as well as 13 partner companies are participating in this cutting-edge research and training program that includes an innovative PhD program, career development, and intensive sociocultural care. Three existing Research Training Groups and 12 other cooperative research projects collaborate in integrating novel research areas to achieve a complete view of microbial communication.

The Graduate School of Excellence ‘JSMC’ invites applications for

7 PhD Student Fellowships for research topics in various fields in Natural and Life Sciences

We expect:
• a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural Sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, etc.). Candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply.
• high motivation and interest in joining one of the interdisciplinary research areas of the JSMC
• creativity and interest in shaping your own thesis project
• an integrative and cooperative personality
• very good communication skills in English (the language of instruction at the JSMC)

We offer:
• a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top-level research conditions
• a PhD stipend paid for three years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation) as well as generous research funding
• a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
• a top-level PhD training program with courses in state-of-the-art research technologies and soft skills
• Jena – the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively town with dynamic business activities, successful scientific centers of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich Schiller University

Scholarship Application Deadline:29 April 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application