Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Offered By: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Onsite | Full-Time | 5 years
About the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Program
Through a departmental core curriculum as well as research area-specific courses, laboratory rotations, qualifying examinations, mentored research, and professional development, all MMI PhD students are prepared to engage in cutting edge research and scholarship that advances knowledge.
MMI PhD students hone their scholarship, research and professional skills. Course and laboratory work can address problems in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, disease transmission, and diseases related to malaria, mosquito and arboviral biology.
Students can choose to complete the traditional MMI PhD program or the MMI PhD program concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R3IM).
The concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R3IM) conveys a broad background in immunology and infectious diseases research, with a special emphasis on critical thinking, logic, ethics, and written and oral skills to help graduates become communicators of complex scientific concepts and agents of change in their workplaces and communities.
What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Molecular Microbiology And Immunology?
Sample Careers
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate
- Science Communicator or Writer
- Scientist (academia, industry)
- Specialist in Science Regulatory Affairs
- Faculty, Professor
- Science Advocate (nonprofit agencies)
- Public Health Service (NIH, CDC, FDA)
- Science Policy Fellow
Curriculum for the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory.
Current students can view the MMI student handbook on the MMI portal site.
Topic Areas
MMI faculty are recognized experts in a wide variety of infectious diseases research areas, allowing our PhD students to study the biology of disease based on their research interests and career goals. Our PhD students gain a comprehensive understanding of infectious diseases that provides a foundation to launch careers that directly tackle critical public health challenges.
Topic Areas include:
- Bacterial pathogenesis
- Cell biology
- Fungal pathogenesis
- Immunology
- Malaria
- Medical entomology/Disease ecology
- Parasite pathogenesis
- Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice
- Tick-borne diseases
- Vaccine development
- Vector biology
- Viral pathogenesis
Admissions Requirements
For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.
Standardized Test Scores
Standardized test scores (GRE) are optional for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.
Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars
The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2023. VTSI applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver, but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2023 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.
Tuition and Funding
All full-time PhD students will receive the following support for all years of the program: stipend, full tuition, individual health insurance, University Health Services clinic fee, vision insurance, and dental insurance.
Need-Based Relocation Grants
Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students.
Contact Us
Questions about the program? We're happy to help.
Alex Kim, Senior Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 North Wolfe Street, Room E5014
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Fax: (410) 955-0105