PhD Program "Infection Biology"

Center for Infection Biology

Infections by pathogens cause approximately one third of all human fatalities worldwide.  An ongoing emergence of new pathogens such as HIV, SARS and the avian influenza strain H5N1, and the recurrence of diseases previously believed to be extinct such as tuberculosis and diphtheria meet an alarming scenario of declining rates in vaccinations as well as an increasing resistance of germs to antibiotics.  Despite considerable advances in medicine, this situation calls for extensive research and new approaches to the prevention and therapy of infectious diseases.

In order to address this need, the Center for Infection Biology (ZIB) was founded in September 2002 as a joint co-operation between well renowned research institutions: Hannover Medical School, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, the University of Hannover and the German Research Centre for Biotechnology (GBF) in Braunschweig.

The Center's objective is to extend the existing research and teaching protential of the affiliated institutes and participating disciplines within the field of infection biology and to systematically exploit the resulting synergies to provide a platform for qualified research projects and concomitant scientific education.  In addition to the clinical aspects of infectious diseases, members of the ZIB address basic questions relevant to infection biology.

PhD Program Infection Biology 

Starting Fall 2003, ZIB launched the international PhD Program Infection Biology. The 3-year program, with English as the teaching language, plays a pivotal role in the training of young scientists in the field of infection biology. The program's objective is to investigate the complex interactions between host and pathogen as well as basic research with the combined tools of immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.  20 students from across the world are accepted each year after a rigorous selection procedure.  The study program is supported by the Wilhelm-Hirte Foundation, by scholarships provided by Hannover Medical School and through Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg scholarships and administrative positions by the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony.

Since Fall 2004 the European Union participates in sponsoring PhD students via the elite program "Miditrain" which is funded by the EU "Marie Curie Actions" program.

60 students enrolled in the PhD Program work on a three-year research project and attend seminars, congresses, as well as lab courses.  Students are encouraged and supported by a network of supervisors and support teams and finish the program after the PhD examination at the end of the third year as highly qualified scientists.

Please find all further details on the program as well the application form and important information on the application process by clicking here