PhD positions: Call for applications in 2025/2026

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen conducts fundamental research in the field of solar system physics. With its approximately 300 staff members, it is one of the leading institutes in the field of solar physics and planetary research. In particular, the institute is involved in numerous international space missions.

The International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen and at TU Braunschweig ("Solar System School") offers a research-oriented doctoral programme in Solar system science.
In the context of this IMPRS, the MPS offers PhD projects in the areas of planetary science and solar physics. Solar System School students collaborate with leading scientists in these fields and graduates are awarded a doctoral degree from the University of Göttingen or the TU Braunschweig.

The MPS invites applications for PhD Positions in Solar System Science

The Solar System School is open to students from all countries and offers an international three-year PhD program in an exceptional research environment with state-of-the-art facilities on the Göttingen Campus. 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.

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

Review of applications will be conducted on a regular schedule as announced in the timeline below. Please clearly indicate which open PhD project your are applying for, and clearly state your preferred starting date in your application. The positions are awarded on a competitive basis.

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following documents through the online application portal:

• 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 open PhD projects as advertised;
• 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 within two weeks.

It is highly recommended to also submit

• GRE Physics or GRE Chemistry subject test scores or equivalent for candidates who have obtained their Master's degree at a university outside of the European ECTS area (not applicable for geoscience).

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.
 

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, Dr. Sonja Schuh, at info@solar-system-school.de.

The career and family audit

July 06, 2021

The career and family audit (Audit berufundfamilie) is a set of criteria which employers can use to make their organisation policies family-friendly. The MPG received its first certification in 2006. The certificate is valid for all institutes in the Max Planck Society. more

This page: Call for applications 2025 for several PhD positions in solar system science © MPS

Timelines

Choose your project interests and apply via the online application portal:

Download call for applications and poster

• Call for PhD applications 2025 366.74 kB
• Solar System School Poster 2025 3.14 MB