Welcome to the IMPRS “Principles of Microbial Life” in Marburg, Germany!


We are dedicated to offering  excellent research opportunities for junior scientists with background in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and bionformatics from all over the world. With us you can do a PhD in different branches of microbiological research, including
 
  • Cellular organization & architecture
  • Microbial communities & host-microbe interactions
  • Natural products & chemical biology
  • Physical biology
  • Physiology & metabolism
  • Signal transduction & information processing
  • Systems & synthetic biology.

Since 2003, the IMPRS in Marburg offers an international PhD program which provides interdisciplinary training in modern microbiology, state-of-the-art research facilities, and mentoring by world class scientists. Our thriving scientific community and academic landscape will give you the freedom to embark on your scientific journey!

Upcoming events

Dr. Timo Glatter

Introduction to mass spectrometry-based proteomics
Nov 10, 2025 09:00 AM (Local Time Germany) - Nov 14, 2025 05:00 PM
FB Biology and MPI-TM, Room: TBA

TBA

From AI to Impact: Leveraging AI Tools to Enhance Your Research and Scientific Career
Nov 10, 2025 09:00 AM (Local Time Germany) - Nov 14, 2025 05:00 PM
ZSM (Synmikro), Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 14, Room: TBA

Jana Natascha Jung

Identification and characterization of the XRE family transcriptional regulator DdiA, a co-regulator of the DNA damage response in Myxococcus xanthus
Nov 21, 2025 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Room: Lecture hall

Prof. Sean Elliott

The role of iron-sulfur cluster redox carriers in transforming carbon dioxide
Nov 24, 2025 01:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Room: Lecture Hall / Hybrid

Prof. Catherine L. Drennan

Capturing one-carbon chemistry, one-structural snapshot at a time
Nov 24, 2025 02:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Room: Lecture Hall / Hybrid
people are looking at a board with colored notes
Seminars, defenses, workshops & more.
Arms balancing a folding rule on the fingers
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter).
Microscopy
Check the possible hosts for your PhD.
Our graduate program International Max Planck Research School Principles of Microbial Life: From molecules to cells, from cells to interactions (IMPRS-µLife) is a collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, the University of Marburg and the Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO).
Go to Editor View