Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's MemBioMed (From Membrane Biology to Neuroscience and Experimental Medicine) Osnabrück University

The International MemBioMed Master’s programme in “From Membrane Biology to Neuroscience and Experimental Medicine” is a high-quality, fully integrated degree emphasising multidisciplinary research on biomembranes. The two-year programme is a collaboration between three prestigious universities: Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA, France), University of Genoa (UniGe, Italy), and University of Osnabrück (UOS, Germany). The complementary strengths of these institutions—spanning teaching expertise, academic resources, cutting-edge research centres, and advanced technological platforms—ensure comprehensive and dynamic training in membrane biology. The curriculum integrates the latest scientific advancements in biomembranes, offering students engaging research opportunities through collaborative projects and partnerships with industry. It includes hands-on internships to develop practical expertise and interdisciplinary skills as well as workshops and thematic schools addressing emerging technologies and key challenges in the field. The first semester at UniCA (Nice) will provide the students with the foundation on the structure and function of biological membranes. The second semester at UniGe (Genoa) will focus on a comprehensive understanding of biomembrane-related pathologies and neurological functions. The third semester at UOS (Osnabrück) will focus on preparing the students for their Master's theses by providing methodological specialisation in cellular nanoanalytics to interrogate molecular processes in or at biomembranes with the highest spatial and temporal resolution. In the fourth semester, students will work exclusively on their Master's projects and write their Master's theses in one of the partner institutions' research laboratories or industrial-associated structures.

To complement the traditional theoretical and practical modules, and to ensure smooth transitions between the three universities, orientation events such as an integration week and a summer school have been included in the academic programme. These activities have been designed to enrich the traditional modules with a fuller range of notions and techniques to better apprehend biomembrane-related projects in both fundamental and applied research contexts, for networking with relevant scientific communities from academia and industry, and to provide soft skills that help the students to succeed in more competitive and diversified working environments. 

MemBioMed’s overall aim is to provide its trainees with a comprehensive education that will significantly enhance their career perspectives in the academic or private sector by enabling them to meet future challenges in a variety of specialised fields, from drug development and nanomedicine to membrane engineering and neurophysiology.

Programme & mobility structure:

• First semester: foundation on the structure and function of biological membranes (Université Côte d’Azur, France)
• Second semester: biomembrane-related pathologies and neurological functions (University of Genoa, Italy)
• Third semester: methodological specialisation in the field of cellular nanoanalytics (Osnabrück University, Germany)
• Fourth semester: Master's thesis in one of the partner institutions' research laboratories or one of the associated industrial partners

For the two-year Master of Science (MSc) programme, 120 ECTS points are awarded. The programme is held in English.

Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA, France), University of Genoa (UniGe, Italy)

Each student shall complete a lab rotation at UniCA in Nice (semester one), a lab rotation at UniGe in Genoa (semester two), a research project at UOS in Osnabrück (semester three), and a Master's thesis project at a partner institute of choice (semester four).  

Application deadline will be announced in November 2026 on MemBioMed's website: https://life.univ-cotedazur.eu/international/membiomed

For application to the Erasmus Mundus MemBioMed programme, you must hand in the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (preferred format: Europass)
• A cover letter (max. 1000 words) demonstrating the consistency between the Programme’s objectives and the applicant’s motivation, academic/professional background and professional project
• A scan of passport (a scan of the national ID will be accepted if the applicant does not have a passport at the time of application) – All applicants must comply with visa requirements in the countries they intend to sojourn in.
• Copies of certificate(s)/degree(s)/diploma(s) along with translation in English must be presented. If the requested diploma has not yet been delivered, then an official letter from the awarding Institution will be needed.
• A scan of an official first-cycle degree diploma or other eligible diploma in Life Sciences must be submitted, recognised by the EU as a first or second-cycle degree equivalent to at least 180 ECTS credits. If the applicant has not completed the first-cycle degree at the time of application, she/he must send available transcripts, proof of current enrolment, and a declaration of the end date. Applications from students in the last year of Bachelor's or equivalent study programmes will be accepted conditionally, and the completion of the Bachelor of Life and Health Sciences prerequisite must be met at the time of administrative enrolment.
• The exact course list of the Bachelor's diploma with a description of the classes and the respective grades (certified translation to English) must be submitted.
• Two recommendation letters: The candidate must request the reference letter to be sent from the referee’s professional e-mail to the MemBioMed programme (clemence.benoit@univ-cotedazur.fr) with the subject line "reference letter + name of the candidate".
• Evidence of English proficiency: see requirements section for full list of documents: https://life.univ-cotedazur.eu/international/membiomed/how-to-apply#requirements

Each semester, students are required to pay approx. 350 EUR as a semester fee (including free use of regional public transport services).

In order to cover personal expenses during the study programme, we recommend that students budget at least 860 EUR per month for accommodation, living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Students who have completed their Bachelor's studies may be employed as student assistants.

The international office has staff dedicated to support students in their final phase of studies with regards to job finding, etc.

The accommodation office of the student services ("Studentenwerk") offers modern single rooms in dormitories and helps students find private rooms and flats. The rooms must be rented for at least half a year. The cost of a single room in a student dormitory is approx. 180 to 350 EUR per month.