The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity is based at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, and the University of Leipzig (Germany). The IMPRS also involves the MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, and the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, UK.

The IMPRS offers a unique interdisciplinary graduate programme to study the functional, structural, and plastic bases of human communication. Its overriding goal is to train Ph.D. students in multidisciplinary aspects involved in communicative action. Besides behavioural work, the programme draws on elaborate modern imaging techniques including a 7-Tesla MRI scanner and a 306-channel MEG system.

Successful candidates will be accepted into one of the following four modules of the school:

1. Verbal Communication: Language
2. Non-verbal Communication: Action and Interaction
3. Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical
4. Methods: Modern neuroimaging techniques, biophysics, and signal processing.

Requirement for successful candidates is a Master’s (or qualified equivalent) degree in disciplines like computer science, linguistics, neurobiology, neurology, physics, psychiatry, psychology, or related fields. Candidates near to completion may also submit applications, indicating the date of completion. Depending on qualification and background, we may consider applicants with a Bachelor’s degree.

Further requirements include outstanding academic performance; excellent oral and written English language skills; aptitude for original, independent, and creative work; performed research and published, or submitted for publication, results (desirable).

The application must be supported by a degree and school certificate, academic transcripts, a CV, three names and email addresses of academic referees, and a personal statement explaining the candidate’s motivation and reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. at the IMPRS. Applications should indicate the preferred module into which the candidate wishes to be accepted, and specify the preferred supervisor.

All admitted students receive financial aid in the form of a scholarship for the duration of three years. The language of the IMPRS is English. Visit www.leipzig.de for information on living in Leipzig, Germany, in the heart of Europe.

We seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are under-represented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. We are committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourage them to apply.

For further information and application details, go to our website (listed above), or contact Dr Antje Holländer, Co-ordinator of the IMPRS (see contact information below)

Applications are to be submitted in electronic format only until the deadline.

We will start assessing applications as of mid-February 2009. The graduate programme will start with the Summer Semester 2009 at the University of Leipzig (1 April 2009).

Application Deadline: 31-Mar-2009

Mailing Address for Applications:
Attn: Dr Antje Hollander
Stephanstrasse 1a
Leipzig 04103
Germany

Contact Information:
Dr Antje Hollander
imprs@cbs.mpg.de
Phone:+49 341 9940 2261

Web Address:

http://imprs-neurocom.mpg.de