phd brochure
TRANSCRIPT
EMBL International PhD ProgrammeExcellence in advanced training
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Welcome to the EMBL International PhD Programme 4
Freedom for your independent spirit 6
What’s the best thing about doing your PhD at EMBL? 9
EMBL research units 12
EMBL sites 16
Our partner universities 19
A quick guide to the programme 20
Table of contents
3
EMBL Heidelberg,Germany
EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, UK
EMBL Hamburg,Germany
EMBL Monterotondo,Italy
EMBL Grenoble,France
The years you spend as a PhDstudent play a pivotal role in yourcareer as a scientist. The personalfriendships and professionalnetworks you make during thistime, as well as the spirit of doingscience that you encounter duringyour PhD, will shape the rest ofyour working life. Clearly, asuccessful PhD project will alsoopen doors that may otherwise bedifficult to step through.
Doing science ‘EMBL style’ meansthat you work at the cutting edgeof science in a laboratory that hasbeen ranked as the top non-USresearch institution in the world*.Our research projects areinterdisciplinary and offer excitingopportunities for biologists,chemists, physicists, computerscientists, mathematicians andmedical graduates who want topursue a PhD in the molecular lifesciences.
Unique in the world and waiting for you
Welcome to the EMBL International PhD Programme
* ISI Science Indicator, World Rankings in Molecular Biology and Genetics,1997 – 2007.
Do you want to work in aninternational environment and insmall groups with close contact tomentors? Collaboration andcollegiality are hallmarks of thesuccessful and fun EMBL culture.Whether you are looking for afriendly lab with open doors or apowerful scientific network, EMBLoffers both.
In addition to hosting open andinteractive research groups andproviding state-of-the-artequipment, EMBL is a hub for thebest scientists in the world. Itsseminar programme is matched byfew. We are committed toproviding a fine balance betweencarefully mentoring students andfostering early independence. Ourstudents are not only activeresearchers, but they also take partin many other initiatives: theyindependently organise theacclaimed EMBL PhD StudentSymposia, participate in Scienceand Society debates and meetings,
and relax with the many musical,sports and social activities availableat EMBL. Our students also havethe privilege of exploring andbenefiting from the enrichingenvironments of EMBL’s five sites,located in Germany, Italy, Franceand the UK. As EMBL students,you are ambassadors of yourculture and country to EMBL, andof EMBL to your home country.
The EMBL International PhDProgramme is also unique in theway its students obtain their PhDdegree. We have establishedpartnerships with some of the bestuniversities across Europe to awardjoint PhD degrees with EMBL.Consequently, you may obtain yourdegree from either one of EMBL’spartner universities or from anational university of your choice.
We invite you to apply to becomean active member of the ‘EMBLculture’, so please read on.
We are committed to making thesemost valuable years of yours a greatsuccess.
4
Right, Helke Hillebrand, Dean of Graduate Studiesand Lars Steinmetz, Joint Head of Genome BiologyUnit and EIPP Academic Mentor; left, former DeansAnne Ephrussi, Head of Developmental Biology Unitand EICAT Coordinator and Matthias Hentze,Associate Director of EMBL
Helke Hillebrand and Lars Steinmetz
The years you spend as a PhDstudent play a pivotal role in yourcareer as a scientist. The personalfriendships and professionalnetworks you make during thistime, as well as the spirit of doingscience that you encounter duringyour PhD, will shape the rest ofyour working life. Clearly, asuccessful PhD project will alsoopen doors that may otherwise bedifficult to step through.
Doing science ‘EMBL style’ meansthat you work at the cutting edgeof science in a laboratory that hasbeen ranked as the top non-USresearch institution in the world*.Our research projects areinterdisciplinary and offer excitingopportunities for biologists,chemists, physicists, computerscientists, mathematicians andmedical graduates who want topursue a PhD in the molecular lifesciences.
Unique in the world and waiting for you
Welcome to the EMBL International PhD Programme
* ISI Science Indicator, World Rankings in Molecular Biology and Genetics,1997 – 2007.
Do you want to work in aninternational environment and insmall groups with close contact tomentors? Collaboration andcollegiality are hallmarks of thesuccessful and fun EMBL culture.Whether you are looking for afriendly lab with open doors or apowerful scientific network, EMBLoffers both.
In addition to hosting open andinteractive research groups andproviding state-of-the-artequipment, EMBL is a hub for thebest scientists in the world. Itsseminar programme is matched byfew. We are committed toproviding a fine balance betweencarefully mentoring students andfostering early independence. Ourstudents are not only activeresearchers, but they also take partin many other initiatives: theyindependently organise theacclaimed EMBL PhD StudentSymposia, participate in Scienceand Society debates and meetings,
and relax with the many musical,sports and social activities availableat EMBL. Our students also havethe privilege of exploring andbenefiting from the enrichingenvironments of EMBL’s five sites,located in Germany, Italy, Franceand the UK. As EMBL students,you are ambassadors of yourculture and country to EMBL, andof EMBL to your home country.
The EMBL International PhDProgramme is also unique in theway its students obtain their PhDdegree. We have establishedpartnerships with some of the bestuniversities across Europe to awardjoint PhD degrees with EMBL.Consequently, you may obtain yourdegree from either one of EMBL’spartner universities or from anational university of your choice.
We invite you to apply to becomean active member of the ‘EMBLculture’, so please read on.
We are committed to making thesemost valuable years of yours a greatsuccess.
4
Right, Helke Hillebrand, Dean of Graduate Studiesand Lars Steinmetz, Joint Head of Genome BiologyUnit and EIPP Academic Mentor; left, former DeansAnne Ephrussi, Head of Developmental Biology Unitand EICAT Coordinator and Matthias Hentze,Associate Director of EMBL
Helke Hillebrand and Lars Steinmetz
“EMBL’s International PhD Programme is a key part of the institute. The students create a youthful, dynamicatmosphere in the lab and we give them the resources and help they need to succeed.”
Iain Mattaj, EMBL Director-General
180 students are currentlyenrolled in the programme
5
Freedom for your independent spirit
6
Imagine a career that takes youanywhere you want to go. Whereyou can focus on bold questionswhose answers will shape thefuture of science. This is a PhD inmolecular biology, a frontier wide-open for discovery, which offersyoung people from manydisciplines wonderful careeropportunities all over the world.
Choosing the right career path isnot easy. As you finish yourundergraduate degree, you willlikely find yourself facing manyopportunities. A PhD is one optionthat stands out above the rest. Itallows you to develop yourindependent scientific thinking,exercise your creativity, solve
150 applicants (out of ~1000) are invited for an interview every year
fundamental biological problemsand surround yourself with like-minded colleagues and advisors.
Choosing where to do your PhDdegree is another importantdecision. Many factors come intoplay when you look for aninstitution. EMBL’s excellentresources and solid funding meanthat you have the security to focuson your project. The lack ofbarriers between research unitsgives you a chance to collaboratewith scientists from differentdisciplines, bringing out the bestideas and solutions to problems.An ‘open door’ policy gives you thechance to discuss projects and thechallenges that are invariably
associated with novel research.And camaraderie among yourcolleagues gives you the supportyou need to become anindependent thinker andresearcher.
The EMBL International PhDProgramme provides the idealenvironment for ambitiousstudents. Our resources, facilities,and staff are second to none. Wecontinually strive to make this thebest possible place for creative PhDstudents. Over the course of yourstudies, you will develop newinsights, mature into a modernresearcher and make importantcontributions to the life sciences.
7
Taking science from the bench to society
Cleopatra Kozlowski
Nationality: British/Japanese/PolishGraduated from EMBL in 2007. Cleo is now a postdoc atGenentech Inc., a large biotech company in SanFrancisco, California
“Being among people in the pure pursuit ofknowledge is very important in learning to ask theright questions.”
As a child, Cleo was always curious about how things worked –“especially the weird things,” she says. “What first motivated meto study biology may have been the images of a two-headed flyin a first year molecular biology course about the role of Hoxgenes in development.”
While studying at Cambridge University in the UK, Cleodecided that EMBL was the place to continue building herscientific career, so she applied to the Cell Biology andBiophysics Unit. There she pursued her PhD in the modelling ofspindle positioning in the C. elegans embryo using computersimulations. “Although I had worked as a summer student andundergraduate in several institutions, EMBL was the first placewhere I found everybody – from masters students to the headsof labs – to be truly dedicated to basic science,” she says. “It wasvery motivating to be among an international group of peoplewho are united by their interest in understanding life. For a PhDstudent, being among people in the pure pursuit of knowledge isvery important in learning to ask the right questions. That’s whyI’m very glad that I was at EMBL at the PhD stage of myscientific career.”
Cleo also enjoyed her EMBL experience outside the lab. “As a‘hybrid’ myself (I’m half Japanese, half Polish), I felt reallycomfortable in the international environment,” she says. “I alsotruly enjoyed my time in Heidelberg, and visiting thesurrounding beautiful German villages.”
Giuseppe Testa
Nationality: ItalianGraduated from EMBL in 2001. Giuseppe is now at theLaboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, European Institute ofOncology, Milan. He is a recipient of the Branco WeissFellowship ‘Society in Science’.
“EMBL unleashes your scientific curiosity andencourages you to take science beyond the bench.”
During his studies at medical school in Perugia, Italy, Giuseppebecame increasingly fascinated with molecular biology – seeing itas the real future of medicine. He knew that EMBL was the place hewanted to be. “When EMBL called me for an interview, I didn’thesitate,” he says.
At EMBL, Giuseppe enjoyed the vibrant mix of languages, culturesand people. “You feel really immersed in Europe at EMBL, and thefriendships that you build during your PhD stay with you long afteryou leave the lab,” he says.
As a PhD student at EMBL, Giuseppe felt encouraged to pursue hisintellectual curiosity and push boundaries. His research focused onestablishing a mouse model of an acute form of leukemia and led tothe breakthrough development of a new approach for theengineering of the mouse genome. This project gave him the toolswith which to pursue his current work on the differentiation ofembryonic stem cells.
Giuseppe also took an active role in the laboratory’s ‘Science andSociety’ activities. He helped to open the dialogue between scienceand the public, and pursued the social implications ofbiotechnology through reading clubs, study sessions, conferencesand workshops, while doing postdoctoral research in Dresden. This involvement led him to start a similar initiative while inDresden, where he chaired the Dresden Forum on Science andSociety at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology andGenetics. For his interdisciplinary project on the legal and ethicalframing of cloning and stem cell research in different politicalcultures, he was awarded the prestigious Branco Weiss Fellowship‘Society in Science’ in 2003.
Modelling spindle positioningin the C. elegans embryo
EMBL Graduates
8
Taking science from the bench to society
Cleopatra Kozlowski
Nationality: British/Japanese/PolishGraduated from EMBL in 2007. Cleo is now a postdoc atGenentech Inc., a large biotech company in SanFrancisco, California
“Being among people in the pure pursuit ofknowledge is very important in learning to ask theright questions.”
As a child, Cleo was always curious about how things worked –“especially the weird things,” she says. “What first motivated meto study biology may have been the images of a two-headed flyin a first year molecular biology course about the role of Hoxgenes in development.”
While studying at Cambridge University in the UK, Cleodecided that EMBL was the place to continue building herscientific career, so she applied to the Cell Biology andBiophysics Unit. There she pursued her PhD in the modelling ofspindle positioning in the C. elegans embryo using computersimulations. “Although I had worked as a summer student andundergraduate in several institutions, EMBL was the first placewhere I found everybody – from masters students to the headsof labs – to be truly dedicated to basic science,” she says. “It wasvery motivating to be among an international group of peoplewho are united by their interest in understanding life. For a PhDstudent, being among people in the pure pursuit of knowledge isvery important in learning to ask the right questions. That’s whyI’m very glad that I was at EMBL at the PhD stage of myscientific career.”
Cleo also enjoyed her EMBL experience outside the lab. “As a‘hybrid’ myself (I’m half Japanese, half Polish), I felt reallycomfortable in the international environment,” she says. “I alsotruly enjoyed my time in Heidelberg, and visiting thesurrounding beautiful German villages.”
Giuseppe Testa
Nationality: ItalianGraduated from EMBL in 2001. Giuseppe is now at theLaboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, European Institute ofOncology, Milan. He is a recipient of the Branco WeissFellowship ‘Society in Science’.
“EMBL unleashes your scientific curiosity andencourages you to take science beyond the bench.”
During his studies at medical school in Perugia, Italy, Giuseppebecame increasingly fascinated with molecular biology – seeing itas the real future of medicine. He knew that EMBL was the place hewanted to be. “When EMBL called me for an interview, I didn’thesitate,” he says.
At EMBL, Giuseppe enjoyed the vibrant mix of languages, culturesand people. “You feel really immersed in Europe at EMBL, and thefriendships that you build during your PhD stay with you long afteryou leave the lab,” he says.
As a PhD student at EMBL, Giuseppe felt encouraged to pursue hisintellectual curiosity and push boundaries. His research focused onestablishing a mouse model of an acute form of leukemia and led tothe breakthrough development of a new approach for theengineering of the mouse genome. This project gave him the toolswith which to pursue his current work on the differentiation ofembryonic stem cells.
Giuseppe also took an active role in the laboratory’s ‘Science andSociety’ activities. He helped to open the dialogue between scienceand the public, and pursued the social implications ofbiotechnology through reading clubs, study sessions, conferencesand workshops, while doing postdoctoral research in Dresden. This involvement led him to start a similar initiative while inDresden, where he chaired the Dresden Forum on Science andSociety at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology andGenetics. For his interdisciplinary project on the legal and ethicalframing of cloning and stem cell research in different politicalcultures, he was awarded the prestigious Branco Weiss Fellowship‘Society in Science’ in 2003.
Modelling spindle positioningin the C. elegans embryo
EMBL Graduates
8
“The predoc course was great– getting to know all of thestudents was the best way tostart my PhD” – Jelena Erceg,EMBL PhD student fromCroatia.Every year, EMBL accepts about 50students into its International PhDProgramme. These students willwork at any of the EMBL sites,taking up positions in Hamburg,Grenoble, Heidelberg, Hinxton, orMonterotondo. But before theystart working in their labs, thestudents are brought together inHeidelberg for a two-month corecourse in molecular biology to getan overview of the research atEMBL and to hear about new areasof science. Students learn where togo if they need help on a certainproblem or technique during theirPhD. They also participate inpractical activities, journal clubsand discussions.
Many of our students come fromphysics, mathematics andchemistry backgrounds and the
Straight from the students: What’s the best thing about doing your PhD at EMBL?
course gives them a good idea ofproblems facing molecularbiologists. Students are guaranteedclose contact with EMBL groupleaders, giving them a chance tolearn more about their researchand expertise. And perhaps mostimportantly, the students get toknow each other during thecourses and in the many socialevents that are organised for and bythe new predocs. EMBL studentshave a wide social network in thelab, which often leads to fruitfulscientific collaborations.
“What struck me is thatpeople actually listen to whatyou have to say” – JoséAfonso Assunçao, EMBL PhDstudent from Portugal.When it comes to science andresearch, there are few molecularbiology institutes that can becompared to EMBL. The fact thatmany group leaders are alsobeginning their scientific careersand only stay at EMBL for a limitednumber of years guarantees a
young, dynamic and informalenvironment. This open andcollegial atmosphere encouragesstudents to share their opinionsand ideas. They feel that what theysay really matters.
Students are given guidance andsupervision by group leaders, butare encouraged to lookindependently for expertise andcollaborative projects in their areaof research. Students areencouraged to take their projects inthe direction that interests themmost.
“Great science done by great scientists. And it’s easyto find people to discuss your next experiment over acup of coffee” – JosephFoster, EMBL PhD studentfrom the UK.EMBL gives students exposure tothe most exciting research inmolecular biology. With experts inthe fields of bioinformatics, geneexpression, cell biology and
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Straight from the students: What’sthe best thing about doing your PhDat EMBL?
biophysics, developmental biology,structural and computationalbiology and mouse biology,students have a wealth ofknowledge from which to draw.Because the institution has atraining mentality, EMBL scientistsare easily reachable to discussscientific projects, hear about astudent’s work or developcollaborative projects.Doors are always open, questionswelcome and help available whenyou need it. The relaxedatmosphere in the lab enables easycommunication with scientists andprovides many opportunities tomake connections and establishcollaborations.
“Organising the PhDsymposium broadened myknowledge and offeredinspiration” – Alex De Marco,EMBL PhD student from Italy.PhD students are also given a veryunique opportunity – toindependently organise their ownconference.
The EMBL International PhDSymposium is organised bystudents from beginning to end.They decide the topic, select andinvite the speakers, and securefunding. Previous symposia havedealt with a variety ofinterdisciplinary themes, such as‘From Genes to Thoughts’,‘Evolution’ and ‘Design of Life:Learning from Nature’. Every year,this event brings together hundredsof students and the feedback fromthe participants and the speakershas been very enthusiastic.
“Life at EMBL stretches farbeyond the laboratory bench”– Orit Hermesh, EMBL PhDstudent from Israel.EMBL’s Staff Associationgenerously supports differentactivities outside the lab. The musicclub organises concerts for EMBLscientists who enjoy playing orsinging to share their music withothers. The movie club showsrecent films each week, and thevarious sports clubs, including
diving, climbing and waterskiing,offer special rates and even trips toexotic locations. Throughout theyear, parties bring all thedepartments together to enjoy themix of cultures at EMBL. InJanuary, the Scots throw atraditional ‘Burns’ night’, theGermans celebrate ‘Oktoberfest’ inthe autumn and the Greekcommunity has been known tobring all nationalities together forgreat food and traditional dancing.
“All the EMBL sites offersuperb scenery and access togreat European cities” –Romain Gibeaux, EMBL PhDstudent from France.Whether it be skiing on the localhills in Grenoble, enjoying theclassic student town of Cambridge,biking through the forest inHeidelberg, strolling along thefamous Hamburg harbour, ortouring around Rome, students getto know and enjoy the beautifulEuropean locations of EMBL.
10
Straight from the students: What’sthe best thing about doing your PhDat EMBL?
biophysics, developmental biology,structural and computationalbiology and mouse biology,students have a wealth ofknowledge from which to draw.Because the institution has atraining mentality, EMBL scientistsare easily reachable to discussscientific projects, hear about astudent’s work or developcollaborative projects.Doors are always open, questionswelcome and help available whenyou need it. The relaxedatmosphere in the lab enables easycommunication with scientists andprovides many opportunities tomake connections and establishcollaborations.
“Organising the PhDsymposium broadened myknowledge and offeredinspiration” – Alex De Marco,EMBL PhD student from Italy.PhD students are also given a veryunique opportunity – toindependently organise their ownconference.
The EMBL International PhDSymposium is organised bystudents from beginning to end.They decide the topic, select andinvite the speakers, and securefunding. Previous symposia havedealt with a variety ofinterdisciplinary themes, such as‘From Genes to Thoughts’,‘Evolution’ and ‘Design of Life:Learning from Nature’. Every year,this event brings together hundredsof students and the feedback fromthe participants and the speakershas been very enthusiastic.
“Life at EMBL stretches farbeyond the laboratory bench”– Orit Hermesh, EMBL PhDstudent from Israel.EMBL’s Staff Associationgenerously supports differentactivities outside the lab. The musicclub organises concerts for EMBLscientists who enjoy playing orsinging to share their music withothers. The movie club showsrecent films each week, and thevarious sports clubs, including
diving, climbing and waterskiing,offer special rates and even trips toexotic locations. Throughout theyear, parties bring all thedepartments together to enjoy themix of cultures at EMBL. InJanuary, the Scots throw atraditional ‘Burns’ night’, theGermans celebrate ‘Oktoberfest’ inthe autumn and the Greekcommunity has been known tobring all nationalities together forgreat food and traditional dancing.
“All the EMBL sites offersuperb scenery and access togreat European cities” –Romain Gibeaux, EMBL PhDstudent from France.Whether it be skiing on the localhills in Grenoble, enjoying theclassic student town of Cambridge,biking through the forest inHeidelberg, strolling along thefamous Hamburg harbour, ortouring around Rome, students getto know and enjoy the beautifulEuropean locations of EMBL.
10
A fusion of physics and biologyfor a developmental blueprint
Opening doors to a career in science
Marina Ramirez-Alvarado
Nationality: MexicanMarina was the first student representative at EMBL andgraduated in 1998. She is now an Assistant Professor atthe Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
“Doing my PhD at EMBL opened every door for my career.”
Now an Assistant Professor at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota,Marina is studying diseases associated with misfolded proteins.Her interest in protein structure began at EMBL. She was drawnto the lab by its world-class facilities, interdisciplinaryenvironment and international staff.
“EMBL trained me to exercise my creativity and to believe inwhat I do. It gave me the confidence to set my goals high andthe knowledge to reach those goals.”
Marina’s PhD work at EMBL involved the design andcharacterisation of different peptides using a variety ofspectroscopy. The work of Marina and her colleagues was animportant first step towards understanding the beta-sheetstructure of proteins, which plays a key role in Alzheimer’s andother diseases. After finishing her PhD, Marina went to YaleUniversity to do postdoctoral research – to study how infectiousproteins form very stable beta-sheet structures called amyloid.At the Mayo Clinic, she is studying the molecular mechanismsunderlying a rare amyloid disease called light chainamyloidosis.
In addition to her work at the lab bench, Marina enjoysteaching courses in molecular biology to graduate students atthe Mayo Clinic.
EMBL Graduates
Philipp Keller
Nationality: GermanPhilipp graduated from EMBL in 2009 and is now a fellowat Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia FarmResearch Campus.
“It’s much more important to think about what youreally enjoy doing, rather than making a decisionbased on what you might or might not achieve.”
Philipp started out as a physicist, but found himself becominginterested in a fusion of biology and physics after gettinginvolved in practicals at Heidelberg’s Max Planck Institute forMedical Research. “When I was deciding where to do my PhD,someone suggested that I check out what the groups at EMBLwere doing. I looked at the website and was really interested inEMBL’s multidisciplinary projects – I found they were exactlythe kind of topics I wanted to pursue.”
During his PhD, Philipp achieved a groundbreaking result – thefirst complete developmental ‘blueprint’ of a vertebrate – withhis reconstruction of zebrafish embryonic development using aDigital Scanned Laser Light Sheet Microscope. The resultingvideo gained huge interest from the media and was named oneof the top ten ‘breakthroughs of 2008’ by Science. “Thetechnology we developed at EMBL was the key to producing thedata needed to achieve this,” he says. “But from a scientific pointof view, all my projects were just as invaluable in helping medevelop my skills.”
Philipp was impressed by the possibilities offered at EMBL. “Ipursued several projects during my PhD, which allowed me toexplore entirely different areas of biology and find out for myselfwhat I might want to continue with in the future,” he says. “Theamazing thing about EMBL is that you can just go to a lab nextdoor or down the hall and start a collaboration in whatever areainterests you. It’s also great to come to EMBL at the beginning ofyour career and to be exposed early on to all the different topics,and to be involved in research at the cutting edge of science.”
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EMBL Research Units
EMBL science covers a widespectrum of themes in basicresearch. The focus ranges from the study of sequences andstructures of single molecules totheir functions in cell structuresand behaviour and their influenceon the development and lives oforganisms. Increasingly, manyresearch groups are combining their multidisciplinary skills in asystems biology approach.
Research is organised into units atthe five EMBL sites. Technical andsupport groups interact heavilywith and participate in the work of
the researchers. For example,EMBL’s pioneering role in the fieldof bioinformatics has led to afruitful integration ofcomputational scientists with thosethat work at the bench. And thestaff of the core facilities developnew methods as they help userslearn to use advanced instrumentsand techniques.
Recent years have seen a dramaticincrease in interdisciplinaritywithin molecular biology:researchers looking at embryonicdevelopment are rapidly learningabout the biochemical and cellular
functions of key genes; data fromphysical measurements lead tomathematical simulations that cansuggest experiments in cells andorganisms; gene expression studiesare allowing scientists to create newhypotheses about ‘missing links’ inevolution. EMBL has createdscientific ‘centres’ to furtherencourage such cross-disciplinarywork.
The following summarises theactivities of the research units atEMBL. To find out more aboutspecific research projects, visitwww.embl.de/research_general.
12
BioinformaticsEMBL-EBI, Hinxton, UK
Janet ThorntonDirector
Graham CameronAssociate Director
Cell Biology and BiophysicsEMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Jan EllenbergHead of Unit
13
The Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit concentrates onunderstanding the molecular mechanisms and physicalprinciples that give rise to cellular organisation and function,in particular membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal networksand chromosomes and the nucleus and their role in mitosisand meiosis, as well as in development. New directions arebeing explored at the interface between cell anddevelopmental biology to understand how the cellularorganisation and collective cell behaviour lead to organformation. Physicists and chemists work together withbiologists to try to elucidate the fundamental rules thatgovern dynamic cell organisation and function whiledeveloping new instruments and tools. Novel developmentsin microscopy and computer simulations are a particularstrength of the unit.
As a hub of bioinformatics in Europe, EMBL’s EuropeanBioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is a world leader in thebioinformatics revolution: it provides data resources in all themajor molecular domains and has a diverse and thrivingresearch base. It also provides training and industrialsupport. Its mission is to provide freely available data andbioinformatics services to all facets of the scientificcommunity in ways that promote scientific progress; tocontribute to the advancement of biology through basicinvestigator-driven research in bioinformatics; to provideadvanced bioinformatics training to scientists at all levels,from PhD students to independent investigators; and to helpdisseminate cutting-edge technologies to industry.
The EBI grew out of EMBL’s pioneering work in providingpublic biological databases to the research community. Itscomprehensive range of databases includes EMBL-Bank,Ensembl, ArrayExpress, UniProt, the Protein Data Bank inEurope, InterPro, IntAct and Reactome.
50 students are accepted into the programme each year
EMBL Research Units
EMBL science covers a widespectrum of themes in basicresearch. The focus ranges from the study of sequences andstructures of single molecules totheir functions in cell structuresand behaviour and their influenceon the development and lives oforganisms. Increasingly, manyresearch groups are combining their multidisciplinary skills in asystems biology approach.
Research is organised into units atthe five EMBL sites. Technical andsupport groups interact heavilywith and participate in the work of
the researchers. For example,EMBL’s pioneering role in the fieldof bioinformatics has led to afruitful integration ofcomputational scientists with thosethat work at the bench. And thestaff of the core facilities developnew methods as they help userslearn to use advanced instrumentsand techniques.
Recent years have seen a dramaticincrease in interdisciplinaritywithin molecular biology:researchers looking at embryonicdevelopment are rapidly learningabout the biochemical and cellular
functions of key genes; data fromphysical measurements lead tomathematical simulations that cansuggest experiments in cells andorganisms; gene expression studiesare allowing scientists to create newhypotheses about ‘missing links’ inevolution. EMBL has createdscientific ‘centres’ to furtherencourage such cross-disciplinarywork.
The following summarises theactivities of the research units atEMBL. To find out more aboutspecific research projects, visitwww.embl.de/research_general.
12
BioinformaticsEMBL-EBI, Hinxton, UK
Janet ThorntonDirector
Graham CameronAssociate Director
Cell Biology and BiophysicsEMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Jan EllenbergHead of Unit
13
The Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit concentrates onunderstanding the molecular mechanisms and physicalprinciples that give rise to cellular organisation and function,in particular membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal networksand chromosomes and the nucleus and their role in mitosisand meiosis, as well as in development. New directions arebeing explored at the interface between cell anddevelopmental biology to understand how the cellularorganisation and collective cell behaviour lead to organformation. Physicists and chemists work together withbiologists to try to elucidate the fundamental rules thatgovern dynamic cell organisation and function whiledeveloping new instruments and tools. Novel developmentsin microscopy and computer simulations are a particularstrength of the unit.
As a hub of bioinformatics in Europe, EMBL’s EuropeanBioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is a world leader in thebioinformatics revolution: it provides data resources in all themajor molecular domains and has a diverse and thrivingresearch base. It also provides training and industrialsupport. Its mission is to provide freely available data andbioinformatics services to all facets of the scientificcommunity in ways that promote scientific progress; tocontribute to the advancement of biology through basicinvestigator-driven research in bioinformatics; to provideadvanced bioinformatics training to scientists at all levels,from PhD students to independent investigators; and to helpdisseminate cutting-edge technologies to industry.
The EBI grew out of EMBL’s pioneering work in providingpublic biological databases to the research community. Itscomprehensive range of databases includes EMBL-Bank,Ensembl, ArrayExpress, UniProt, the Protein Data Bank inEurope, InterPro, IntAct and Reactome.
50 students are accepted into the programme each year
EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Anne EphrussiHead of Unit
Developmental Biology
Genome Biology EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Eileen Furlong Joint Head of Unit
Mouse Biology EMBL Monterotondo, Italy
Nadia RosenthalHead of EMBLMonterotondo
Developmental Biology is concerned with how the body patternsof multicellular animals are designed and constructed. The life of a multicellular animal starts from a single haploid cell, the egg,which shortly after fertilisation begins to divide to make theembryo. Groups in the Developmental Biology Unit seek tounderstand how the genetic information is used to make the many different types of cells in the embryo and organise them in a coherent body plan. Research in the unit is aimed at elucidatingthe basic principles and mechanisms underlying fundamentaldevelopmental processes: cell fate-specification and polarity, tissuemorphogenesis, organogenesis and growth control, developmentaltiming, and the evolution of developmental strategies. Usinganimal and plant model organisms, groups in the unit combinegenetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, high-throughput genomics,proteomics, and live imaging to understand how cellular andmolecular processes evolved and are coordinated in livingorganisms.
The genome encodes the genetic blueprint that coordinates all cellular processes. The Genome Biology Unit takes asystems biology approach to unravel the tightly regulated,complex processes of gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. We areparticularly interested in understanding how the genome isutilised to give rise to specific phenotypes and how geneticvariation results in phenotypic diversity and disease.
A particular strength of the unit is its ability to addressquestions at different scales, from detailed mechanistic studiesto genome-wide studies, to understand the processes leadingfrom genotype to phenotype. The synergy betweencomputational and wet-lab groups provides an interactive andcollaborative environment to yield unprecedented insightsinto how genetic information is ‘read’ and mediates phenotypethrough molecular networks.
The EMBL Mouse Biology Unit based at the Monterotondooutstation near Rome is a basic research centre of excellenceand innovation in mouse genetics and functional genomics,the premier model for mammalian development and humandiseases. New opportunities and applications of geneticmanipulation are captured through alliances with otherEMBL research units, neighbouring facilities in the EuropeanMouse Mutant Archive (EMMA) and Italian nationalresearch (IBC-CNR) groups, as well as other Europeancentres.
The unit participates in several Europe-wide initiatives toestablish an international research and information network,linking advances in genetics, phenotyping, physiology andbiomedical features.
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Lars Steinmetz Joint Head of Unit
Structural and Computational Biology
Peer BorkJoint Head of Unit
Matthias WilmannsHead of EMBLHamburg
Stephen CusackHead of EMBLGrenoble
Christoph MüllerJoint Head of Unit
Structural and computational biology research at EMBLaims to bridge the world of small biological entities(proteins, nucleic acids) to the world of larger ones(cells and organisms). The Heidelberg Structural andComputational Biology (SCB) Unit consists of twelveresearch groups using structural biology techniquesincluding X-ray crystallography, NMR (nuclear magneticresonance) and EM (electron microscopy) as well ascovering a number of bioinformatics areas such asgenome analysis, network biology and tool development.Biochemistry, chemical biology and single moleculefluorescence spectroscopy and integrative aspects ofcomputational biology complement these activities andare applied to a wide range of research areas from singlemolecules to cellular systems leading to a comprehensivedescription of biological function.
EMBL Grenoble has a very active research programme in structural biology of cellular processes (e.g. transcription, translation,RNA quality control, viral replication, innate immunity, small non-coding RNAs). Research is facilitated by the wide range of techniques(molecular biology, biochemistry, cryo-electron microscopy andtomography, high-throughput expression and crystallisation robotics,neutron scattering, NMR, X-ray crystallography and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)) available through the Partnership forStructural Biology which links the European Synchrotron RadiationFacility (ESRF), Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and local Frenchstructural biology institutes. The outstation also develops newtechnologies for high-throughput crystallisation and makessignificant contributions to the instrumentation and MX and SAXSservices at the ESRF, and is part of an international research unitfocused on virus-host cell Interactions with the city’s UniversityJoseph Fourier and the CNRS as partners.
EMBL Hamburg’s research programme is highlyattractive to biologists, chemists, physicists and engineers.Key activities on challenging projects in structural biologyare in the following areas: development of the embryonicimmune system, host/pathogen mechanisms leading totuberculosis, the architecture of muscle sarcomeres,peroxisome biogenesis and transport, mechanisms inprotein kinases and phosphatases. In addition, there areresearch projects to develop methods for automaticinterpretation of structural biology data in proteincrystallography and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS),and in synchrotron instrumentation.
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EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Anne EphrussiHead of Unit
Developmental Biology
Genome Biology EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Eileen Furlong Joint Head of Unit
Mouse Biology EMBL Monterotondo, Italy
Nadia RosenthalHead of EMBLMonterotondo
Developmental Biology is concerned with how the body patternsof multicellular animals are designed and constructed. The life of a multicellular animal starts from a single haploid cell, the egg,which shortly after fertilisation begins to divide to make theembryo. Groups in the Developmental Biology Unit seek tounderstand how the genetic information is used to make the many different types of cells in the embryo and organise them in a coherent body plan. Research in the unit is aimed at elucidatingthe basic principles and mechanisms underlying fundamentaldevelopmental processes: cell fate-specification and polarity, tissuemorphogenesis, organogenesis and growth control, developmentaltiming, and the evolution of developmental strategies. Usinganimal and plant model organisms, groups in the unit combinegenetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, high-throughput genomics,proteomics, and live imaging to understand how cellular andmolecular processes evolved and are coordinated in livingorganisms.
The genome encodes the genetic blueprint that coordinates all cellular processes. The Genome Biology Unit takes asystems biology approach to unravel the tightly regulated,complex processes of gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. We areparticularly interested in understanding how the genome isutilised to give rise to specific phenotypes and how geneticvariation results in phenotypic diversity and disease.
A particular strength of the unit is its ability to addressquestions at different scales, from detailed mechanistic studiesto genome-wide studies, to understand the processes leadingfrom genotype to phenotype. The synergy betweencomputational and wet-lab groups provides an interactive andcollaborative environment to yield unprecedented insightsinto how genetic information is ‘read’ and mediates phenotypethrough molecular networks.
The EMBL Mouse Biology Unit based at the Monterotondooutstation near Rome is a basic research centre of excellenceand innovation in mouse genetics and functional genomics,the premier model for mammalian development and humandiseases. New opportunities and applications of geneticmanipulation are captured through alliances with otherEMBL research units, neighbouring facilities in the EuropeanMouse Mutant Archive (EMMA) and Italian nationalresearch (IBC-CNR) groups, as well as other Europeancentres.
The unit participates in several Europe-wide initiatives toestablish an international research and information network,linking advances in genetics, phenotyping, physiology andbiomedical features.
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Lars Steinmetz Joint Head of Unit
Structural and Computational Biology
Peer BorkJoint Head of Unit
Matthias WilmannsHead of EMBLHamburg
Stephen CusackHead of EMBLGrenoble
Christoph MüllerJoint Head of Unit
Structural and computational biology research at EMBLaims to bridge the world of small biological entities(proteins, nucleic acids) to the world of larger ones(cells and organisms). The Heidelberg Structural andComputational Biology (SCB) Unit consists of twelveresearch groups using structural biology techniquesincluding X-ray crystallography, NMR (nuclear magneticresonance) and EM (electron microscopy) as well ascovering a number of bioinformatics areas such asgenome analysis, network biology and tool development.Biochemistry, chemical biology and single moleculefluorescence spectroscopy and integrative aspects ofcomputational biology complement these activities andare applied to a wide range of research areas from singlemolecules to cellular systems leading to a comprehensivedescription of biological function.
EMBL Grenoble has a very active research programme in structural biology of cellular processes (e.g. transcription, translation,RNA quality control, viral replication, innate immunity, small non-coding RNAs). Research is facilitated by the wide range of techniques(molecular biology, biochemistry, cryo-electron microscopy andtomography, high-throughput expression and crystallisation robotics,neutron scattering, NMR, X-ray crystallography and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)) available through the Partnership forStructural Biology which links the European Synchrotron RadiationFacility (ESRF), Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and local Frenchstructural biology institutes. The outstation also develops newtechnologies for high-throughput crystallisation and makessignificant contributions to the instrumentation and MX and SAXSservices at the ESRF, and is part of an international research unitfocused on virus-host cell Interactions with the city’s UniversityJoseph Fourier and the CNRS as partners.
EMBL Hamburg’s research programme is highlyattractive to biologists, chemists, physicists and engineers.Key activities on challenging projects in structural biologyare in the following areas: development of the embryonicimmune system, host/pathogen mechanisms leading totuberculosis, the architecture of muscle sarcomeres,peroxisome biogenesis and transport, mechanisms inprotein kinases and phosphatases. In addition, there areresearch projects to develop methods for automaticinterpretation of structural biology data in proteincrystallography and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS),and in synchrotron instrumentation.
15
EMBL sites
EMBL HeidelbergThe main Laboratory of EMBL is nestled in the forested hills above Heidelberg, Germany. About 960 staffmembers work closely in its integrated research units, and the central service facilities and administration ofEMBL are also located here. The large number of university students contribute to Heidelberg’s young anddynamic flair. The narrow, picturesque streets of the Old Town are filled with theatres, cinemas and countlessrestaurants and pubs. The famous Schloss (castle) is majestically set above the centre of the city.
EMBL HamburgThe city of Hamburg, Germany offers a wide spectrum of activities from art exhibitions, music, theatres, sportsand the ambience of a large city. You find water almost everywhere, at the historical port, the inner-city lakeAlster, the river Elbe and the nearby North and Baltic seas. The EMBL Hamburg Unit is located on campus ofthe German photon science research centre DESY, which hosts world-leading synchrotron and laser facilities:DORIS-III, PETRA-III, FLASH and X-FEL. EMBL is constructing a new integrated structural biology researchfacility, EMBL@PETRA3, which will host three beamlines for applications in structural biology, complementedby facilities for biological sample characterisation and automatic data evaluation.
EMBL GrenobleThis EMBL outstation shares a campus with the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and the European SynchrotronRadiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. Situated in the heart of the Alpine mountain range, Grenoble is the capital of the French Alps and a lively university town, with students representing one-tenth of thepopulation. Residents enjoy activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, skiing and snowboarding, rafting,kayaking, and canoeing as well as a wide variety of cultural activities in the city.
EMBL-EBI HinxtonThe European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is located on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus in Hinxton, near Cambridge (UK). The campus provides an exceptionally stimulating environment in which to conduct top-quality research, and is regularly visited by some of the greatest minds in the biomedical sciences. The EBI is housed in modern buildings in a beautiful rural setting and is only a stone’s throw from the historic university town of Cambridge, where ancient college buildings rub shoulders with peaceful meadows. As one of the world’s most important academic centres for almost 800 years, Cambridge has an unrivalled reputation for scientific achievement. Its strength in pure science has spilled over to the region’s commercial sector, which boasts one of the most matureand commercially successful biotechnology clusters in Europe.
EMBL MonterotondoThe EMBL Monterotondo campus in Italy is situated in a green park, 20 km north of central Rome. The EternalCity is an easy train ride away, and the nearby Lazio countryside features medieval hill towns, spectacularmountain terrain and lakes for hiking, biking, skiing and swimming. EMBL shares the Monterotondo campuswith Italian national research groups (IBC-CNR) and the European Mouse Mutant Archive (EMMA).
16
EMBL sites
EMBL HeidelbergThe main Laboratory of EMBL is nestled in the forested hills above Heidelberg, Germany. About 960 staffmembers work closely in its integrated research units, and the central service facilities and administration ofEMBL are also located here. The large number of university students contribute to Heidelberg’s young anddynamic flair. The narrow, picturesque streets of the Old Town are filled with theatres, cinemas and countlessrestaurants and pubs. The famous Schloss (castle) is majestically set above the centre of the city.
EMBL HamburgThe city of Hamburg, Germany offers a wide spectrum of activities from art exhibitions, music, theatres, sportsand the ambience of a large city. You find water almost everywhere, at the historical port, the inner-city lakeAlster, the river Elbe and the nearby North and Baltic seas. The EMBL Hamburg Unit is located on campus ofthe German photon science research centre DESY, which hosts world-leading synchrotron and laser facilities:DORIS-III, PETRA-III, FLASH and X-FEL. EMBL is constructing a new integrated structural biology researchfacility, EMBL@PETRA3, which will host three beamlines for applications in structural biology, complementedby facilities for biological sample characterisation and automatic data evaluation.
EMBL GrenobleThis EMBL outstation shares a campus with the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and the European SynchrotronRadiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. Situated in the heart of the Alpine mountain range, Grenoble is the capital of the French Alps and a lively university town, with students representing one-tenth of thepopulation. Residents enjoy activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, skiing and snowboarding, rafting,kayaking, and canoeing as well as a wide variety of cultural activities in the city.
EMBL-EBI HinxtonThe European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is located on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus in Hinxton, near Cambridge (UK). The campus provides an exceptionally stimulating environment in which to conduct top-quality research, and is regularly visited by some of the greatest minds in the biomedical sciences. The EBI is housed in modern buildings in a beautiful rural setting and is only a stone’s throw from the historic university town of Cambridge, where ancient college buildings rub shoulders with peaceful meadows. As one of the world’s most important academic centres for almost 800 years, Cambridge has an unrivalled reputation for scientific achievement. Its strength in pure science has spilled over to the region’s commercial sector, which boasts one of the most matureand commercially successful biotechnology clusters in Europe.
EMBL MonterotondoThe EMBL Monterotondo campus in Italy is situated in a green park, 20 km north of central Rome. The EternalCity is an easy train ride away, and the nearby Lazio countryside features medieval hill towns, spectacularmountain terrain and lakes for hiking, biking, skiing and swimming. EMBL shares the Monterotondo campuswith Italian national research groups (IBC-CNR) and the European Mouse Mutant Archive (EMMA).
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Hinxton
Heidelberg
Grenoble
Monterotondo
Hamburg
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40 different nationalities are currently represented by the student body
Associate Member StateAustralia
Israel
Antonio J. Giraldez
Nationality: SpanishAntonio graduated from EMBL in 2002 and stayed as abridging postdoc until February 2003. He’s now anassistant professor at Yale University in New Haven,Connecticut.
“I know of no other institute quite as special as EMBL,both as a place to do science and a place to have fun.”
“From the PhD interviews onwards you’re exposed to dozens ofdifferent nationalities at EMBL,” says Antonio, who studies howRNAs shape embryo development. “Arriving as a student in aforeign country – something that could be intimidating –becomes a fantastic experience, because fifty other students arein the same boat. It’s the perfect recipe for firm friendships andcamaraderie, as well as a great breeding ground for scientificcollaborations and networks.”
Antonio spent a summer internship in an EMBL lab beforeapplying to the PhD programme. “I found myself in one of thescientific centres of the world,” he says. “I got exposure toamazing science both from my colleagues and from thenumerous lectures and courses run by world leaders in theirfields.”
Antonio admires the tremendous motivation of everyone atEMBL. “After leaving, I came to realise the wisdom of those thatplayed a fundamental role in shaping the EMBL philosophy ofopen doors, communication and collaboration,” he says. “Mostimportantly, I owe some of my best friends, and even my wife,to my time at EMBL.”
Elena Seiradake
Nationality: GreekElena graduated from EMBL in 2006 and was the firstEMBL recipient of a Marie Curie E-STAR fellowship todefend her thesis. She is now a postdoc in the Divisionof Structural Biology at Oxford University’s WellcomeTrust Centre for Human Genetics.
“The things that make EMBL such a great place are the excellent scientific facilities and the open minded,dynamic and multicultural people.”
As a recipient of a Marie Curie Early-Stage Training inAdvanced Life Science Research (E-STAR) fellowship, Elena was offered opportunities to learn extra skills to complementher scientific research. One such activity was a ‘Learning Lab’for teachers, organised by EMBL’s dedicated education facility,the European Learning Laboratory for the Life Sciences (ELLS).
“The teachers were very eager to learn about our work, and thisreally increased my regard for our own research,” says Elena.The experience of communicating science to non-researcherswas so positive that she became involved in other such events,including Grenoble’s Science Teaching Festival.
When not communicating science, she found her work at thebench very rewarding too. “Besides giving me an excitingproject, my supervisor found the perfect balance between givingadvice and allowing freedom in the lab,” she says. “The freedommotivated me by making me feel responsible for my project, butwhenever I got stuck I could always ask him for help.”
The EMBL philosophy:open doors and collaboration
A chance to inspire scienceteaching in schools
8 weeks are spent in Heidelberg duringthe Core Course in Molecular Biology
EMBL Graduates
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Both, EMBL and its InternationalPhD Programme strive to con-tribute to the European academiclandscape by establishing bondswith national education systems.We are committed to meeting thehighest standards for theeducation and training of PhDstudents in the molecular lifesciences and to seeking innovativesolutions to further improvements.In its mission, the EMBLInternational PhD Programmesees itself as a strong and loyal
Our Partner Universities
BelgiumKatholieke Universiteit Leuven
CroatiaUniversity of Zagreb
DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenTechnical University of Denmark
FinlandUniversity of HelsinkiÅbo Akademi UniversityTurku University
FranceUniversité Joseph Fourier deGrenobleUniversité Louis Pasteur deStrasbourgUniversité Paris 7 – Denis DiderotUniversité Paris 6 – Pierre et MarieCurie
GermanyRuprecht-Karls-University ofHeidelbergLudwig-Maximilians University of Munich
GreeceUniversity of Crete
HungaryEötvös Loránd University
IcelandUniversity of Iceland
IrelandUniversity College Cork
ItalyUniversity of Milano
NetherlandsRadboud University Nijmegen
NorwayUniversity of BergenUniversity of Oslo
PortugalUniversidade Nova de LisboaUniversidade de Lisboa
RussiaLomonosov Moscow StateUniversity
SpainUniversidad Autónoma de Madrid
SwedenUniversity of StockholmKarolinska Institutet
SwitzerlandUniversity of Geneva
United KingdomUniversity of Dundee, Scotland
19
partner of the universities in itsMember States. Based on EMBL’sauthority to grant PhD degrees, wehave initiated a PartnershipProgramme with some of the mosthighly respected universities inEurope. An important aspect ofthis initiative is that EMBL PhDstudents can obtain joint PhDdegrees from us together with ourpartners.
Our long-term ambition is thatthese partnerships, which are
currently bilateral between EMBLand specific universities, will grow into a network for the optimalrecruitment, training and careersupport of its PhD students. We arehappy that the universities listedbelow have already become EMBL’spartner universities, and lookforward to more universitiesjoining in the future. Please seewww.embl.de/training/eipp/partner_universities/index.html for thelatest update.
EMBL International PhD Programme Partner Universities (as of January 2010):
Both, EMBL and its InternationalPhD Programme strive to con-tribute to the European academiclandscape by establishing bondswith national education systems.We are committed to meeting thehighest standards for theeducation and training of PhDstudents in the molecular lifesciences and to seeking innovativesolutions to further improvements.In its mission, the EMBLInternational PhD Programmesees itself as a strong and loyal
Our Partner Universities
BelgiumKatholieke Universiteit Leuven
CroatiaUniversity of Zagreb
DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenTechnical University of Denmark
FinlandUniversity of HelsinkiÅbo Akademi UniversityTurku University
FranceUniversité Joseph Fourier deGrenobleUniversité Louis Pasteur deStrasbourgUniversité Paris 7 – Denis DiderotUniversité Paris 6 – Pierre et MarieCurie
GermanyRuprecht-Karls-University ofHeidelbergLudwig-Maximilians University of Munich
GreeceUniversity of Crete
HungaryEötvös Loránd University
IcelandUniversity of Iceland
IrelandUniversity College Cork
ItalyUniversity of Milano
NetherlandsRadboud University Nijmegen
NorwayUniversity of BergenUniversity of Oslo
PortugalUniversidade Nova de LisboaUniversidade de Lisboa
RussiaLomonosov Moscow StateUniversity
SpainUniversidad Autónoma de Madrid
SwedenUniversity of StockholmKarolinska Institutet
SwitzerlandUniversity of Geneva
United KingdomUniversity of Dundee, Scotland
19
partner of the universities in itsMember States. Based on EMBL’sauthority to grant PhD degrees, wehave initiated a PartnershipProgramme with some of the mosthighly respected universities inEurope. An important aspect ofthis initiative is that EMBL PhDstudents can obtain joint PhDdegrees from us together with ourpartners.
Our long-term ambition is thatthese partnerships, which are
currently bilateral between EMBLand specific universities, will grow into a network for the optimalrecruitment, training and careersupport of its PhD students. We arehappy that the universities listedbelow have already become EMBL’spartner universities, and lookforward to more universitiesjoining in the future. Please seewww.embl.de/training/eipp/partner_universities/index.html for thelatest update.
EMBL International PhD Programme Partner Universities (as of January 2010):
Are only students frommember states eligible toapply? What about studentsfrom non-member states?Highly qualified students of allnationalities may apply for theEMBL International PhDProgramme (EIPP).
What type of degree will I need when I apply?PhD applicants must hold, oranticipate receiving beforeenrolment, a university degree that would formally qualify themto enter a PhD or equivalentprogramme in the country wherethe degree was initially obtained.All applications are evaluatedsolely on the basis of qualificationand scientific potential.
Can I apply for the PhDProgramme before I receivemy degree?Yes. Applications can be submittedbefore obtaining the degree,though you must be scheduled tocomplete your degree by the startof your contract at EMBL.
Do I need to choose andcontact a specific groupleader with whom I want towork before applying to theEMBL International PhDProgramme?No. It is neither necessary norrecommended to contact groupleaders individually. Studentswishing to apply for the EMBLInternational PhD Programme will find all necessary informationregarding research projects of the various units on the EMBLwebsite. On the application form,the student may choose one or twounits as well as selecting from a listof research keywords and, ifinvited, is interviewed by all groupleaders of either or both of theunits. Note that not all groupleaders accept students each year.
When do I need to submit my application form?The application deadlines and allrelevant information are publishedwell in advance on the PhDProgramme website (www.embl.de/training/eipp/index.html).Please note that the entireapplication procedure is nowonline. There are two rounds ofapplications each year.
What is the format of theinterviews?Firstly, each candidate will beinterviewed during the InitialAdmission Assessment (IAA)interview. This is a 15 minutes pass interview and is theprerequisite to be eligible to jointhe EIPP. General knowledgequestions will be asked taking the applicant’s background intoaccount. Everybody who passesthis interview is, in principle,eligible to enter the EMBLInternational PhD Programme,and will be interviewed further in one-on-one chats with groupleaders from the chosen units.
Quick guide to the programme
20
Will I receive feedback aboutmy application even if I amnot invited for an interview?The very large number ofapplications to the programmemakes it impossible for us to givespecific feedback regarding themerits of each application.However, our online applicationsystem allows us to offersomething unique even to thoseapplicants who are not invited forinterview: the Shared ApplicantPool. A question on theapplication form asks whether the applicant would like his/herapplication to be made available to other interested colleagues, incase he/she cannot be admitted to the EMBL International PhDProgramme. So, with the click of a button, our applicants are giventhe opportunity to be consideredfor PhD positions in an even largergroup of top-quality researchlaboratories. These include ourPartner Universities and otherexcellent research groups with
whom EMBL has close ties. Theeffort of making a good applicationto the EMBL International PhDProgramme can therefore bringextra benefits.
If invited for interview will EMBL cover my travelexpenses?EMBL covers reasonable travelexpenses and will reimburse thoseduring the interview week. Allclaims necessitate receipts.
If I am accepted for the EMBLInternational PhD Programme,when can I start?Successful applicants cancommence their PhD any timeafter the interviews and shouldideally start by October at the latest of any given year. Startingdates are decided upon inagreement with the respectivegroup leader.
23 is the average age of anincoming PhD student
21
Do I need to register with auniversity before I start mycontract?No. Students must register with a university during their first year in the EMBL International PhDProgramme.
Is there help with findingaccommodation?Yes. EMBL has guesthouseapartments which can be rented for the first few months after yourarrival, giving you time to findsuitable accommodation. TheEMBL housing service hasapartments from local landlords on offer as well.
How will I finance my PhDstudies?EMBL provides a competitivestipend judged by internationalstandards including broad healthcare benefits. Actual stipend ratesare published on our webpagewww.embl.de/training/eipp/index.html.
Will I receive feedback aboutmy application even if I amnot invited for an interview?The very large number ofapplications to the programmemakes it impossible for us to givespecific feedback regarding themerits of each application.However, our online applicationsystem allows us to offersomething unique even to thoseapplicants who are not invited forinterview: the Shared ApplicantPool. A question on theapplication form asks whether the applicant would like his/herapplication to be made available to other interested colleagues, incase he/she cannot be admitted to the EMBL International PhDProgramme. So, with the click of a button, our applicants are giventhe opportunity to be consideredfor PhD positions in an even largergroup of top-quality researchlaboratories. These include ourPartner Universities and otherexcellent research groups with
whom EMBL has close ties. Theeffort of making a good applicationto the EMBL International PhDProgramme can therefore bringextra benefits.
If invited for interview will EMBL cover my travelexpenses?EMBL covers reasonable travelexpenses and will reimburse thoseduring the interview week. Allclaims necessitate receipts.
If I am accepted for the EMBLInternational PhD Programme,when can I start?Successful applicants cancommence their PhD any timeafter the interviews and shouldideally start by October at the latest of any given year. Startingdates are decided upon inagreement with the respectivegroup leader.
23 is the average age of anincoming PhD student
21
Do I need to register with auniversity before I start mycontract?No. Students must register with a university during their first year in the EMBL International PhDProgramme.
Is there help with findingaccommodation?Yes. EMBL has guesthouseapartments which can be rented for the first few months after yourarrival, giving you time to findsuitable accommodation. TheEMBL housing service hasapartments from local landlords on offer as well.
How will I finance my PhDstudies?EMBL provides a competitivestipend judged by internationalstandards including broad healthcare benefits. Actual stipend ratesare published on our webpagewww.embl.de/training/eipp/index.html.
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I have my own funding. Doesthis guarantee a place in theprogramme?All applications are evaluated solelyon basis of qualification andscientific potential. All invitedcandidates must successfully passthe interview procedure in order to be eligible.
What is the predoctoralcourse and do all studentshave to take it?The predoc course is compulsoryfor all EMBL PhD students. Thiscourse, called the “Core Course in Molecular Biology,” is taught by EMBL faculty and is held at thebeginning of the first academicyear (i.e. October to December) at the main lab in Heidelberg. Thecourse covers all scientific areasrepresented at EMBL and includeslectures, practicals and studentseminars.
Who will supervise and mentorme during my studies?In addition to the day-to-daysupervision by a group leader, eachEMBL PhD student has a ThesisAdvisory Committee, consisting ofthe group leader and up to three
other advisors (typically oneadditional EMBL group leaderfrom the same unit, one from adifferent unit and a non-EMBLscientist from the student’suniversity, who guide the studentduring thesis work. After the firstsix months, students prepare awritten outline of their thesisproject and discuss it with thecommittee. At the end of the first,second and third years, studentswrite an annual report on theirwork, give a seminar, and discussthe report and seminar with theirThesis Advisory Committee.
How is the PhD thesisevaluated?This will be affected by therequirements of the university atwhich you are registered. Ingeneral, the thesis is evaluated interms of scholarly criteria by eachmember of a Thesis ExaminationCommittee. One criterion is thelikely acceptability of the thesiswork for publication ininternational peer-reviewedjournals. A decision is delivered by the Chair of the ThesisExamination Committee on thebasis of the committee members’written reports.
What type of degree will Ireceive?In December 1997, in recognitionof the high quality of itsInternational PhD Programme,EMBL was granted the right toaward its own PhD degrees. EMBLbecame the first internationalinstitution providing training inmolecular biology in Europe withthis capability. Currently, EMBLstudents obtain their degree from a national university or jointly with EMBL.
How long does it takestudents to complete their PhD?Students enrolled in the EMBLInternational PhD Programmemust complete their degrees within 3.5 to 4 years.
Quick guide to the programme
23
Contact information
For more information, please contact:
EMBL International PhD ProgrammeEMBLMeyerhofstraße 169117 HeidelbergGermany
Tel. +49 6221 387 612Fax +49 6221 387 400
PicturesCover: Course participant and Alexandra Manaia (photo by Maj Britt Hansen, EMBL);page 2: EBI campus (photo by Marietta Schupp); page 3: EMBL Heidelberg (photo byMaj Britt Hansen, EMBL-EBI, EMBL Hamburg (photos by Marietta Schupp), EMBLMonterotondo (photo by Udo Ringeisen), EMBL Grenoble (photo by ChristinePanagiotidis); page 4: Matthias Hentze, Anne Ephrussi, Lars Steinmetz and HelkeHillebrand (photo by Marietta Schupp); page 5: Iain Mattaj (photo by EMBL Photolab),ELLS LearningLAB (photo by Hugo Neves); pages 6–7: Text books (photo by Maj BrittHansen); page 8: Cleopatra Kozlowski (photo provided by Cleopatra Kozlowski),Giuseppe Testa (photo by Christine Panagiotidis); pages 9–10: Christine Panagiotidis,EMBL; page 11: Marina Ramirez-Alvarado (photo provided by Marina Ramirez-Alvarado), Philipp Keller (photo by Christine Panagiotidis); page 12: glasses (photo byUdo Ringeisen); page 13: Janet Thornton (photo by Marietta Schupp), GrahamCameron, Jan Ellenberg (photos by Maj Britt Hansen); page 14: Anne Ephrussi, EileenFurlong (photos by EMBL Photolab), Lars Steinmetz (photo by Marietta Schupp),Nadia Rosenthal; page 15: Christoph Müller, Peer Bork, Matthias Wilmanns (photos byMarietta Schupp), Stephen Cusack (photo by Christine Panagiotidis); page 16–17:European Map (graphic by Petra Riedinger); page 18: Antonio Giraldez (photoprovided by Antonio Giraldez), Elena Seiradake (photo by Aris Karastergiou); page 20:DNA Chip Slide (photo by Maj Britt Hansen); page 22: Beamline Board (photo by MajBritt Hansen)
22
I have my own funding. Doesthis guarantee a place in theprogramme?All applications are evaluated solelyon basis of qualification andscientific potential. All invitedcandidates must successfully passthe interview procedure in order to be eligible.
What is the predoctoralcourse and do all studentshave to take it?The predoc course is compulsoryfor all EMBL PhD students. Thiscourse, called the “Core Course in Molecular Biology,” is taught by EMBL faculty and is held at thebeginning of the first academicyear (i.e. October to December) at the main lab in Heidelberg. Thecourse covers all scientific areasrepresented at EMBL and includeslectures, practicals and studentseminars.
Who will supervise and mentorme during my studies?In addition to the day-to-daysupervision by a group leader, eachEMBL PhD student has a ThesisAdvisory Committee, consisting ofthe group leader and up to three
other advisors (typically oneadditional EMBL group leaderfrom the same unit, one from adifferent unit and a non-EMBLscientist from the student’suniversity, who guide the studentduring thesis work. After the firstsix months, students prepare awritten outline of their thesisproject and discuss it with thecommittee. At the end of the first,second and third years, studentswrite an annual report on theirwork, give a seminar, and discussthe report and seminar with theirThesis Advisory Committee.
How is the PhD thesisevaluated?This will be affected by therequirements of the university atwhich you are registered. Ingeneral, the thesis is evaluated interms of scholarly criteria by eachmember of a Thesis ExaminationCommittee. One criterion is thelikely acceptability of the thesiswork for publication ininternational peer-reviewedjournals. A decision is delivered by the Chair of the ThesisExamination Committee on thebasis of the committee members’written reports.
What type of degree will Ireceive?In December 1997, in recognitionof the high quality of itsInternational PhD Programme,EMBL was granted the right toaward its own PhD degrees. EMBLbecame the first internationalinstitution providing training inmolecular biology in Europe withthis capability. Currently, EMBLstudents obtain their degree from a national university or jointly with EMBL.
How long does it takestudents to complete their PhD?Students enrolled in the EMBLInternational PhD Programmemust complete their degrees within 3.5 to 4 years.
Quick guide to the programme
23
Contact information
For more information, please contact:
EMBL International PhD ProgrammeEMBLMeyerhofstraße 169117 HeidelbergGermany
Tel. +49 6221 387 612Fax +49 6221 387 400
PicturesCover: Course participant and Alexandra Manaia (photo by Maj Britt Hansen, EMBL);page 2: EBI campus (photo by Marietta Schupp); page 3: EMBL Heidelberg (photo byMaj Britt Hansen, EMBL-EBI, EMBL Hamburg (photos by Marietta Schupp), EMBLMonterotondo (photo by Udo Ringeisen), EMBL Grenoble (photo by ChristinePanagiotidis); page 4: Matthias Hentze, Anne Ephrussi, Lars Steinmetz and HelkeHillebrand (photo by Marietta Schupp); page 5: Iain Mattaj (photo by EMBL Photolab),ELLS LearningLAB (photo by Hugo Neves); pages 6–7: Text books (photo by Maj BrittHansen); page 8: Cleopatra Kozlowski (photo provided by Cleopatra Kozlowski),Giuseppe Testa (photo by Christine Panagiotidis); pages 9–10: Christine Panagiotidis,EMBL; page 11: Marina Ramirez-Alvarado (photo provided by Marina Ramirez-Alvarado), Philipp Keller (photo by Christine Panagiotidis); page 12: glasses (photo byUdo Ringeisen); page 13: Janet Thornton (photo by Marietta Schupp), GrahamCameron, Jan Ellenberg (photos by Maj Britt Hansen); page 14: Anne Ephrussi, EileenFurlong (photos by EMBL Photolab), Lars Steinmetz (photo by Marietta Schupp),Nadia Rosenthal; page 15: Christoph Müller, Peer Bork, Matthias Wilmanns (photos byMarietta Schupp), Stephen Cusack (photo by Christine Panagiotidis); page 16–17:European Map (graphic by Petra Riedinger); page 18: Antonio Giraldez (photoprovided by Antonio Giraldez), Elena Seiradake (photo by Aris Karastergiou); page 20:DNA Chip Slide (photo by Maj Britt Hansen); page 22: Beamline Board (photo by MajBritt Hansen)
EMBL member states areAustria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerlandand the United Kingdom. Associate memberstate: Australia ©
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