Helmholtz Graduate School for Macromolecular Bioscience

The Graduate School

Profile

Macromolecular Biosciences is an important interdisciplinary field for graduate training and an important basis for understanding complex processes at the biomaterial-biology interface. This interdisciplinary topic requires skills in core subjects: polymer biomaterials, synthesis, biophysics, physical chemistry, nanotechnology, macromolecular and surface chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, and physiology. Aims of the Helmholtz Graduate School Macromolecular Bioscience are the training of graduate students in these core skills and to foster the understanding of interlinkages between the fields as well as their participation in the interdisciplinary "soft skills" program of the partner universities.

Objectives

The Helmholtz Graduate School Macromolecular Bioscience aims to improve the qualification of the participating PhD students and provide an optimal research environment towards their doctoral degree as the optimal start of their careers in science, industry or scientific administration. To achieve these principle objectives the Graduate School provides:

  • Interdisciplinary work and knowledge exchange in Biomaterial Science and Macromolecular Bioscience to become the next generation of biomaterial scientists
  • Access to interdisciplinary research infrastructure, (e.g. characterisation methods, funds for research)
  • Transfer gained knowledge to research activities
  • Build a strong personal career profile by defining professional goals and obtaining a broad range of soft skills
  • Develop and support national and international networking
  • Preparation for specialist and management positions in the job market
Requirements

Benefits

The Helmholtz Graduate School Macromolecular Bioscience provides an excellent state of the art research infrastructure and a supportive environment for doctoral students towards their doctorate. The Graduate School Macromolecular Bioscience will support candidates in the development of a strong personal career profile and to establish a strong network of young researchers in order to enhance the scientific output at the doctoral level. Integration in internationally high-rated research groups will give you a broad experience in research to develop and improve your own skills. Opportunities of participation in expeditions on board the various research vessels or at research stations are only one of the options within Macromolecular Bioscience.

Opportunities

  • Doctoral work in interdisciplinary research teams at one of the leading centres of biomaterial research
  • Intensive scientific training in the scientific topics of the Graduate School Macromolecular Bioscience
  • Translational projects with close links between basic and applied research in Macromolecular Bioscience
  • Access to state-of-the-art platforms and training in the latest technologies
  • Networking on an international scale, with financial support for attending conferences and for research stays at other outstanding institutions to promote knowledge exchange with colleagues, peers and leading international scientists
  • Promotion of independence and self-management
  • Intensive guidance and mentoring by a personal Thesis Committee
  • Design of an individual curriculum
  • Career promotion and training in management, leadership and communication through a broad range of transferable skill ("soft skill") courses
  • Networking with alumnis from science and industry
  • Conferral of a doctorate from either Freie University Berlin (winner in both periods of Germany’s Excellence Initiative competition) or University Potsdam

All these features of the structured PhD programme will prepare the doctoral students for successful careers in academia, industry and scientific management.

Research Areas/ Scientific Subjects

Reseacrh Areas Macrobio Ohnetitel