MPIIB Internship 2026: Research and Professional Training in Berlin

Overview

The Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, Germany, provides internship opportunities that offer professional training and research experience. Placements are available in infection biology research as well as science-supporting areas including administration, information technology, and communication. The institute offers several application routes depending on the applicant group, with no single vacancy process or unified deadline.

Who can apply

Bachelor’s and master’s students can apply for research internships to gain hands-on experience and deepen their study focus in infection biology. Placements in administration, IT, and communication are open to individuals whose internships are required as part of a course of study or training. School students may apply for selected communication internships, though laboratory placements are closed to school pupils for safety reasons.

Requirements

Requirements differ by applicant category. Research internship candidates must prepare a cover letter detailing their interest and expectations, a curriculum vitae, certificates and reports, proof of additional professional competencies, and references if available, formatted as PDF files under 5 MB. Science-supporting candidates must also submit a cover letter, CV, certificates, competencies, references, availability, and learning objectives as PDFs under 5 MB. School student applicants need a cover letter stating preferred dates, a CV, a copy of their latest school certificate, a supporting school letter or internship agreement, and optional work samples. Applicants coming from outside Berlin can inquire about staying in the institute’s guest house, though rooms are not guaranteed and require early reservation.

How to apply

Candidates must choose the appropriate application route based on their academic or school status and should avoid sending identical applications to every department. Research applicants must independently review the institute's research groups, find a matching team, and email their documents directly to that group at least six months prior to the intended start date. Those interested in administration, IT, or communication should email the relevant team directly at least six months in advance. School students applying for communication placements must submit their materials through the institute's application portal at least three months ahead of time.

Key dates

Applications should be submitted well in advance, with research and science-supporting candidates needing to contact the relevant team at least six months prior to the proposed start date. School students must apply at least three months in advance. Research internships typically last between one and three months.