Support for postdocs
The Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen and the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory employ about 45 postdocs from over 20 countries. Pursuing your postdoctoral training here means working in an exciting, interdisciplinary and stimulating environment. As a postdoc you are offered superb research conditions with well-equipped laboratories and access to world-class on-site facilities.
Joining the Institute
The Postdoc Coordinator and the International Office Managers support all (international) postdocs who are coming to work at the Institute.
The International Office Managers will help you to handle the burdens of bureaucracy in order to enable you to concentrate on your research career from the very beginning. The Postdoc Coordinator will be in touch to welcome you to the institute and share information about the support we offer during your time with us.
Development Opportunities for Postdocs
We offer a number of development opportunities and events for postdocs. Our postdocs can also benefit from the training opportunities at the ‘Planck Academy’ and the University of Tübingen.
Next to workshops we offer a number of career development opportunities, such as ‘Connect the docs’. ‘Connect the docs’ is a lunchtime networking meeting where a project or group leader shares insights into how they got to their position and lessons learned.
Postdoc Ana Montalvão about her research at the MPI for Biology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jpISccxrPMPostdoc Representatives
Two postdocs are elected by the postdoc community to represent the institutes’ postdocs. This ensures that matters impacting postdocs at the institutes are also considered from a postdoc perspective. They work closely with the Postdoc Coordinator and assist with the organization of events and activities for postdocs. Furthermore, they help to improve the working conditions of postdocs and serve as a direct link between the postdoc community and the MPI’s and FML’s faculty and administration.
Current Representative:
Hadeer Elhabashy
Previous Representatives:
- 2024 Emma Kane and Daniel Liesner
- 2023 Ana Paula Montalvao
- 2022 Kelsey Huus and Josué Barrera Redondo
- 2021 Brandon Seah and Carolina Sánchez
- 2020 Aditi Singh and Joana Pereira
- 2019 Layla Hiramatsu and Wei Yuan
Talia Karasov, Postdoc with Detlef Weigel (2015 – 2020)
Currently Assistant Professor at the University of Utah
“Moving to Germany to do a postdoc at the MPI in Tuebingen was among the best decisions I have made in my scientific career. On a scientific level, the MPI in Tuebingen offers opportunities that few other institutions can. With the abundant resources of the MPI and surrounded by collaborative colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds, I found that I was able to explore new fields in biology, and to pursue my own ideas rigorously. On a personal level, the slow pace of life in that gorgeous town was just right.”
Joana Pereira, Postdoc with Andrei Lupas (2016 – 2020)
Currently Group Leader at VIB.AI and KU Leuven, Belgium
“I started in the department of Protein Evolution in January 2016 as a postdoc, fresh out of my PhD. On my first day, I found a super stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment, but also an extraordinary mentor and a great collaborative feeling. As a biochemist turned bioinformatician, it was great to follow on my ideas and interests freely and have my predictions discussed and taken directly into the lab by my experimental colleages. My 5 years in Tuebingen did not only shape me into the researcher I am today and define the type of mentor I want to be, but have also given me multiple friends I take for life and still do science with. “
Taichi Suzuki, Postdoc with Ruth Ley (2018 – 2022)
Currently Assistant Professor at Arizona State University
“Thanks to Ruth Ley and colleagues at the MPI, my postdoc experience was fantastic. I can think of at least three major advantages being a postdoc at the MPI. First, I got a postdoc contract of an appropriate length plus extensions which gave me sufficient job security and enabled me to develop new skills and to work on an exploratory, longer-term project.
Second, the privileged funding system at the MPI allows researchers to access cutting edge equipment and talented human resources. I got to conduct one of my dream projects that cannot be done without the MPI resource (e.g., an in-house germ-free facility!). Lastly, the diversity in research topics within and between departments was very educational. I got to interact, learn, and collaborate closely with many people with diverse backgrounds and interests within the Ley lab, during seminars, beer hours, and the ping-pong table on the roof top terrace. Tübingen is a very cute, safe, and international German town that you need to visit. I am thankful and proud to be part of the MPI for Biology, Tübingen.”
Josué Barrera Redondo, Postdoc with Susana Coelho (2021 – 2024)
Currently Assistant Professor at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Irapuato, Mexico
“I joined Susana Coelho's department for my first and only postdoc position in 2021, which I consider a turning point in my career. The MPI for Biology offers a state-of-the-art infrastructure, a multicultural community and numerous academic development opportunities for researchers.
I would like to highlight the academic excellence of the institute: the scientific staff is full of brilliant minds who have helped and inspired me through collaboration and stimulating conversations. An impromptu discussion in the hallway even led to the publication of my first postdoc project.
The institute organises weekly events to network with other researchers at the institute and meet prominent scientists from around the world. In particular, Susana has always supported my intellectual freedom, encouraged me to pursue my academic interests, and helped me establish a line of research that I continue to develop today. Susana also motivated me to pursue third-party funding, which I consider an important step towards academic independence and a successful academic career.
The administrative and support staff were also exceptionally friendly and helpful throughout my stay as a non-EU citizen.
I am deeply grateful for the valuable memories of the wonderful people I met in Tübingen and for the excellent academic opportunities that this stay offered me.”
James Lightfoot, Postdoc with Ralf Sommer (2012 – 2020)
Currently Group Leader at the MPI for Neurobiology of Behaviour, Bonn
"When I joined Ralf Sommer’s department in Tübingen, I was looking for a position that would provide me with the opportunity to develop and explore my own research ideas in a stimulating scientific environment. Fortunately, I found this in abundance at the MPI for Biology in Tübingen where I was surrounded with brilliant scientists who were pursuing research across a broad range of topics. The mix of international researchers from all over the world made the atmosphere welcoming with new collaborations as well as long lasting friendships being easily established. Another great advantage is the easy access to state-of-the-art equipment, knowledgeable technicians and other essential staff which made even complex experiments possible. Overall, my time as a postdoc at the institute greatly developed my scientific creativity as well as the leadership skills which have proven essential to continue my career as an independent group leader."
Katherine Rogers, Postdoc with Patrick Müller (2015 – 2021)
Currently Lead Investigator at the NICHD, Bethesda
“As an “Amerikanerin”, I was grateful for the warm reception from the institute and town, and especially for their patience with my attempts to speak German (The German classes offered at the institute were helpful.)! Tübingen is a charming city with beautiful classic architecture and plenty of entertaining events like the Schokoladenmarkt in the winter, the Stocherkahn race in the summer, and farmers markets in the town center. You can also hike through nearby forests and meadows and if you like end the day at a beer garden, take a trip down the Neckar River on a Stocherkahn (at a more relaxed pace), or visit the Bebenhausen monastery. The institute is on a hill, with spectacular views of the Neckar river valley and the Swabian Alb from its balcony. There, I frequently enjoyed pretzels, beverages, fine company, and engaging scientific discussions. Finally, and most importantly, I was glad to take advantage of the intellectual freedom and excellent resources available at the institute.”