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Why study marine microbiology?

Marine microorganisms are essential to the maintenance of our biosphere, yet we have only fragmentary understanding of the diversity and function of the microbial life in our oceans.

The study of marine microbiology involves research on fundamental issues such as the evolution of life, the functioning of marine food webs, global climate change, element cycling, and the biodiversity of the ocean.

The MarMic concept is unique: we are educating a new generation of marine scientists, and providing them with the tools to better understand microbial life and the manner in which it affects our biosphere.

What is MarMic?

The International Max Planck Research School of Marine Microbiology (IMPRS marmic) is an MSc / PhD graduate program for highly qualifed and motivated national and international students. marmic is a joint program of

•     Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
•     University of Bremen
•     Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
•     Jacobs University Bremen

MarMic teaches students to take an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of marine prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiology, offering training in oceanography, physiology, ecology, evolution, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and other related subjects.

MarMic students are trained to think globally. The breadth of theoretical and practical experience enables them to address questions ranging from biogeochemistry to genomic analysis. These abilities make marmic students attractive for international research teams in science and industry.

MarMic - a combined MSc / PhD program

MarMic offers an MSc / PhD program with the first year consisting of theoretical and practical training with lectures, course work, laboratory rotations, and seminars. After the first training year, students continue to work on a research based thesis leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree after 6 months.

The majority of MarMic students then enters the PhD program and graduates with a doctoral thesis within 3 years. PhD students participate in seminars, methods courses, soft skills trainings, international conferences, summer schools, and a yearly retreat. The school language is English.

Are you interested?

For further information about the MarMic program and our online application procedure please visit: www.marmic.mpg.de

Key facts about the IMPRS MarMic

Application deadline: February 28

MSc Program:

Starting date: October 1
Duration: 1.5 years
Accreditation: 120 ECTS                 

PhD Program:

Starting date: spring - autumn
Duration: 3 years
International students >50%

The City of Bremen

Bremen is a lively and international city in the northwest of Germany. Despite its metropolitan nature, Bremen also is a green city with parks, water ways and a beautiful countryside. The public transportation system is excellent and there is a dense network of bicycle paths. The railway station and airport offer many national and international connections, making the city just a short stop away from the rest of Europe and the world.