Program of the IMPRS-TP

The main goal of the IMPRS-TP is to provide interdisciplinary training in molecular, cellular and systemic psychiatric research to outstanding students in an environment of scientific excellence and collaboration.

During the course of their studies, students are exposed to a wide range of scientific questions and methods covering areas of molecular medicine, natural sciences (mainly neuroscience), psychiatry, neuroimaging, design-based stereology and clinical studies. Interdisciplinary training is combined with specialized training in the supervisor’s laboratory, thereby providing both a broad and in-depth training. This scientific training is complemented by training in transferable skills to prepare doctoral students for challenges of a professional career in academia, industry or medicine.

The IMPRS-TP program promotes and encourages cross-disciplinary and cross- institutional interactions in a translational research setting, which is reflected in the research topics and curriculum and necessary in order to foster cutting-edge research into complex disorders like mental illnesses.

PhD students will participate in clinical studies, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of symptoms, diagnostics and the impact of psychiatric disorders and their neurobiological background: an essential step towards the comprehension of translating basic neuroscience into clinical practice.

In addition to theoretical courses, the IMPRS‑TP program puts a major emphasis on practical courses and workshops. This allows students to gain knowledge and experience in areas of research they might use, but also the opportunity to collect data provided by collaborators – i.e. in genetic imaging studies. The IMPRS‑TP offers the possibility to receive hands-on experience from the Max Planck Institutes and Ludwig-Maximilians-University.