About

The study of the relationship between primary metabolism and growth in plants is the focus of the International Max Planck Research School "Primary Metabolism and Plant Growth" (IMPRS-PMPG), a joint doctoral programme between the University of Potsdam (UP) and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP). A detailed understanding of plant growth, arguably, represents one of the greatest challenges in plant physiology. It also has tremendous societal and economic implications. Biomass acquisition is a highly complex process that is influenced by an enormous diversity of endogenous and exogenous factors, including macronutrient availability, uptake, distribution and storage, the activities of the bioenergetics pathways (photosynthesis and respiration) and numerous abiotic factors, such as light, temperature and water availability and their impact on cellular growth. These interact with developmental aspects of growth, like pattern formation, cell division rates, cell expansion and organ development. Plant growth, seen from a physiological point of view as resource (carbon, nutrients) acquisition and its conversion into plant biomass, is the main focus of our research school. Our faculty includes professors and group leaders from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology and the Faculty of Science of the University of Potsdam. Research is at the core of the three-year programme of IMPRS-PMPG. We provide a unique training opportunity in modern plant science with a systems biology-oriented approach. Arabidopsis thaliana is our primary model organism, and our research projects use a range of methods - from molecular physiology, molecular phenotyping (-omics) technologies, and cutting-edge analytical techniques to bioinformatics and modelling. The doctoral candidates within IMPRS-PMPG come from a variety of scientific backgrounds - biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and related fields. Our doctoral students receive interdisciplinary scientific training through lecture series and seminar courses, with English as a working language. A part of our curriculum is devoted to transferable skills training, such as scientific presentation and writing, communication, team-work, etc. We aim to be as flexible as possible in our scientific and complementary skills training so that the curricular activities in IMPRS-PMPG fit the individual needs and interests of each doctoral student and his or her thesis project. Some doctoral students within IMPRS-PMPG pursue a joint research project in collaboration with professors and group leaders at the University of Melbourne, Australia and spend time in Potsdam and Melbourne. For more information, seeÂ Melbourne-Potsdam PhD ProgrammeÂ on our website.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Applicants for the programme should hold or be about to obtain a Master's or equivalent degree in a subject relevant to our programme (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, bioinformatics, informatics, mathematics, or related fields). The academic performance should be excellent (rank at or near top of class). Doctoral candidates register with the Science Faculty at the University of Potsdam. Doctoral studies require a university degree with at least four years of study and aÂ research thesis. If you are unsure whether you fulfil the degree requirements, please contact the IMPRS-PMPG coordinator.

Fee Information

How to Apply

Online application portal (open during application calls) Please see IMPRS-PMPG website for further information: https://www.mpimp-golm.mpg.de/IMPRS-PhD E-mail contact: [email protected]

International Max Planck Research School Primary Metabolism and Plant Growth (IMPRS-PMPG)