The doctoral program "Microbiology and Biochemistry" is a member of the Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB). The graduate school offers a joint modular training program to which the twelve doctoral programs of GGNB contribute and that is open to all GGNB students. In addition to a lecture and seminar program, training consists of (1) individual counselling by thesis committees, (2) intensive methods courses of 1-3 weeks in special training labs, (3) 2-3-day methods courses in the laboratories of the participating faculty, (4) professional skills courses such as scientific writing, presentation skills, intercultural communication, project management, team-leadership skills, conflict resolution, ethics, and career development, and (5) student-organized scientific meetings, industry excursions, and intercultural events. Students are able to tailor their individual curriculum by choosing from a large number of courses and events.

The Microbiology and Biochemistry program provides training aimed at achieving a comparative understanding of microorganisms work at a molecular level and how they contribute to interactions in their natural environments; a critical sense of how to apply comprehensive genomic analysis tools, and an ability to set up and test conceptual models for molecular functions.

The program contributes to GGNB training with seminars and methods courses which assist the students in the analysis of genomes, transcription signatures, large scale protein identification, and microscopy.

Experimental research constitutes the major component of the doctoral studies and is conducted in the laboratory of a faculty member of the doctoral program. Doctoral research projects are complemented by a school-wide training program, offered to all GGNB students, who are members of a vibrant international research community. The language of the doctoral program is English.