|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
Introduction |
|
|
|
 |
| Prof. Iain Mattaj, Director General |
|
EMBL is an international laboratory supported by 20 member states and one associate member and dedicated, according to its founding agreement, to promoting "cooperation among European States in fundamental research [...] and in advanced teaching in molecular biology". This coupling of research and advanced teaching is not accidental. The central contributions that the Laboratory has made to the development of molecular biology in Europe since the mid 1970's include pioneering new fields of research and simultaneously nurturing our future scientific leaders: young laboratory heads, postdoctoral fellows and [since 1983] graduate students studying for their PhD. The open scientific interactions and collaborations throughout this talented youthful community have created an intense scientific life at EMBL, a spirit of dedication to creativity and excellence, to the benefit of both the research and the training activities.
The EMBL International PhD Programme has grown significantly
in size and importance since 1993, endowed with
well thought-out procedures that assure outstanding
quality, close mentoring and an integrated experience
in advanced learning and leading-edge research.
The programme is directed by Dr. Helke Hillebrandt,
Dean of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Lars Steinmetz, Academic Mentor EIPP, respectively. Students
are selected by a committee representing all of
EMBL's research units after thorough interviews,
from amongst highly qualified applicants from all
the member states. External fellowships fund a smaller
number of non-memberstate nationals.
The PhD students
spend up to four years with us, either at the main
Laboratory in Heidelberg or at our other Units [Grenoble,
Hamburg, Hinxton and Monterotondo]. All first-year
students attend the lecture and laboratory courses
given in Heidelberg from October to December, with
teaching participation of all the Units. Thus, the
students from all five EMBL sites spend these months
together, participating in an intensive learning
experience and forming long-lasting friendships
that will facilitate their work at EMBL and beyond.
Their Thesis Advisory Committee includes faculty
members from two EMBL units and an external advisor.
The quality of the Programme, the people, the science,
the facilities, the international environment and
the collaborative spirit at EMBL are remarkable.
In recognition of this, the Member States have given
EMBL the authority to award the PhD, alone or jointly
with Universities in the member states, while also
maintaining the third option of students receiving
their degrees solely from the national universities
at which they are registered.
The Statutes of the
EMBL International PhD Programme were promulgated
officially in 1998. Joint degree arrangements are
now in place with 29 universities in 19 countries.
As we enter our fourth decade, we are dedicated to
further enhancing this crown jewel of the EMBL system,
and to making studying here an unforgettable experience. |
|
|
|
|
