Support for doctoral researchers
Pursuing your doctoral research here means you are part of an active community of over 80 doctoral researchers from over 25 countries in an interdisciplinary and stimulating environment.
All our doctoral researchers join our structured PhD program, the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) From Molecules to Organisms. The IMPRS provides doctoral researchers with the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of their field and is an excellent starting platform for a successful career in science and beyond.
Development opportunities
We offer in-house development opportunities and events to support our doctoral researchers in making the most of their doctorate, and to develop the personal and professional skills essential not only for interdisciplinary research but also for many other careers. You can also benefit from the training opportunities at the ‘Planck Academy’ from the Max Planck Society and at the University of Tübingen.
Doctoral researchers’ representatives
The doctoral researchers’ representatives serve as a direct link between the doctoral researchers and the institutes’ directors, group leaders and administration. They are elected by their peers and work in collaboration with the Researcher Support Team to organize activities for the doctoral researchers and to further enhance working and studying conditions.
The PhDnet representative represents the institutes’ doctoral researchers in the PhDnet, the network of all doctoral researchers of the Max Planck Society.
Current representatives
Christian Kirk
James Tan Sheng Yi
Radhika Sharma
Meghna Chatterjee
Mohannad Dardiry
PhD Student with Ralf Sommer
Next position after PhD: Postdoctoral researcher with Aissam Ikmi (EMBL Heidelberg)
“When I joined the PhD program at the MPI Tübingen, specifically Ralf Sommer lab, I was looking for an inclusive, cooperative, and competitive environment to learn and produce. And it was a fantastic fit for my ambition. Besides the dynamic environment in the MPI Tübingen, the institute is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that ease scientific achievements. On top of that, these facilities are run by experts who are always willing to teach and help. More importantly, during my PhD I had the freedom to explore different scientific approaches and apply my thoughts; I also had the chance to collaborate with other colleagues and other institutes. It was a beautiful experience that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.”
Thanvi Srikant
PhD Student with Detlef Weigel
Next position after PhD: Postdoctoral researcher with Kirsten Bomblies (IMPB, ETH Zürich)
“Being a PhD student in Prof. Detlef Weigel’s lab at the MPI for Biology in Tübingen has been one of my most memorable experiences, and I could not have asked for a better place to begin my academic journey. While working on plant epigenetics for my thesis project, I am grateful to have had inspiring mentors and peers with whom I could regularly discuss my scientific progress and brainstorm new ideas. Furthermore, I was encouraged to learn many techniques ranging from molecular biology to bioinformatics, which was also highly supported by the Institute’s core facilities.
One of the major advantages of working at the MPI is that it provides a platform to facilitate discussions on research across diverse model organisms that are being studied in different labs. The International PhD program also gave me access to several courses for honing my scientific communication skills and prepared me for future career prospects both in academia as well as industry. Finally, Tübingen is special to me, not only because of its natural beauty and how it attracts people from around the world, but also because of the many long-lasting friendships and academic connections I have made there.”
Marco Podobnik
PhD Student with Uwe Irion & Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard
Next position after PhD: Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Peter Currie (Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne)
“The Max Planck Institute for Biology offers you everything you need to do the best basic research. The campus is populated by great and, above all, friendly minds who are eager to help or collaborate with you on your exciting projects. It has a long tradition: Tübingen is the place where you can find something new and exciting. I am very grateful for the opportunities, freedom, and support I received during my time as a PhD student in the lab of Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard with Uwe Irion as my direct supervisor. Besides science, the city also offers local and Mediterranean markets, a remarkable music scene, and a vibrant nightlife. Tübingen is located close to the Swabian Jura and in the border triangle of Germany-France-Switzerland, which are beautiful regions for leisure activities.”