Exploring the ‘Gut-Liver Axis’ requires the integration of different disciplines, such as mucosal immunology gastroenterology, microbiology, epithelial biology, imaging and modelling. This diversity is challenging but also offers outstanding opportunities for doctoral students to develop a highly interdisciplinary and integrative mindset and to get into touch with a vast array of techniques.

The CRC associated Graduate school ‘Gut-Liver Axis offers an interdisciplinary qualification programme that supports all doctoral candidates working on any CRC research project. The programme includes regular seminars with ‘meet the speaker sessions’ to foster discussion of research data as well as career opportunities for young scientists. A PhD club organised by the doctoral candidates to strengthen interdisciplinary discussion and social networking. Yearly retreats, soft skill courses, laboratory and – as a unique feature – clinical rotations form the basis for comprehensive and broad-based training for our doctoral students (view educational programme).

Mentoring and project supervision is ensured by a supervision team that supports the doctoral candidate throughout the thesis.

All educational activities of the graduate school are embedded within the existing structures of the Doctoral Academy (DA) of the RWTH Aachen University and the Biomedical Graduate School (BMGS), the framework structure for graduate education at the Faculty of Medicine. An overview of the structural education is given in the figure below.

Educational activities of the graduate school are also open to medical students involved in CRC projects to support active exchange of medical and natural science students and to promote careers of clinician scientists.

The graduate school ‘Gut Liver Axis’ as an integral part of CRC 1382 provides an excellent and internationally competitive research environment integrating various medical and life science disciplines and methodologies.

If you are interested in joining the graduate school you are welcome to either contact the respective PI of the CRC 1382 directly or drop an email to graduate-school@crc1382.org.