Deadline: 16 March 2012 if you need a visa to enter Germany and 16 April 2012 if you don’t need a visa
Open to: Candidates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences, candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply
Fellowship: A PhD stipend paid for three years according to the regulations of the DFG (German Research Foundation) as well as generous research funding
Description
The “Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC)” is an Excellence Graduate School as well as a lively network scientists at numerous natural & life sciences institutes and an umbrella organization for three Research Training Groups in Jena. The JSMC was awarded funding within the German Excellence Initiative in 2007.
Today, JSMC hosts a total of about 150 doctoral researchers. Their research projects are situated at the numerous institutes that are part of the JSMC network, including institutes and clinics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jenaas well as non-university research institutions.
Within the JSMC PhD training program a broad choice of courses is offered. This includes courses on experimental and analytical methods, many of which are organized by the JSMC faculty members. Through these courses, easy access to the state-of-the-art research facilities at the JSMC member institutes is facilitated. Further, courses in “transferrable skills” (e.g. scientific writing; presentation/networking skills…) are offered to the JSMC doctoral researchers in collaboration with the Jena Graduate Academy (GA)and other partners.
The aim of the JSMC training concept is to provide young researchers with a sound basis for both a career in academia as well as in industry. Therefore, twelve local industry partners further contribute to the JSMC PhD training program with workshops, seminars and internships.
JSMC invites applications for 14 PhD Student Fellowships.
Examples of scientific disciplines covered (click here for project descriptions):
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Geosciences
- Molecular Ecology
- Bioinformatics/Systems Biology
- Marine Chemical Ecology
- Organic Chemistry
- Medical Sciences
Fellowship
- a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top-level research facilities
- a PhD stipend paid for three years according to the regulations 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
Eligibility
- a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences. 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 as well as enthusiasm for actively participating in the lively JSMC Community
- very good communication skills in English (the language of instruction at the JSMC)
Application
Application is only possible online via the website. The JSMC Recruitment is a four-stage process:
Stage 1: Statement of Interest
Please acquaint yourself with the PhD projects offered within the current JSMC Recruitment Call. Download, complete, and submit the “Statement of Interest” form. Please note that applications can only be considered if a completed “Statement of Interest” is received before the deadline.
Please be prepared to submit your full application within one week following the deadline for submission of the “Statement of Interest”. You may be asked to apply at short notice. However, please DO NOT submit any documents other than the completed “Statement of Interest” form unless you are explicitly invited to do so.
Stage 2: Full Application
Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application (including CV, college or university credentials, list of theses and publications, passport photo, and letters of reference).
Stage 3: Telephone Interviews
Candidates with adequate qualifications may be asked to participate in a telephone interview for further evaluation.
Stage 4: JSMC Recruitment Meeting
Candidates who succesfully passed the first three selection stages will be invited to attend a JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena, Germany. Economy travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by JSMC. Successful candidates will be able to start with their JSMC PhD Fellowship shortly after the Recruitment Meeting (later starting dates can also be arrange
The JSMC Recruitment Meetings are meant as an opportunity for both sides – candidates and JSMC members – to get to know each other. They therefore include various events:
- Candidate lectures (the candidates present their research experience in 10+5 min talks)
- One-to-one interviews with project supervisors
- Visits to Institutes (to get to know the facilities and future colleagues)
- Get-together with the current PhD Fellows of JSMC
- Joint dinner with project supervisors (to discuss future plans in a relaxed atmosphere)
- Guided tour through the town of Jena
Please read the application guidelines carefully!
The 1st step of the application procedure is the submit the completed “Statement of Interest” form to apply-jsmc(at)uni-jena .
Please don’t send your application directly to the project supervisors. Contact them only if you have specific scientific questions on their projects.
Application Deadline (i.e. deadlines for submission of the completed ‘Statement of Interest’ form):
- March 16, 2012 (for all applicants who will require a visa to enter Germany and attend the recruitment meeting in June)
- April 16, 2012 (for applicants who will not require a visa to enter Germany)
For all other matters, please refer to the FAQ, the guide for completing the Statement of Interest, or send an email to apply-jsmc(at)uni-jena .
