The time as graduate student, PhD candidate and postdoctoral fellow are key experiences in the development of a young scientist. In the past in Germany the first graduation used to be after 5-6 years with the "Diplom", which includes a research study of approximately 6-12 months at the university. Presently some universities introduce Bachelor- and Master degrees.

For their PhD studies students tend to seek a new challenge at a different university or one of the research organisations like the Max Planck Society. The Max Planck Society does not have the legal right to offer PhD degrees, but her scientists cooperate closely with colleagues at universities in Germany and abroad.

Every year some 20 students work in our laboratories on their doctoral thesis, and a further 15 stay as postdocs to acquire specialized traing. Quite a number of our doctoral students from abroad perform the experimental part of their thesis work at the Institute, but get their degree from the home university.