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International Max Planck Research School "Chemical Communication in Ecological Systems"

The 2025 Call for PhD positions will go online on March 12. Please apply here.

We are an International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) that is jointly organized by the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (MPI-CE) and the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena (FSU). The main focus of our school is the use of molecular, analytical and neurobiological techniques to explore chemical communication in nature. We study communication between plants, animals, microbes and their environment, as well as its ecology and evolution.

Admission to the school is possible either through the annual recruitment or a written application to the school committee. Each year, up to five IMPRS doctoral positions are awarded following a competitive, worldwide call for applications. Doctoral researchers participate in a 3-year structured program that includes lectures, practical courses, outreach activities, and an annual symposium. All courses are held in English. The doctoral degree is granted by the Friedrich Schiller University.

 

Upcoming IMPRS events

Katyaryna Lazitskaya

German Course B1.2
Sep 16, 2026 04:30 PM c.t. (Local Time Germany) - Dec 2, 2026 06:00 PM
MPI-CE; B2.021

Katyaryna Lazitskaya

German Course A2.2
Sep 17, 2026 04:30 PM c.t. (Local Time Germany) - Dec 3, 2026 06:00 PM
MPI-CE; B2.021

Dr. Markus Knaden

Navigating a harsh environment: how ants make use of chemical and visual cues
Sep 21, 2026 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI-CE, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Marten Winter

How to improve your scientific presentations - CANCELLED, will be offered at a later date
Sep 25, 2026 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Priya Reddy

Camera & Canvas - The Science Video & Communication Workshop
Oct 8, 2026 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI-CE, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Yvonne Brockhaus

Jobhunting beyond academia – Getting your new job easier, faster and better-paid thanks to social media
Oct 15, 2026 - Oct 16, 2026
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Andrew Davis

Experimental design
Oct 19, 2026 09:00 AM (Local Time Germany) - Oct 20, 2026 04:00 PM
MPI-CE, Room: A1.009

Sarah O'Connor

TBA
Oct 26, 2026 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI-CE, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Franziska Beran

TBA
Nov 2, 2026 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI-CE, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011

Yuko Ulrich

TBA
Dec 7, 2026 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
MPI-CE, Room: Seminar room A1.009 and A1.011
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