International Doctoral Programs 2012 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
2 Contents 5 6 6 7 8 9 11 15 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 45 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 Welcome Structured Doctoral Education at Humboldt-Universität Doctoral Programs at Humboldt-Universität Humboldt Graduate School DFG Research Training Groups Current Doctoral Programs at Humboldt-Universität Listing Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Profile, Facts and Figures Life Sciences Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT) Berlin School of Mind and Brain Cellular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory Consolidation in the Hippocampal Formation Computational Systems Biology Computational Neuroscience and Sensory Computation in Neural Systems Functional Molecular Infection Epidemiology Genetic and Immunologic Determinations of Pathogen-Host Interactions (ZIBI) Hormonal Regulation of Energy Metabolism, Body Weight and Growth Induction and Modulation of T-cell-Mediated Immune Responses in the Gastrointestinal Tract (IMMUCO) International Graduate Program Medical Neuroscience International Max Planck Research School for Infectious Diseases and Immunology Molecular Cell Biology Multimorbidity in Old Age Translational Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine (TransCard) Natural Sciences and Mathematics Berlin International Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Engineering (BIG-NSE) Berlin Mathematical School Complex Surface in Material Science Fluorine as a Key Element Leibniz Graduate School of Molecular Biophysics Mass, Spectrum, Symmetry: Particle Physics in the Era of the Large Hadron Collider Methods for Discrete Structures (MDS) Model-Based Development of Technologies of Self-Organizing Information Systems in Application for Disasters Management (METRIK) Multivalency in Chemistry and Biochemistry Prospective Design of Human-Technology-Interaction (Prometei) Self-Assembled Soft Matter Nano-Structures at Interfaces (SSNI) Service-oriented Architectures for the Integration of Software-based Processes, exemplified by Health Care Systems and Medical Technology (SOAMED)
3 71 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 115 Social Sciences and Humanities Agricultural Economics Doctoral Certificate Program Berlin Doctoral Program Economics and Management Science (BDPEMS) Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS) Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences (BGSS) Between Spaces. Movements, Actors and Representations of Globalization European Ph.D. in Socio-Economic and Statistical Studies (Sess.EuroPhD) Gender as a Category of Knowledge Graduate School of Ancient Philosophy Herrschaft im 20. Jahrhundert. Gesellschaftsgeschichtliche Perspektiven Humboldt Graduate School of Business International Max-Planck Research School on Life Course (LIFE) Interdependencies in the Regulation of Markets Kollegium Jüdische Studien (KJS) Multilevel Constitutionalism: European Experiences and Global Perspectives Ph.D.- Net Das Wissen der Literatur Representations of Changing Social Orders Thinking Differences: History as Object and as Representation Resource Politics and Gender Justice in the Context of Globalization Transformations of Antiquity Transnational Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention - An International and African Perspective Information and Contacts for Young International Researchers
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Welcome 5 Welcome to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin! With this brochure, we would like to introduce you to the wealth of services and opportunities we offer for doctoral students. Whatever your interests are, we are convinced that you will find a highprofile graduate program that suits your interests and abilities perfectly. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is internationally and nationally known for the quality of its academic training and research and offers many excellent academic programs, in the arts and sciences, mathematics, economics, and medicine with professors and students representing more than 130 countries. Promoting structured doctoral education is a core objective of our university s strategy. The Humboldt Graduate School, as the umbrella organization for all programs and all doctoral candidates, offers many opportunities to meet and network, for instance at its recently opened building at Luisenstraße 56. As a doctoral student at Humboldt-Universität, you have access to academic resources and a large scientific community throughout the city. Three universities and a substantial number of non-university research institutions constitute a unique setting that will inspire your own research. This booklet is designed to give you a comprehensive overview of the many possibilities we offer to support your studies in one of our structured doctoral programs. For additional or more detailed questions regarding our specific programs, application procedures, or program deadlines, please contact the program coordinator listed in this brochure or the Humboldt Graduate School directly. We hope to welcome you as a doctoral student at Humboldt-Universität in the near future and we emphatically invite you to join the vibrant and welcoming intellectual community at our university and in the inspiring city of Berlin. Prof. Dr. Peter A. Frensch, Vice President for Research, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 2011
6 Structured Doctoral Education at Humboldt-Universität Germany s universities are renowned worldwide for their strong research tradition. And it was here in Berlin where Wilhelm von Humboldt developed his concept of a universitas litterarum 200 years ago, bringing together teaching and research to provide students with a well-rounded humanist education. The concept has spread around the world and earned our university the title mother of all modern research universities. With this background, the German doctoral degree is internationally acknowledged as an important piece of independent research, the promising first step of an academic career. For centuries, the quality of Ph.D. work was based upon an individualized system of a close one-to-one professor-student relationship during the doctoral studies. This traditional system is still in place at many German universities, especially in the humanities. However, as the need for interdisciplinary research has grown, structured doctoral programs have been introduced, providing doctoral students with focused academic training, improved supervision and an interdisciplinary context. Today, doctoral programs represent about twenty percent of all doctorates and this share is rising. Humboldt-Universität is known for its strong tradition of fostering junior researchers at both the postdoctoral and the doctoral stage. Approximately 1100 young scholars obtain their doctoral degree with us each year, among them 20% in the humanities and social sciences, 25% in the natural sciences and 55% in medicine. Doctoral Programs at Humboldt-Universität Humboldt-Universität has taken the opportunity to introduce structured doctoral education at a very early stage. When the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) introduced its Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs) in 1991, we were among the first universities to successfully apply for that kind of structured doctoral program. Ever since, we have been among the German Universities with the highest number of these programs. Third-party funding for structured doctoral programs is limited to a certain period of time, hence the university is always eager to attract additional financial and infrastructural support to the programs. Together with many partners from outside the university and diverse sources of funding, Humboldt-Universität succeeded in establishing many excellent doctoral programs. These range from the International Postgraduate Programs of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), International Max Planck Research Schools, Research Training Networks of the European Union to Graduate Colleges
of the Franco-German University and many more. We are particularly proud of our Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences and Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies. These schools have been funded through the German Excellence Initiative since 2006. We are also proud to significantly contribute to the Berlin Mathematical School, which is also funded through the Excellence Initiative and is hosted by the Technische Universität Berlin. These programs are participating in the second round of the German Excellence Initiative in 2011 and we hope that they will be able to continue their successful work at the same level for the next five years. 7 In addition, initiatives by our faculties and professors to establish doctoral programs beyond third-party funding are highly encouraged. Succesful examples include the Berlin Doctoral Program Economics & Management Science (BDPEMS) and the Doctoral Certificate Program in Agricultural Economics. Synergies and sustainability are granted by cooperation with other scientific institutions. Today, more than 45 programs at Humboldt-Universität cater to the individual scientific needs of doctoral students from Germany and abroad. The number is steadily increasing and we are expecting a significant change in 2012 due to the strategy of the university to establish structured doctoral programs at the level of our faculties. Humboldt Graduate School In 2006, the Humboldt Graduate School was established as the overarching quality assurance and service structure for structured doctoral programs. Member programs are obliged to adopt quality criteria based on competitiveness, transparency, equality, international standards, and the provision of adequate supervision and support. Humboldt Graduate School evaluates its member programs and acts as a quality assurance body as well as a non-scientific service and support structure for its member programs and their doctoral students. Situated in the dwellings of the former Royal Veterinarian School in the city center of Berlin, the campus of the Humboldt Graduate School is hosting an information service centre (InfoDesk) dedicated particularly to support our international students and a café and lounge with suites for networking events. The community spirit on the doctoral campus makes students feel right at home. It is also here where doctoral students of our member programs can attend high profile non-scientific skills trainings which are an essential part of graduate education and support future scientific career opportunities. Doctoral students in one of the Humboldt Graduate School member programs may expect a high-quality doctoral education and an outstanding career support. Humboldt Graduate School is committed to: ensuring a high quality of structured doctoral research training, which includes the support and monitoring of equal opportunity measures, co-ordinating as well as extending training opportunities for doctoral students, especially by providing high-quality interdisciplinary training, providing comprehensive services across the research programs, thus leading to a greater efficiency and quality of service.
8 At present, Humboldt Graduate School caters to 14 member programs which you will find described in the following chapters. Further member programs will be accepted in the future. InfoDesk Location: Luisenstr. 56, D-10117 Berlin Postal address: Unter den Linden 6, D-10099 Berlin Telephone: +49 (0)30 2093 1799 Email: hgs-info@hu-berlin.de Online Information: http://humboldt-graduate-school.de DFG Research Training Groups National and the International Research Training Groups (Nationale und Internationale Graduiertenkollegs) are funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG) and are the most common type of doctoral program in Germany. In a Research Training Group, qualified doctoral students work on their doctoral thesis within a collaborative research environment. Research Training Groups are open to all disciplines and preferably focus on interdisciplinary research questions. Doctoral students benefit significantly from participation in a Research Training Group: their doctoral thesis is integrated with comprehensive, outstanding research program; they are actively involved in an accompanying study program; advisory structures are transparent and innovative; and incentives to encourage mobility and networking in the international scientific community are provided. Support for doctoral students within Research Training Groups includes funding for scholarships, travel, and smaller conferences organized by doctoral students. Research Training Groups also seek to promote international cooperation in the field of doctoral education and, in particular, raise the appeal of German universities for international students pursuing a doctorate. This is done by encouraging international collaboration by funding travel and stays abroad for doctoral students, offering a program for visiting professors and accepting international students into the doctoral program; promoting International Research Training Groups in which German and international universities jointly design the doctoral programs. For the host universities, Research Training Groups contribute to improving the development of the doctoral phase by providing them with incentives and opportunities to create new structures to advance the development of young researchers. Research Training Groups provide a framework for testing new forms of structured doctoral training and thus continue to provide models and experience for broader doctoral programs designed to run long-term.
Current Doctoral Programs at Humboldt-Universität Listing 9 Life Sciences Berlin School of Mind and Brain Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies Cellular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory Consolidation in the Hippocampal Formation Computational Systems Biology (GRK 1772) Functional Molecular Infection Epidemiology (IGRK 1673) Genetic and Immunologic Determinants of Pathogen-Host Interactions (ZIBI) Hormonal Regulation of Energy Metabolism, Body Weight and Growth Induction and Modulation of T-cell-Mediated Immune Reactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract (SFB 633) International Graduate Program Medical Neurosciences International Helmholtz Research School Translational Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine (TransCard) International Max Planck Research School for Infectious Diseases and Immunology International PhD Program Molecular Cell Biology International Research Training Group for Myology (MyoGrad) Multimorbidity in Old Age Principles and Applications of Adoptive T-Cell Therapy Sensory Computation in Neural Systems (GRK 1589) The International Doctoral Program Computational Neuroscience Natural Sciences and Mathematics Berlin International Graduate School of Natural Science and Engineering (BIG-NSE) Berlin Mathematical School Complex Surfaces in Material Science Dynamische Phänomene in komplexen Netzwerken (IGK 1740) Elementary Processes in Molecular Switches at Surfaces (SFB 658) Fluorine as a key element (GK 1582) Halbleiter-Nanophotonik: Materialien, Modelle, Bauelemente (SFB 787) International Max Planck Research School on Biomimetic Systems Leibniz Graduate School Molecular Biophysics Mass, Spectrum, Symmetry: Particle Physics in the Era of the Large Hadron Collider, Research Training Group (GK 1504) Methods for Discrete Structures Model-Based Development of Technologies for Self-Organizing Information Systems in Application for Disasters Management (METRIK) Multivalency in Chemistry and Biochemistry (SFB 765) Prospective Design of Human-Technology-Interaction (GRK 1013) Service-oriented Architectures for the Integration of Software-based (SOAMED) Processes, exemplified by Health Care Systems and Medical Technology (GK 1651 ) Self-Assembled Soft-Matter Nanostructures at Interfaces (IGRK 1524) Space-Time-Matter. Analytic and Geometric Structures (SFB 647) Stochastic Models of Complex Processes
10 Social Sciences and Humanities Agricultural Economics, Doctoral Certificate Program Berlin Doctoral Program Economics & Management Science (BDPEMS) Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies BerGSAS Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences Berlin - New York: History and Culture of the Metropolis in the 20th century Between Spaces. Movements, Actors and Representations of Globalisation (IGRK 1571) European PhD in Socio-Economic and Statistical Studies Gender as a Category of Knowledge (GRK 1014) Graduate School of Ancient Philosophy Herrschaft im 20. Jahrhundert. Gesellschaftsgeschichtliche Perspektiven Humboldt Graduate School of Business Interdependencies in the Regulation of Markets (GRK 1659) Kollegium Jüdische Studien (KJS) Multilevel Constitutionalism: European Experiences and Global Perspectives (GRK 1263) PhD-Net Das Wissen der Literatur Representations of Changing Social Orders (SFB 640) Resource Politics and Gender Justice in the Context of Globalization The Life Course: Evolutionary and Ontogenetic Dynamics (LIFE) Transformations of Antiquity Transnational Criminal Justice Thinking Differences: History as Object and as Representation
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Profile, Facts and Figures 11 Alma Mater Berolinensis Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was founded as the German reform university in 1810. Ever since, HU has been a comprehensive university, or universitas litterarum, embracing all fundamental scientific disciplines in the humanities, social and cultural sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, medicine and agricultural sciences. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is organized into 11 faculties. In its Institutional Strategy, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin translates the guiding principles of its foundation into the 21st century. Ideas are formulated and measures are taken to advance the integration of teaching and research, the exchange between scientific disciplines, the dismantling of hierarchies, the strengthening of the international aspects of research and teaching, the support for young researchers, the transfer of research results into modern society, and the strategic development of top-level research. In 2006 and 2007, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was awarded funding in the first and second line of the first phase of the German Excellence Initiative for four Graduate Schools and two Clusters of Excellence. Among the winners in the first funding line of the competition were the Graduate Schools Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences, Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies and the Berlin Mathematical School (hosted by Technische Universität Berlin). In the second funding line, the two Excellence Clusters Neuro- Cure: Towards a Better Outcome of Neurological Disorders and Topoi: the Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilizations (both in co-operation with Freie Universität Berlin) received funding. For these six proposals, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is requesting funding again in the current second phase of the Excellence Initiative. In the second phase, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has been invited to submit full proposals in all three funding lines. We are requesting funding for four new Graduate Schools: FutureLand Graduate School The Transformation of Land Use to Sustainability, Robert Koch Graduate School Berlin, School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof, and the Berlin School of Integrative Oncology (together with Freie Universität) and two Clusters of Excellence, Image Knowledge Gestaltung. An Interdisciplinary Laboratory and GenoRare Medical Genomics of Rare Disease (together with Freie Universität Berlin). With its Institutional Strategy to Promote Top-Level Research Bildung durch Wissenschaft Educating Enquiring Minds, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin wants to build on the experiences of the past 200 years and bring in new ideas to continue the university s impressive track record. The strategy is based on three guiding principles, individuality, openness, and guidance. In summer 2012, the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Council of Science and the Humanities (WR) will reach decisions on initial proposals and renewals.
12 Strong Key Research Areas Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is one of Germany s highest performing universities in both research and teaching and has consistently ranked among the Top Ten in the Funding Ranking published by the German Research Foundation (DFG) since the mid-1990s. It receives the fourth largest volume of funding of all German universities for its Collaborative Research Centers (CRC), is speaker university for 13 CRC and participates in 14 additional CRC. HU is at the forefront of promoting junior researchers, holding primary responsibility for twelve research training groups (RTG) and participating in a further eight. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin s research departments maintain close ties with other institutions in Germany and abroad. The university cooperates with all neighbouring universities as well as with numerous research institutes of the Max Planck Society, the Leibniz Association, the Helmholtz Association, and with federal research institutions, such as the German Archaeological Institute, the Robert Koch Institute, and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing. As part of its Institutional Strategy and in order to promote and strengthen the profile development in research and teaching, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is working on the further development and establishment of its Integrative Research Institutes (IRI). Together with the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin-Buch (MDC), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has founded the new IRI for the Life Sciences at its Campus Nord. The new IRI will strengthen the life sciences in high-profile research areas and will be Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin s second IRI, after the Integrative Research Institute for the Sciences (IRIS Adlershof) opened in 2009. A third IRI is currently in the planning stage, THESys The Great Transformations of Human-Environmental Systems, and will organize interdisciplinary research aimed at a better understanding of societal opportunities and limitations in the light of current transformation processes in human-environmental systems. On the next page you will find a selection of general data concerning Humboldt- Universität. More detailed information (some only available in German) can be obtained from the links provided (http://www.hu-berlin.de/ueberblick-en/facts/standardseite).
Facts and Figures in 2011 13 Actual Students total (Bachelor and Master level) 34,705 excl. Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin 27,756 women 16,018 from abroad 4,734 Degree courses in total 258 Bachelor/Master/extension courses 168 Diplom/Magister courses 64 Courses leading to a state examination or state teaching examination 26 Actual Doctoral Students approx. 5,000 Ph.D. Graduates (2011) 1,119 excl. Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin 633 Doctoral Programs 57 Junior research groups 13 Academic Staff (lectureships / research assistantships) 1,756 Professorships 411 of which women 101 of which junior professors 49 of which female junior professors 30 Collaborative Research Centres in which Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has a leading role (including Charité) 13 other Collaborative Research Centres in which Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin participates (including Charité) 12 Interdisciplinary centres 13 DFG research centre 1 DFG research units 15
Life Sciences
16 Life Sciences Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies Contact Information Speaker: Deputy: Prof. Dr. Georg Duda, Julius Wolff Insitut, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Volk, Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Coordinator: Dr. Sabine Bartosch Address: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Institut Für medizinische Immunologie Augustenburger Platz 1 D-13353 Berlin Host Institution: Charité and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Telephone: +49 (0)30 450 539418 Email: info@bsrt.de Online Information: http://www.bsrt.de Introduction The Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT) is a joint project of the clinical, biological, and engineering sciences in the field of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is based on employing targeted cell differentiation to promote endogenous tissue regeneration to help fight acute and chronic diseases. The Graduate School is closely associated with the Berlin- Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), a multidisciplinary research center funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Helmholtz Association, which aims to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications. Research Areas The rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary field of regenerative medicine combines pure science, materials science, clinical disciplines and biotechnology with the goal of repairing or replacing tissues and organs impaired by aging, diseases, trauma or congenital abnormalities. Regenerative medicine investigates the development of functional tissue and organ substitutes in vitro for implantation in vivo, as well as the ability to remodel and regenerate tissue in vivo through cell delivery or targeted stimulation of (stem) cell differentiation to repair, maintain or enhance organ function. A major focus of the research in the field is on the regeneration and repair of diseased or aged tissue. Special attention is given to the problems of the aging population. Current investigations include studies on the cellular behavior of inflammation, regeneration, neoplasia and degeneration. This research addresses important diseases including autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, allergic diseases), infectious diseases, cancer, and the degeneration of bones and cartilage (osteo arthritis and osteoporosis). Research Collaborations The internationally recognized research groups of the Charité, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Universität Potsdam, Max Planck Institute, Leibnitz and Helmholtz Institutes, along with other prominent research institutions in Berlin and Brandenburg, contribute to the training programs at the BSRT. The founding members of the BSRT faculty comprise 25 renowned professors from clinical fields relevant to the BSRT as well as the natural, material and engineering sciences and cut across disciplinary and institutional boundaries to promote cutting-edge scientific research.
Facilities The Graduate School is located in the BCRT s building on the Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum in the immediate vicinity of several surgical wards, the German Heart Institute Berlin, the Robert Koch Institute, and the Technische Universität Berlin s Institute for Biotechnology. The BCRT building provides office and lab space for the BSRT administration, two newly assigned professors, and the BSRT doctoral students. The BSRT administration has also a branch office in the Humboldt Graduate School s building at Luisenstraße 56, where many of the complementary training courses take place. Courses The BSRT offers an international post-graduate training program which is taught in English. The school s educational activities include scientific training, training in complementary skills, and personal development. The BSRT is divided into three tracks: the biology track, the engineering track, and the clinical scientist track. Each track offers in-depth education in that specific discipline, as well as training across the disciplines to provide a well-rounded education in cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, biotechnology, and biomaterials. Clinically-oriented introductory courses provide scientists with insights into the clinical requirements for regenerative medicine. The complementary courses impart skills such as communication, presentation, languages, ethics, good scientific practice, and entrepreneurship in order to prepare the Ph.D. students for a career in or outside academia. The BSRT s Ph.D. Student Award acknowledges outstanding scientific achievements in the field of regenerative medicine. Young, talented scientists in Berlin and Brandenburg who are doing their Ph.D. in the field of regenerative medicine can submit their publications and posters by the 31 st of October of each year. The award ceremony takes place each December during the annual BSRT Nikolaus Lecture. Information about Applying National or international graduate students with a master s or equivalent degree in biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, veterinary medicine, chemistry, physics, engineering or medicine can apply to the appropriate track through the regular international calls for applications. Applicants to the BSRT must complete an online application form at http://www.bsrt.de and select three research projects which they wish to join. Based on their qualifications, motivation and references, approximately 30 applicants are invited for further assessment in Berlin where they participate in personal interviews and give a short oral presentation about their current research. Approximately 15 applicants will be enrolled into the program. The doctoral candidates will receive a Dr. rer. nat. from the Humboldt-Universität, the Freie Universität or the Universität Potsdam, or a Dr.-Ing. from the Technische Universität upon completing their research with the program. Funding for Doctoral Students Two main types of funding are available for the doctoral students: Research positions or stipends as part of funded research projects of the BSRT research groups. The number of stipends varies depending on the number of projects and grants available. Stipends provided by the BSRT and funded by the DFG (German Research Foundation). The stipends are fully funded for two or three years. Approximately 15 stipends are awarded annually. Funding of the Graduate Program The program is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. Member of 17
18 Life Sciences Berlin School of Mind and Brain Contact Information Speakers: Prof. Dr. Arno Villringer, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science, Leipzig Prof. Dr. Michael Pauen, Faculty of Arts and Humanities I, Institute of Philosophy Coordinator: Annette Winkelmann, M.A. Address: Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin Berlin School of Mind and Brain Luisenstrase 56, Haus 1 D-10117 Berlin Host Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Telephone: +49 (0)30 2093 1707 E-mail: admissions@mind-and-brain.de Online Information: http://www.mind-and-brain.de Introduction The Berlin School of Mind and Brain is an international research school offering a unique three-year interdisciplinary doctoral program in English in the mind and brain sciences. The school has a faculty of nearly 60 distinguished researchers covering the gamut of research in the mind and brain sciences. Between ten and fifteen doctoral candidates are accepted into the school each year. Research Areas Research within the Berlin School of Mind and Brain focuses on the interface between the humanities and the neurosciences. Of particular interest are research areas that fall on the borders between the mind sciences (e.g., philosophy, linguistics, behavioral and cognitive science, economics), and the brain sciences (e.g., neurophysiology, computational neuroscience, neurology, and neurobiology). Major topics of research within the program include: (1) perception, attention and consciousness, (2) decision-making, (3) language, (4) brain plasticity and lifespan ontogeny, (5) brain disorders and mental dysfunction, as well as the philosophy of mind and ethics. Recently, the new topic human sociality and the brain has been added to the school s program. However, research is not limited to these areas, and candidates are strongly encouraged to develop and work at their own initiative on any projects that are relevant to interdisciplinary questions relating to mind and brain. Partners in Research and Training Hosted by Humboldt-Universität the School works in close collaboration with: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Freie Universität Berlin Technische Universität Berlin Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg Universität Potsdam Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig Mind and Brain Institute, Berlin Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin Berlin NeuroImaging Center Neuroscience Research Center, Charité Center for General Linguistics (ZAS) Interdisciplinary Center for Meaning in Language Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Architecture and Software Technology
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities Facilities The Berlin School of Mind and Brain is located at the Humboldt Graduate School on Campus Nord in close vicinity to the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, its Neuroscience Center Building, the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, and the departments of Neurophysiology, Neurology, Experimental Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The main campus of the Humboldt-Universität is located within easy walking distance. The facilities include office space for the especially appointed Mind and Brain professors, doctoral candidates and management staff, as well as seminar rooms, a computer pool, a lounge area, a family room, and a service desk for students and guests. Doctoral Program The curriculum of the school s doctoral program comprises eight weeks of courses, a weekly international lecture series, a weekly journal and methods club, annual poster presentations, scientific soft skills courses, mentoring, and career advisement. Supervision Each doctoral research project carried out under the auspices of the Berlin School of Mind and Brain will be supervised by two experienced advisors, who must be professors. As mind/brain projects must be inherently interdisciplinary, one of these advisors will typically have a mind and the other one a brain background. Mentoring Each student will have access to a mentor. Mentors will either be experienced faculty or a person of public standing and integrity. The mentor s role is to advise the student regarding questions of personal and career development and on possible further exploration of new scientific terrain. the process of completing) a master s degree or German Diplom, Staatsexamen, or magister in a field related to mind or brain research (e.g. philosophy, linguistics, psychology, medicine, computer science, biology, law, economics, or related fields). Applications must include a detailed research proposal in one of the research areas of the Berlin School of Mind and Brain, which must be relevant to the subject of mind and brain. The five-page proposals must contain a detailed project idea, and include a summary of previous research, a justification for the relevance of the current project and the proposed research methodology, a summary of the hypotheses and research questions to be addressed, and a relevant bibliography. Graduate students are invited to turn in their application including all other required documents by January 15 th of each year. Funding for Doctoral Students Depending on the student s individual profile and interest, funding will usually consist of a full scholarship (external or internal) or research and/or teaching posts with one of the faculty members. The Berlin School of Mind and Brain can offer a limited number of scholarships plus generous travel grant opportunities (application is possible following a consultation with the school and the supervisors). It is not necessary for applicants to bring their own funding to the program. However, if applicants already have secured funding (e.g. an external scholarship or a research position with a faculty member) they should name the source of funding. Funding of the Graduate Program The program is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. Member of 19 Information about Applying In order to be considered as an applicant for the School, students must have completed (or be in
20 Life Sciences Cellular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory Consolidation in the Hippocampal Formation Research Training Group GRK 1123 Contact Information Speaker: Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinemann Coordinator: Barbra Neuhoff Address: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Department of Neurophysiology Charitéplatz 1 D-10117 Berlin Host Institution: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Telephone: +49 (0)30 450 528 091 Email: Uwe.Heinemann@charite.de; Barbara.Neuhoff@charite.de Online Information: http://www.charite.de/grk1123/ Introduction The study of cellular mechanisms of learning and memory formation as well as memory consolidation is of utmost interest in biology and medicine, as it determines the capability of an organism to adapt to its environment independently of genetically determined behaviors. Consequently, formation of explicit memory is one of the most important aspects of human behavior and is the prerequisite of our individuality. Conversely, disturbance of the cellular and molecular processes underlying learning and memory can result in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. These include devastating diseases such as temporal lobe epilepsy and Alzheimer s disease. The most intensely studied cellular models of learning and memory are LTP (long-term potentiation) and LTD (long-term depression). Many of the underlying pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms are still far from being understood. While short-term memory depends on covalent modifications of preexisting proteins, enduring memory traces need to be consolidated and depend on gene transcription. The specific translated proteins contribute to changes in neuronal circuitry that might comprise the generation of sharp wave ripple complexes, the formation of frequency memories and low frequency-induced heterosynaptic increases in LTP. Moreover, stored information may be replayed in the form of patterns of neuronal activity during slow wave sleep superimposed on sharp wave ripple complexes and thereby cause alterations of synaptic coupling outside the hippocampus proper. Each of the thirteen tutors of this graduate school will bring his or her specific expertise to these problems. Using physiological, morphological, cell biological, genetic, and behavioral methods, as well as modeling of neuronal network properties, the students in the graduate school will have the opportunity to contribute to this exciting field of the neurosciences within an excellent environment for training in modern neurobiological methods. Research Areas Mechanisms underlying formation of long term changes in synaptic coupling Mechanisms of translation leading to long term changes in protein formation relevant to memories Mechanisms underlying formation of sharp waveripple complexes during which information is replayed and transferred from hippocampus to cortex The role of sleep in this process
Research Collaboration The program is an example of interdisciplinary collaboration between biology, biochemistry, and medicine, and originally comprised several research groups from three institutions: Freie Universität Berlin Institute of Biology Department of Genetics Institute of Chemistry-Biochemistry Department of Membrane Biochemistry Department of Biochemistry Charité Campus Mitte Institute of Neurophysiology Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy Institute of Cell and Neurobiology Neuroscience Research Center Clinics for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin ITB Theoretical Neuroscience Institute of Biology Department of Animal Physiology and Systems Neurobiology Facilities Ph.D. students can use facilities in thirteen institutes of the Charité, HU and FU related to morphology, electrophysiology, molecular biology, and behavior. In order to foster contact with national and international peers, the program includes both funding for visiting scientists and financial aid for travel to meetings and conferences for the students. Courses The research training program was designed to provide an opportunity for a selected group of international Ph.D. students from different disciplines to study cellular mechanisms of learning and memory formation. The study program includes obligatory soft skill and hard skill courses, participation in neuroscience seminars including pre-talk sessions with the speaker, participation in scientific symposia and congresses, and elective courses. Courses are offered in MDPhD medical neurosciences, computational neurosciences, and international methods courses such as patching in vivo. Individualized course offerings are available depending on the needs of the student. Information about Applying Applications should be sent to the coordinator of the program: Freie Universität Berlin, FB Biologie/Genetik AG Sigrist, GRK 1123 Barbara Neuhoff, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin The formal prerequisites for submitting an application include: Academic Background A diploma or MSc in one of the following disciplines: biology, neurobiology, psychology, computational neuroscience, veterinary medicine, biophysics, medicine, or pharmacology. Medical students should still be enrolled in their studies and can apply after the completion of their third year. Proficiency in English All events and teaching require a profound knowledge of the English language (proof of TOEFL or equivalent). Letter of recommendation Letter of motivation Curriculum vitae Successful applicants should not be older than 33. Funding for Doctoral Students Twelve Ph.D. stipends, three medical student stipends, five stipends for students who have not yet completed their masters thesis. In general, Ph.D. students receive a two-year fellowship with the option of a one-year extension. Funding of the Graduate Program The graduate program is financed by the DFG (German Research Foundation), which provides funds for travel, administration, consumables, equipment, and guests. 21
22 Life Sciences Computational Systems Biology Research Training Group GRK 1772 Contact Information Speaker: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Edda Klipp Scientific coordinator: Dr. Cordelia Arndt-Sullivan Address: Department of Theoretical Biophysics Invalidenstr. 42 D-10115 Berlin Host Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Telephone: +49 (0)30 2093 9040 / 8383 Email: edda.klipp@hu-berlin.de arndtsuc@cms.hu-berlin.de Online Information: http://www.berlin-csb.de Introduction Biology has turned into a quantitative, informationdriven science. Like physics in the first half of the twentieth century, biology now generates very challenging questions that drive the development of theory and technology. The results of biological research have found numerous applications in medicine and healthcare, biotechnology, and the environmental sciences. This process requires the development of new theoretical concepts for understanding biological processes, for the interpretation of biological data and for creating new strategies for experimentation and application. Computational Systems Biology (CSB) is a joint effort of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Charite -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin-Buch. Our goal is the development of new theoretical concepts and their application to current and future problems in cell biology. The qualification concepts of CSB comprise (i) inspiring and challenging research projects for the young scientists embedded in the CSB research program and the individual groups, (ii) individual super vision and mentoring, (iii) advanced education in concepts and methods of computational systems biology through lectures and practical courses as well as soft skills training, and (iv) early involvement in the research community, a series of common activities ranging from seminars with external guests to common retreats and scientific workshops as well as the organization of research stays in foreign laboratories. Research Areas The research focus of CSB is (a) structural investigation of protein-protein interactions, (b) detailed kinetic models of cellular processes, (c) reverse engineering for prediction of genetic networks from new types of data, and (d) spatio-temporal organization of networks. Research Collaboration We have long-standing collaborations with the Bioinformatics programs of Boston University and Kyoto University. Since 2001, a common workshop (International workshop on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology) brings together Ph.D. students, young scientists and faculty from all three partner institutions. Facilities Access to the groups computer resources.
Courses Biannual courses in computational tools and methods for bioinformatics and systems biology are offered. 23 Information about Applying We are looking for highly-motivated students with a strong interest in systems biology and mathematical modeling. Successful applicants must hold the equivalent of a master s level degree in life sciences, mathematics, physics or computer science. The Ph.D. fellowship comprises a monthly stipend which is initially granted for two years and which can be extended for another twelve months. We offer an excellent training program in computational systems biology, supervision by at least two experienced scientists, and a wide variety of opportunities for local and international collaboration. For application, please contact Dr. Cordelia Arndt- Sullivan (arndtsuc@biologie.hu-berlin.de). Funding for Doctoral Students Doctoral students receive a monthly stipend of 1365 plus consumables (103 ). Funding of the Graduate Program The graduate program is funded by the DFG (German Research Foundation). Future Member of the Humboldt Graduate School (accreditation in progress).
24 Life Sciences Computational Neuroscience International Research Training School and Sensory Computation in Neural Systems Research Training Group GRK 1589 Contact Information Speaker: Coordinator: Address: Prof. Dr. Klaus Obermayer, Technische Universität Berlin Vanessa Casagrande Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Philippstr. 13, Haus 6 D-10115 Berlin Host Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Telephone: +49 (0)30 2093 6773 Email: graduateprograms@bccn-berlin.de Online Information: http://www.bccn-berlin.de/graduate_programs http://www.eecs.tu-berlin.de/grk_15891/menue/ sensory_computation_in_neural_systems/ Introduction The Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience offers an interdisciplinary, international Ph.D. Program in computational neuroscience involving several universities, leading to a Dr. rer. nat. degree, the German equivalent of a Ph.D. The program is aimed at students who are interested in neuroscience and have a strong background in mathematics. In accordance with the inter disciplinary nature of computational neuroscience, the program encourages students from diverse disciplines such as the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics to apply. The core of the BCCN doctoral program is represented by the Research Training Group Sensory Computation in Neural Systems. Research Areas Computational neuroscience is a young and growing discipline within the exciting field of neuro science. It uses theoretical approaches from a variety of disciplines, including mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering, to understand the brain by integrating experiments, data analysis and modeling. The center s research groups work on a single cell level up to a macroscopic level, both experimentally and theoretically. The main research areas covered by the faculty of the research training group include neural information processing, modeling of cognitive processes, neuroimaging, psychiatry, and psychotherapy, stochastic processes in neuro science, computational neurophysiology, artificial intelligence, cognitive robotics, and machine learning. Research Collaboration The Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin integrates research and teaching activities at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, the Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, and the Universität Potsdam. Furthermore, the Bernstein Center Berlin is part of the National Network for Computational Neuroscience made up of the Bernstein Centers, Bernstein Foci, Bernstein Collaborations, Bernstein Groups, Bernstein Awards and the G-Node. More information about this network can be found at http://www.nncn.unifreiburg.de Facilities The Bernstein Center Berlin has a faculty of approximately 30 principal investigators. The
center has two central buildings housing some of the research groups, the central administration, a seminar room, a lecture hall, a computer pool, and a library. It is the location of the monthly Bernstein meetings as well as the Ph.D. meeting. A tea room and the garden offer space for informal get-togethers. Additional students rooms are available at the Technische Universität. Courses The main focus of the Ph.D. program is a three year research project, which is complemented by an individualized curriculum including course work, summer schools, conferences and transferable skill courses. The curriculum includes a compulsory lecture series on computational neuroscience and machine learning held by the training group s project leaders. Within the first six months of their project, students have to defend their Ph.D. proposal in front of a Ph.D. committee. Students must also report to their committee on an annual basis. Furthermore, students attend a monthly Ph.D. meeting, followed by the Bernstein meeting, at which international experts within the field of computational neuroscience are invited to present and discuss their work. Funding for Doctoral Students Scholarships are provided by the DFG (German Research Foundation). They amount to 1.468 Euro monthly (tax-free) plus a child allowance, if applicable. Funding of the Graduate Program The graduate program is financed by the DFG (German Research Foundation), which provides funds for travels, administration, consumables, equipment, and guests. The program is also integrated into the infrastructure of the Bernstein Center, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and by the supporting institutions. 25 Information about Applying To enter the Ph.D. program, applicants must have successfully completed their university education at a master s, Diplom, Staatsexamen, or Magister level in a field related to computation neuroscience, such as the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. It is possible to apply before degree completion; admittance will be subject to sub mission of the degree certificate when enrolling in the program. Applications can be submitted via our internet portal at www.bccn-berlin.de/applications and must include a C.V., a transcript of records, a letter of motivation, two letters of recommendation, and a project proposal. Selection of candidates occurs in a two-step process. A committee first reviews the applications; promising candidates are then invited for an interview at the Bernstein Center. Based on the outcome of the interviews the selection committee will name the successful candidates.