International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) PhD Positions

The International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) are structured PhD programs run by Max Planck Institutes together with German universities, and they are one of the most reliable fully funded doctoral routes in Europe. Every admitted student receives a funding contract or salary at German public-sector levels, and there are no tuition fees.

Around 60 schools cover practically every field, from astrophysics, computer science and quantum optics to molecular biology, law and human development, all taught in English. Each school runs its own admission call, with most deadlines falling between October and January, so applications are effectively open somewhere all year round.

• Master's degree (or equivalent, and in some schools an excellent four-year bachelor's) in a field matching the chosen research school, completed before the programme starts.
• There are dozens of IMPRS across Germany, each a partnership between Max Planck institutes and universities, covering fields from astrophysics, neuroscience and molecular biology to computer science, economics and law.
• Open to applicants of all nationalities; English is the working language of the schools, so proof of English is normally required, and German is not.
• Strong grades and research experience appropriate to the field; many schools ask for a research statement tailored to their groups.
• Each school runs its own selection with its own deadline, often once or twice a year with main calls in autumn and winter.
• Letters of reference (usually two) are standard across schools.
• Check the individual IMPRS page for exact requirements, as details differ between schools.

• Full funding for the whole PhD through a funding contract or employment contract, at levels that comfortably cover living costs in Germany.
• Doctorate awarded by a partner German university while you research at a Max Planck institute, one of the world's leading research organizations.
• Structured training: courses, retreats, soft-skills workshops and a thesis advisory committee rather than a single supervisor.
• Excellent facilities and generous research budgets typical of the Max Planck system.
• Strong career outcomes in academia and industry, supported by the Max Planck alumni network.
• No tuition fees, and relocation and visa support are provided by the host institute.

• Online application through the chosen school's own portal (each IMPRS has its own system).
• Curriculum vitae and academic transcripts for all degrees.
• Motivation letter or research statement referring to the school's groups and topics.
• Contact details or letters from usually two academic referees.
• Proof of English proficiency where requested (many schools accept evidence of English-medium education).
• Degree certificates, with translations where documents are not in English or German.

• Browse the full list of International Max Planck Research Schools on the Max Planck Society website (mpg.de) and shortlist the schools that match your field.
• Open each shortlisted school's website and note its next call and deadline; many main calls close between November and January for the following autumn, but dates vary by school.
• Prepare a focused application naming the groups you want to work with, and line up your referees early.
• Submit through the school's own portal before its deadline; there is no central application.
• Shortlisted candidates are usually invited to online or on-site interviews and selection days.
• If your preferred school's call has closed, check again later in the year, as several schools recruit continuously or twice per year.