This English-taught MSc program advances students' existing grounding in biochemistry and molecular biology by teaching deeper molecular and biochemical concepts and hands-on analytical approaches. You will learn to investigate biomolecules and cellular functions at molecular levels across diverse research areas. The program is coordinated by the Center for Molecular Biomedicine in Jena and draws on research and teaching from institutes located on the Beutenberg science campus: the Fritz Lipman Institute on Aging, the Hans Knöll Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology.
In the first semester you complete three compulsory basic modules that combine lectures, seminars and practical courses. These cover modern spectroscopy and bioimaging techniques; regulatory aspects and analytical methods in biochemistry alongside genome structure and changes; and core cell biology topics including molecular cell biology, signal transduction, hormone action and a seminar in molecular pharmacology.
In the second semester you choose three (with the option to add a fourth) from a set of 14 advanced modules such as Biochemistry of Natural Products; Organic Chemistry; Chemical Ecology; Genetic Instability, Tumour Biology and Ageing; Molecular Medicine of Ion Transport; Proteomics; Systems Biology; Epigenetics and Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes; Cellular Plasticity (including neuronal plasticity, stem cells and immunology of ageing); Pharmacological Cell Biology; Immunobiology; Infection Biology; and Virology. Each advanced module typically pairs lectures/seminars with a practical course, often carried out in a laboratory of your choice on the Jena campus.
The second year is devoted entirely to laboratory-based work: mastering techniques, planning experimental projects and completing a Master's thesis in a Jena lab. Academic counselling is provided to help you select modules and a research group that best fit your scientific interests.
This Master's programme is deliberately flexible and coordinated centrally to let each student follow their own scientific interests. In the first semester students complete three core modules; lectures in these modules draw substantial input from a range of local experts rather than being delivered by a single professor. During that semester, the faculty responsible for the advanced second‑semester modules present their offerings, and students select which advanced modules to take via an electronic survey. Admission to advanced modules is managed to match students’ preferences and ensure a good fit.
The second semester consists of the chosen advanced modules, whose formats vary by instructor — some combine lectures and seminars, others are seminar‑only or include multiple seminars. Every advanced module includes a practical course teaching modern, relevant laboratory techniques. These practicals may be offered as a consolidated block course attended by all students in the module, or as a laboratory‑based placement chosen from multiple groups in Jena; academic staff provide counselling to help students find the lab best aligned with their interests and working style.
The third semester is focused on a project module and a specialisation module, normally carried out in the same laboratory where the Master's thesis will be performed. These modules emphasize learning the specific techniques required, planning a research project and running pilot experiments that directly prepare students for their thesis research. The fourth semester is fully devoted to the Master’s thesis, giving students the opportunity for sustained, independent scientific work under the supervision of a group leader; the completed thesis is assessed by two independent reviewers.
This master's programme requires a relevant undergraduate background and assesses applicants on more than just grades. You should either already hold, or be close to completing, a Bachelor’s degree in a closely related subject; admissions staff will then evaluate the strength of your overall application using several criteria.
Selection is competitive and takes into account academic results as well as your motivation and hands‑on experience. When preparing your application, be ready to demonstrate your academic preparation, explain your reasons for pursuing this master’s, and provide evidence of any practical laboratory or research experience that supports your suitability for the programme.
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 August 2026
Graduates leave with advanced practical laboratory skills and experience in experimental design, positioning them for research roles in academic laboratories, public research institutes, and R&D positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The strong methodological training and exposure to diverse specialisations also provide a solid foundation for pursuing doctoral studies (PhD) or specialised technical positions in proteomics, systems biology, molecular diagnostics and related fields.