3-year PhD graduate program - ImmunoSensation: Bonn Cluster of Excellence - Germany

The Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation is highly competitive research center, which is located in Bonn/ Germany, and which is funded by the National Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG). ImmunoSensation is an interdisciplinary research center of the University of Bonn (Medical Faculty and Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), the Max-Planck-associated Institute caesar (center of advanced european studies and research) and the DZNE (Helmholtz Society: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases).

ImmunoSensation is well-recognized as national center for innate immunity. Its scientific focus is beyond classical immunology. The concept is a comprehensive view of the immune system as sensory system. Immune sensing receptors in both immune cells and non-immune cells represent the core of this immune sensory system with its close connections to the nervous system and the metabolic system. The research in the ImmunoSensation cluster has established five research areas: A) immune sensing receptors and modulators, B) local context sensing, C) metabolic sensing and nervous-immune system interactions, D) integration of immune sensory input and its functional and genomic consequences, and E) consequences of immune sensing for sterile inflammation in vivo. For further information about the ImmunoSensation Cluster and the affiliated research groups, please visit the homepage at http://www.immunosensation.de/

The ImmunoSensation Cluster's graduate program, the International Immunology Training Program Bonn (IITB) offers doctoral studentships for its structured 3-year PhD program in highly competitive research groups of the Excellence Cluster. In addition, students will be enrolled in a structured course of study including:

• seminar series
• meet-the-expert events
• scientific method courses
• scientific soft skills training
• participation in international conferences
• short-term fellowships
• Winter School on Innate Immunity and other retreats
• a mentoring program
• visits of biotech companies
• career counseling

The IITB seeks to employ highly motivated, outstanding, research-oriented students with a strong background in life and medical sciences. The line-up of participating institutions provides excellent conditions in the area of biological and medical sciences and state-of-the-art research facilities.

Application is open to international students from all countries holding a Master's or equivalent degree. All communication and courses are conducted in English. Appropriate English language skills are required. For detailed information about the application process and the graduate program, please visit the IITB homepage.

Deadline for applications is May 31, 2014.

Interviews will be conducted in September 2014, and selected applicants will start from November 2014.

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages people with physical disabilities to apply. Furthermore, the ImmunoSensation Cluster aims to increase the quota of women in science, and also encourages female scientists to apply for the IITB program.