Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC)

The “Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC)” at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena is not only an Excellence Graduate School, but also a lively network of scientists from a broad variety of natural & life sciences institutes and an umbrella organization for three Research Training Groups in Jena. The JSMC was first awarded funding within theGerman Excellence Initiative in 2007. In June 2012 the Excellence Status of the JSMC was confirmed and funding for an additional five years was granted to the Graduate School.

Today, JSMC hosts a total of about 150 doctoral researchers. Their research projects are situated at the numerous institutes that make up the JSMC network, including institutes and clinics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena as well as non-university research institutions.

A broad choice of courses is offered within the JSMC PhD training program. This includes courses on experimental and analytical methods, many of which are organized by the JSMC faculty members. These courses ensure easy access to the state-of-the-art research facilities at the JSMC member institutes. Furthermore, courses in "transferrable skills" (e.g. scientific writing; presentation/networking skills…) are offered to the JSMC doctoral researchers in collaboration with the Jena Graduate Academy (GA)and other partners.

The aim of the JSMC training concept is to provide young researchers with a sound basis for a career in either academia or industry. Therefore, twelve local industry partnersfurther contribute to the JSMC PhD training program with workshops, seminars and internships.

With their research projects situated at the interfaces between research disciplines, and their facilitated access to all member institutes, the JSMC doctoral researchers contribute significantly to strengthening the JSMC network. Exchange between all scientists at JSMC is promoted through numerous joint scientific events.

In the past years, the JSMC doctoral researchers have established a highly active doctoral researcher community in Jena. Many scientific and social events at JSMC are organized by the doctoral researchers themselves. It is part of the JSMC spirit that the doctoral researchers actively participate in designing their training program and in promoting the future development of the Graduate School. An outstanding example of a JSMC doctoral researcher initiative is the “International Conference on Microbial Communication (MiCom)”, which is organized annually by the doctoral researchers and attracts young researchers from all arond the world.