PhD Positions in Solar System Science in Göttingen, Germany

Applicants to the Solar System School should have a keen interest in Solar system science and a record of academic excellence. They must have, or must be about to obtain, an M.Sc. degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, geosciences or a related field, including a written Masters thesis, and must document a good command of the English language.

Review of applications will begin on 1 October 2024

Review of applications for a starting date of October 2025 will begin on 1 October 2024, but other starting times are also negotiable. The positions are awarded on a competitive basis.

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following documents through the online application portal between 1 August and 1 October 2024:

• an application form to be filled online, including two short texts describing the applicant's scientific interests and their motivation to apply for PhD projects in the Solar System School, along with the applicant's choice of up to three PhD projects;
• a curriculum vitae in pdf format;
• degree certificates and full transcripts of all academic records: i.e. scanned copies of B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree certificates (or equivalent), and lists of all courses with credits and grades issued by the respective school or university, with English or German translations;
• certificate to prove proficiency in the English language, for candidates whose most recent academic education has not been in English or German for at least two years (e.g. transcript of TOEFL / IELTS scores or equivalent);
• contact details for two or three academic referees who have been contacted by the applicant and who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. The referees will subsequently be contacted by the School and will be asked to submit their letters through the online portal no later than 10 October 2024.

It is highly recommended to also submit

• GRE Physics or GRE Chemistry test scores or equivalent for candidates who have obtained their Master's degree at a university outside of the European ECTS area.

Doctoral support contracts: https://www.mps.mpg.de/phd/funding

Successful applicants will be offered a 3,5-year doctoral support contract with remuneration dependent on TVöD (75% E13) according to the German public salary scale, as well as postdoc wrap-up funding.

The language of the structured graduate program is English, with complimentary German language courses offered (optional). The program includes an inspiring curriculum of scientific lectures and seminars as well as advanced training workshops and provides relocation costs and travel funds to attend international conferences.

FAQ for IMPRS applicants: https://www.mps.mpg.de/phd/faq

• 2024 May 1: Online registration 2023 opens
• 2024 Aug 1: Application submission opens
• 2024 Oct 1: Application deadline
• 2024 Oct 10: Recommendation letters due
• 2024 Nov/Dec: Online prescreening interviews
• 2024 Dec: Invitation letters for Interview and Information Week
• 2025 Feb/Mar: IMPRS Interview and Information Week 2024
• 2025 May 1: Notification of all applicants
• 2025 Sep/Oct: Start of new academic year

To apply, please register then login at the Online application portal. For further information, please browse the answers to Frequently Asked Questions and direct any further inquiries to the IMPRS scientific coordinator.

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of individuals of underrepresented genders and therefore explicitly encourages individuals of underrepresented genders to apply.

The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more individuals with severe disabilities. Applications from individuals with severe disabilities are explicitely encouraged.

The career and family audit: https://www.mps.mpg.de/equal-opportunities/career-and-family-audit

The career and family audit (Audit berufundfamilie) is a set of criteria which employers can use to make their organisation policies family-friendly. The audit comprises of a review of the  family-friendly measures taken and helps the organisation to define and implement family-friendly initiatives. To keep these standards up, annual reports have to be sent to the berufundfamilie Service GmbH. The certificate is valid for all institutes in the Max Planck Society.

The MPG received its first certification in 2006. The audit is done every three years. The Max Planck Society was awarded the audit certificate by the berufundfamilie Service GmbH and the non-profit-making Hertie Foundation  for the sixth consecutive time (after 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2021). This award is placed under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.