Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (Göttingen)
All mandatory courses in the curriculum are offered in English, and all examinations required can be performed in English. Additional optional courses are held in English (90%) or German (10%). The teaching module can be done in English or German. The PhD thesis should normally be written in English, but can also be written in German upon request.
1 November
Please plan ahead for any admission tests that you may be required to take, such as an English language test or a GRE subject test in physics.
Applications for the PhD programme in Solar System Science should preferentially be submitted in response to the IMPRS call for applications, issued once per year. Calls are usually announced in summer, and review of applications begins on 1 November for a starting date in September of the following year.
Applications may be submitted through the online application portal starting from 1 September each year. Starting from 1 May each year, you may already create an account for your online application for the upcoming call. You will then be notified via e-mail about any updates with respect to the upcoming call.
Applications must be submitted by 1 November, and two reference letters must have been received by 10 November.
Under exceptional circumstances, off-cycle applications may also be considered at other times throughout the year.
The PhD programme is research-oriented and covers the full range of solar system science from geophysics and planetary science to solar and stellar physics including helioseismology and asteroseismology, as well as the underlying fundamental physics. Click here to read more.
The science programme is complemented by a training programme in computational physics, data analysis techniques, space technology, project management, scientific writing, and presentation and other skills. Space missions and ground-based instruments, data analysis as well as theoretical and numerical modelling provide excellent research opportunities for PhD students. Solar system science research subjects include small bodies in the solar system such as comets and asteroids, the interiors, surfaces, atmospheres and magnetospheres of the various planets, the interior of the sun and sun-like stars through helio- and asteroseismology, the sun's atmosphere from the photosphere to the corona, and solar wind and the heliosphere. Sun-Earth relations, extrasolar planetary systems and sun-like stars are also studied. Methods of research include instrumentation, observation, data analysis and theoretical modelling.
The PhD programme is structured. Work on the thesis research project is complemented by a curriculum tailored to the needs of junior researchers.
The building blocks of the curriculum are research on the PhD topic with guidance from a thesis advisory committee, student seminars and institute colloquia, scientific communication, regular semester lectures, training in teaching, professional qualification courses, and an annual retreat. The course programme includes a high-level review lecture on solar system science during the first two semesters and a choice of more advanced lectures on specialised research topics. PhD projects are supervised by senior scientists and a thesis advisory committee including a university professor.
The participating institutes on the Göttingen campus provide state-of-the-art laboratories and computing facilities.
PDF DownloadParticipation in summer schools, international conferences, and workshops is highly encouraged and financially supported.
Training in teaching is a mandatory part of the curriculum at the University of Göttingen.
Fees are around 380 EUR per semester. The fees include a prepaid semester ticket that entitles students to use regional trains (in Lower Saxony and Bremen) and city buses in Göttingen free of charge. Students of the University of Göttingen receive discounts for cultural events. Meals and drinks are also available at reduced prices at all university canteens.
Fees: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/fee
Semester ticket: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/16432.html
The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 800 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age. Living expenses might be slightly higher. For further information, please see the following link: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/54664.html
PhD students in the programme are typically employed on a work contract, with remuneration at a level adequate to fully cover the costs of living. Please navigate to "Services" for details!
Academic admission requirements include a Master of Science (or equivalent) degree in physics or a related field, including a written Master's thesis or a first-author peer-reviewed scientific publication. Positions are awarded on a competitive basis.
Documented proficiency in English is required.
1 November
Please plan ahead for any admission tests that you may be required to take, such as an English language test or a GRE subject test in physics.
Applications for the PhD programme in Solar System Science should preferentially be submitted in response to the IMPRS call for applications, issued once per year. Calls are usually announced in summer, and review of applications begins on 1 November for a starting date in September of the following year.
Applications may be submitted through the online application portal starting from 1 September each year. Starting from 1 May each year, you may already create an account for your online application for the upcoming call. You will then be notified via e-mail about any updates with respect to the upcoming call.
Applications must be submitted by 1 November, and two reference letters must have been received by 10 November.
Under exceptional circumstances, off-cycle applications may also be considered at other times throughout the year.
Information and instructions: https://www.mps.mpg.de/phd/application
Latest call for applications: https://www.mps.mpg.de/phd/applynow
Online application portal: https://www.application.mps.mpg.de/public/
Fully funded PhD position: three-year doctoral support contract
The IMPRS offers fair and attractive funding. Doctoral candidates are usually employed on a doctoral support contract. Depending on the type of project work the PhD candidate is pursuing, and depending on the institution or funding agency financing their project, they may alternatively be employed on a "TVöD" contract (public salary scheme). IMPRS-funded students normally receive three-year doctoral support contracts. The monthly salary for a fully-funded PhD position in the IMPRS for Solar System Science is on average 1,800 EUR (after deductions).
Positions are awarded on a competitive basis.
Please also see the information about scholarships as an alternative option for PhD Student Funding.
Doctoral candidates, especially those in fully financed programmes, are not eligible for housing in student accommodation (student residence halls), but the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research provides temporary accommodation upon arrival and offers help in finding accommodation on the private market.
University of Göttingen – Committed to Excellence
Founded in 1737, the University of Göttingen is a research-driven university of high international standing. It is renowned for its diverse range of academic disciplines, research-oriented teaching, and outstanding scientific environment in which more than 40 Nobel laureates have studied, taught, or pursued their research. Currently, 29,000 students are enrolled at the University of Göttingen, 14 percent of whom are international students.
Variety of study programmes
The University of Göttingen offers a vast variety of academic programmes for undergraduate and graduate studies. Internationally renowned expert researchers teach in more than 40 academic disciplines. More than 40 full-time undergraduate and graduate programmes are taught entirely in English. Two international fast-track MSc/PhD programmes prepare students for unique careers in scientific research. Additionally, a growing number of double degree programmes with prestigious international universities are available.
Guidance, supervision, and study conditions
Students are given comprehensive advisory and supervisory support in all phases of their studies. Since advice and guidance are crucially important for the successful outcome of a university career, the University of Göttingen is constantly improving and extending its performance in this area.
Excellent library
The Göttingen State and University Library (SUB) maintains a top position among German academic libraries, with a holding of over nine million books, journals and other media and offering a broad range of services for study and research. The library plays a leading role in a large number of national and international projects involving the optimisation of literature and information provision as well as the establishment and development of digital research and information infrastructures.
Alumni worldwide
As a member of the alumni network, you will continue to be part of the international "University of Göttingen Family" even after you have finished your studies. The Alumni Office currently connects more than 40,000 alumni from all over the world and provides them with current information and ongoing projects at the university and in the city of Göttingen. In addition, the alumni association offers various events and services for students and alumni related to careers and networking.
Göttingen – a good place to live and study
Göttingen, with a population of approximately 130,000, is a city where tradition and innovation complement one another perfectly. The excellently preserved timber-framed houses in the historic quarter and the University of Göttingen with its more than 29,000 students create a lively atmosphere that would be hard to find elsewhere.
The university departments and buildings are mainly located on two campuses and are within easy walking or cycling distance from each other. Accommodation for 5,000 students and excellent canteens run by the student services organisation ("Studentenwerk") allow for a high quality of life at a low cost.
The university cooperates closely with non-university research institutes in Göttingen. Together, they form the "Göttingen Campus" – an alliance of cutting-edge research institutes. This includes four Max Planck Institutes and the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities as well as the German Primate Center and the German Aerospace Center. The Göttingen Campus has created an environment of openness in which students at all levels (Bachelor's, Master's or PhD) as well as experienced researchers can develop fresh and innovative ideas. Numerous scientists and scholars from the non-university research institutes lecture at the university, and joint professorial appointments create bridges between the university and campus partners. This structure supports the reputation of the University of Göttingen as one of the most successful research-oriented universities in Germany.
Situated in the geographical centre of Germany and Europe, Göttingen has excellent travel connections: Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt are only a two-hour train ride away. But you don't have to go that far to take a break; Göttingen itself offers many options for recreational activities. The city boasts three theatres and a symphony orchestra. Many cinemas, cafés, and pubs provide numerous opportunities to meet like-minded people and enjoy yourself. Alternatively, you can play an active role in the student union, which sponsors many cultural and recreational events. Last but not least, the city and the university offer a variety of activities for sports enthusiasts. The "Hochschulsport Göttingen" (University Sports Centre) is one of the biggest in Germany and offers a wide range of disciplines and gyms for members of the Göttingen Campus. More than 150 different sports with an indoor pool, climbing centre, fitness studio, and several outdoor sports fields are offered at an extremely reasonable price.
