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

Graduate Students Mini Symposium II - 2026

Feb 16, 2026 01:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Room: Lecture Hall / Hybrid

Ana Lago Maciel

Characterization of the ethylene-forming methylthio-alkane reductase. Biochemical insights into nitrogenase-like enzymes bridging the nitrogen and sulphur cycles
Feb 20, 2026 12:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Room: Lecture hall

IMPRS Retreat

Mar 25, 2026 - Mar 27, 2026
Harnack Haus Berlin

IMPRS Selection Symposium

Apr 20, 2026 - Apr 22, 2026
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Room: Seminar Room 2, 3 and Lecture Hall
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Seminars, defenses, workshops & more.
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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).
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