The International Max Planck Research School of Marine Microbiology (MarMic) is an English-language, research-led graduate program that offers both MSc and PhD pathways for highly qualified and motivated national and international students. MarMic is delivered through a collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, the University of Bremen, the Alfred Wegener Institute (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research), and Constructor University. The program is based in Bremen, Germany, and brings together expertise from these institutions to provide a coordinated graduate training experience.
MarMic trains the next generation of marine microbiologists by equipping students with the conceptual and practical tools needed to investigate microbial life and its impacts on the biosphere. Students learn to approach problems at multiple scales, selecting between holistic (ecosystem-level) and reductionist (molecular or cellular) strategies as appropriate. Coursework and hands-on research cover a wide spectrum of topics—from biogeochemistry and genomic analyses to single-cell interactions and the behavior of microbes in mixed communities—so graduates gain both theoretical grounding and practical laboratory/field experience.
Graduates leave MarMic with interdisciplinary skills that are in demand across academic and applied settings. The program’s emphasis on global perspectives, rigorous methodology, and cross-institutional collaboration prepares students for careers in international research teams, academic institutions, research institutes, and industry.
Requirements / key facts
The programme combines a variety of teaching formats to build both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise. You will follow lectures and tutorials to establish and deepen core concepts in marine microbiology, supported by seminars that expose you to current research and foster critical discussion. All classes are taught in English, making the course accessible to international students.
Hands-on training is a major component: practical courses and laboratory rotations let you gain direct experience with experimental techniques, laboratory workflows and methodological problem-solving across different research settings. Soft-skills training is integrated into the curriculum to strengthen scientific communication, teamwork, project planning and other transferable competencies that are important for careers in academia, industry or policy.
You must hold an undergraduate degree to be eligible for this Master’s program. Specifically, applicants need a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or an internationally recognized equivalent qualification. The program evaluates equivalency and specific subject relevance on a case-by-case basis, so applicants with degrees earned outside Germany should check whether their qualification meets the programme’s requirements.
International applicants should review the programme’s “Who can apply” page for full details on acceptable degrees, subject background expectations, and any documents needed to demonstrate equivalency. If you are unsure whether your degree qualifies, contact the admissions office well in advance of the application deadline for guidance.
Winter Semester (International)
28 February 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
28 February 2026
Graduates are well prepared for research careers in academia and research institutes, including continuation to doctoral study within the programme’s PhD track. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory experience also equips alumni for roles in industry, environmental monitoring, biotechnology and international research consortia.
Because the degree emphasizes interdisciplinary methods and scientific communication, graduates are attractive candidates for international research teams, university positions, specialised laboratories and science-related positions in the public and private sectors.