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At IMB, we explore the molecular biology of the nucleus with an overarching focus on gene regulation, epigenetics & genome stability

Apply for a research placement at IMB

Do you want to join one of IMB's research groups for a research placement or for your thesis work? You can apply anytime throughout the year. 

Find below an overview of our application procedure, eligibility rules and information on how to apply. For more information on research placements at IMB, including financial support, please read also our FAQs.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a research placement at IMB, you must fullfil the following criteria:

  • Fully completed application submitted via our online platform according to our instructions (see below), at least 4-5 months before the ideal start of your placement. If you are not an EU-citizen and you don't study within the EU, please apply at least 6 months before the ideal start of your placement.
  • Current enrollment at university in a life science related subject for a minimum of three years (unless you apply for Bachelor's thesis work). If you have already graduated, you can apply up to three months after the end of your studies.
  • Full details of at least one referee; if applicable, it should be someone who has supervised you in a research project.
  • High level of both spoken and written English.
  • Previous research experience is a plus.

Please note that if some required documents or information are missing from your application, we won't be able to process it.

Type & Duration of research stays

We accept applications for the following type of research stays: 

  • Bachelor and Master thesis work: duration according to your study programme's regulations.
  • Mandatory research experience required by your study programme (non-thesis work): duration according to your study programme's regulations.
  • ERASMUS placements: duration according to the fellowship.
  • Voluntary research placements = research placements not required by your study programme:
    • If you have third-party funding (i.e. a stipend/fellowship): duration according to the fellowship you've been granted.
    • If you don't have third-party funding: maximum 3 months.

Please read carefully also our FAQs section to know more about the different research placement types and financial support.

Financial support

We strongly encourage students interested in a research placement at IMB to seek funding to support their research stay. There are various funding options you can consider, such as:

  • ERASMUS fellowships: contact the Erasmus office at your home university for information on deadlines and how to apply.
  • DAAD funding: DAAD has mobility programmes for international students who wish to come to Germany for a research stay, e.g. RISE, IAESTE fellowships. Visit the DAAD website or contact your local DAAD office for information on available opportunities.
  • Fellowships from national or international private foundations: contact your home university's offices to enquire about foundations awarding fellowships for research placements and thesis work in your country. You can also check this short list of some fellowships available in Germany.

If you need more information on potential funding sources, please indicate so in your application and indicate why you are seeking financial support. Please read carefully also our FAQs section to know more about our research placements and financial support.

Application Process

Before you apply, please carefully read the information in the FAQs; please note that the majority of questions that we receive from applicants, are explained in in the FAQs section. Make sure to also check our example application form to prepare your application (see point 2 below).

Ready to apply for NexTPro? Follow the steps below! 

1) Choose your group(s) and projects of interest

For your NexTPro application, you can select up to 5 IMB research groups that you are interested in among any of the ones listed in our Participating Groups page. 

Please note that you can apply for any of the listed participating groups, whether they have a position currently advertised or not. 

2) Prepare your application

Once you have selected your groups of interest and you have read the FAQs, please see here a commented example of our application form. Make sure to carefully read it, to prepare at best your NexTPro application. The application must be submitted entirely in English. You will find the link to the real application form in step 3.

Information requested in the application form:

  • Your personal data, including your current university or institute affiliation and contact details.
  • Details of your current or most recent studies (BSc, MSc). If you have just finished your bachelor's studies but you haven't started your master's studies yet, please fill in information related to your bachelor's studies. If you are currently a Master's student, please fill in information related to your master's studies.
  • IMB research groups that you are interested in working with; up to 5 may be selected (please write the family name of the group leader).
  • Motivational statement describing your interest in a research placement at IMB and in your chosen groups (maximum 1 page). Make sure to include information on your plans for future studies, or relevant deadlines e.g. for your Erasmus application.

In addition, you will need to submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

  • Curriculum vitae, including:
    - Details on your degrees (BSc, MSc).
    - Details on any research experience (internships, research stays abroad) during your studies.
    - Details of any other post-graduate degrees, awards, honours or distinctions.
    - List of your international peer-reviewed publications (PubMed format) and your conference contributions (title of presentation or poster, date and location of the conference), if applicable.
    - Full contact details of at least one referee. Your referees should be senior scientists (group leaders or professors) and know you well, if possible having supervised you during a research project.
  • Your certificates, including:
    - University registration certificate that confirms your status as a student (if applicable).
    - University studies as far as completed (including certificates of qualification and transcripts of records showing your grades).
    - High school certificate.
    - Relevant extra-curricular activities or awards.
    - English language test certificate (optional).

If your degrees and university records or high school certificates are not available in English, you can still submit them in their original language as long as they are in Latin alphabet. Otherwise, we kindly ask you to submit also an English translation. Please note that we do not require a notarised translation for this application. 

3) Submit your application

Step 1

Prepare one single PDF file (max size 5 MB) including:

  • Your CV, in English
  • Your certificates

Step 2

Fill in the online form by clicking on the “Apply” button below. Make sure to upload the PDF with all your documents in the CV-upload field. 

Please note that once submitted, your application cannot be modified. For enquires or issues with the online application form, please contact training(at)imb.de.

If degree forms and records from your university or high school certificates are not available in English, we do not require notarised translations for this application. If you encounter any technical problems, please contact us (email).

4) Selection of participants

Please note that we screen evaluations monthly, on the 15th of each month (excluding weekends). Your application will be evaluated in a multi-level selection process which may include an interview with our group leaders. We kindly ask for your understanding that it may take about 4 weeks after submission until we inform you of the final outcome.