Who can apply for an internship at IMB?

We encourage applications from outstanding students who have studied molecular biology, bioinformatics, biotechnologies and related fields at university for at least three years. If you have already completed your Master’s degree and you are looking for a research internship to strengthen your practical skills before applying for a PhD, you can apply for an internship too.
If you are instead already doing your PhD, or you have already completed your PhD or medical studies, you cannot apply for the Internship Programme.

Which nationalities can apply for an internship at IMB?

We accept applications from students of any nationality. If you are not an EU-citizen and you are studying outside of Germany, please consider that we will need to file some additional paperwork prior to the start of your internship.

What do I need to apply for an internship at IMB?

You will need the following documents submitted via email, as a single PDF file:

• Application Form, completed electronically in English in all its parts
• Your CV, in English
• Your certificates (e.g. university degrees and transcripts)

Please read carefully the instructions on how to apply and the list of documents required on our Internship Application page. Please note that failing to submit an application according to our guidelines (e.g. information missing, motivation letter longer than 300 words, application submitted as multiple files), would result in ineligibility.

I have won an ERASMUS Fellowship to fund a research stay abroad. Can I apply for an internship at IMB?

Yes, applications from students who have an ERASMUS or other types of fellowships for a research internship are welcome.

I study at Mainz University and would like to do my Bachelor's/Master's thesis in a lab at IMB. Do I have to apply to the Internship Programme or can I directly contact my group of interest?

Students from Mainz University are encouraged to apply through our Internship Programme, to benefit from the support and training opportunities provided by IMB’s Professional Development Office.

I would like to do my university thesis in an IMB group; is that possible?

Yes, applications from university students who would like to write their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis working in one of IMB’s groups are welcome to apply.

Do I need to be enrolled at university to do an internship at IMB?

No, it is not necessary to be enrolled at university. You can apply for an internship also if you are in between your studies, or you have just completed your Master’s degree and you are looking for a research internship to strengthen your practical skills before applying for a PhD. However, please note that due to German regulations, if you are not enroled at university and you don't have funding to support your internship, we can offer you only a three months unpaid internship.

How long can a research internship be?

A research internship at IMB can last between one month and one year. The exact duration of your internship will depend on your university enrolment status and on whether you have funds to support your internship, and should be discussed with your hosting group leader.

What is the deadline to apply for an internship at IMB?

You can apply anytime for an internship at IMB. We recommend to send your application at least 4 months before the ideal start of your internship. Non-EU citizens studying at a non-German university during their internship should apply even earlier (5-6 months before the internship), due to administrative paperwork required for an internship in Germany. 
If you are considering to apply also for a fellowship in case of acceptance to the IMB Internship Programme, make sure to apply early enough to have time to submit your fellowship application and get feedback on it before starting your internship at IMB.

When will I know if my application has been successful?

The final outcome of your application is usually known within 4 weeks. Please make sure to check also your spam folder.

What kind of research internships do you offer?

We accept applications for thesis work (bachelor's and master's), ERASMUS internships and mandatory internships included your study programme. We also accept applications for voluntary internships in between your studies or outside of the requirements of your study regulations. Please note that if you are applying for a voluntary internship and you don't have a scholarship to fund it, we can host you only for an unpaid internship of maximum three months.

Which projects are offered for an IMB internship?

Please visit our Internship Application webpage to check if there are positions currently open for an internship. Please note that you can apply for any of the Participating Groups, even if they don't have an internship position open.
If you will apply for a group that doesn't have a specific internship project offered and you will be selected for an internship at IMB, you will most likely discuss directly with your hosting group leader which project you will work on.

Can I do an ERASMUS placement at IMB?

Yes, if you have already applied for and received an ERASMUS fellowship, you can apply to our Internship Programme; just make sure to state in your application that you have an ERASMUS fellowship.
If you haven't applied yet for an ERASMUS placement but would like to do it and join one of our groups, you can still apply; in this case, make sure to inform us about the timeline for your ERASMUS application (deadline, publication of outcomes, prospective start date).

Where will I stay during my internship?

Please note that unfortunately IMB doesn’t have a guest house. In case you are accepted for an internship at IMB, you will have to find accommodation on your own.

Is there a fellowship or financial aid for the internship?

There is unfortunately no fellowship or financial aid issued by IMB to students selected for a research internship. Please discuss with your hosting group leader if they have funds available to support you during your internship. However, please note that due to German regulations, if you are not enroled at university and you don't have your own funding (e.g. ERASMUS fellowship) we can host you for an unpaid internship of maximum 3 months.

What is the working language at IMB?

The official working language at IMB and in its research groups is English. For this reason, all internship trainees need to be fluent in spoken and written English. No previous knowledge of German language is required.

How do I apply for a research internship at IMB?

• Step 1: Have a look at the research topics of our participating groups.
• Step 2: Apply via our application form in Internship Application. Your application must be completed in English.
• Step 3: After a thorough evaluation of the received applications, we invite the best applicants for an internship at IMB.

Please visit our Internship Application webpage for more information on the steps and documentation required.

Will I receive a confirmation after applying?

You will receive a confirmation of your application via email. Due to the high number of enquires, we kindly ask you to be patient and understand that it may take us a few days to send you confirmation that we received your application.