IHRS BioSoft: Biophysics and Soft Matter

The International Helmholtz Research School of Biophysics and Soft Matter (IHRS BioSoft) provides PhD positions in biology, chemistry, and physics. In addition to the research project in one of our 13 groups, fellows benefit from the broad scientific curriculum and experience the working atmosphere in a large research center.

The IHRS BioSoft offers three-year PhD positions for students that are interested in new research areas at the interfaces between the traditional disciplines. We currently host students from eight countries that are based in one of the thirteen participating groups in Jülich, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Bonn.

The ultimate goal of the IHRS BioSoft is to advance integration and exchange between physics, chemistry, and biology in both research and education. The school provides a curriculum that complements the work on the individual PhD project, which might still be mainly conducted within one of the traditional disciplines. The fellow students receive an interdiciplinary training that consists of lab courses, seminars, and lectures. Furthermore, besides the principal supervisor, a PhD commitee of three scientists from different groups advises each fellow and points out interdisciplinary aspects of the thesis project. Joint seminars together with students from other Helmholtz centers as well as travel support for the participation in workshops and conferences provide opportunities to create a professional network that fits the individual needs. An accompanying transferable skills program by Imperial College London covers topics such as efficient group work, scientific presentation and writing, and leadership abilities.

IHRS-BioSoft groups organize international conferences and schools, such as the yearly conference "Jülich Soft Matter Days/International Soft Matter Conference" or the IFF spring school, in 2011 with the topic "Macromolecular Systems in Soft and Living Matter". Furthermore, our groups actively participate in national and international research networks, e. g. the SoftComp EU Network of Excellence.


Fellows will be based at one of our partner institutions:

• Forschungszentrum Jülich
• Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Universität zu Köln
• caesar Bonn

All fellows receive financial support for their PhD projects that covers the living expenses and is comparable with the salaries for other PhD positions in Germany. The IHRS BioSoft is located at Forschungszentrum Jülich, a large multidisciplinary research center with more than 4,000 employees and 350 PhD students. Fellows based in Jülich are also associated with one of the surrounding universities, from which they will receive their PhD degree: e. g. Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universität zu Köln, RWTH Aachen, or Universität Bonn.

The area Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf offers a variety of cultural activities and is well connected with other european areas via the airports of Düsseldorf, Cologne-Bonn, and Maastricht-Aachen as well as by frequent train connections.