PhD in Astronomy / Astrophysics
Job Summary
Garching near Munich
Germany
Job Description
Call for applications / fully funded PhD grants for successful applicants
You want to boost your career in Astrophysics? Then do your PhD in one of the largest centers for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Europe and work with the leading scientists in the field to accelerate your scientific career!
The International Max Planck Research School on Astrophysics at the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (IMPRS on Astrophysics) is soliciting applications for its PhD program. Located in the beautiful Munich-Garching area in southern Bavaria (Germany), the school offers a unique environment for graduate students due to the presence of four internationally renowned institutes which form the school:
- The Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE)
- The Observatory of the University of Munich (LMU/USM)
- The Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA)
- The European Southern Observatory (ESO)
IMPRS offers a highly competitive PhD program, including lectures, seminars and a research project supervised by leading scientists at one of the participating institutions.
Course language is English. Students have access to the world largest ground- and spaced-based observatories and instrumentation operated by the participating institutes as well as to supercomputers for advanced numerical simulations and theoretical studies.
Applications for the PhD-program are open to students from all countries. Successful applicants will get a work contract / fellowship with a monthly income that covers the living costs. We will assist our students with all administrative matters for a smooth on-boarding. This means "Concentrate on your research -- we do the rest!"
For more details see: https://www.imprs-astro.mpg.de/
The closing date for applications for the program starting in September 2025 is November 1, 2024. If for any reason you have difficulty meeting the deadline, please inform us in advance and we will extend it upon request.
Compensation and Benefits
Living costs are covered by the work contract or the fellowship. Students earn about 1.900 EUR per month net income, depending on martial / family status. A basic German health insurance is inlcuded.
Access to free German language classes.
Support in all administrative matters such as visa, housing etc.
The compensation amounts are net pay. More detailed info on our website at
https://www.imprs-astro.mpg.de/content/fellowships-and-work-contracts.html
Application Details
A complete application must include the following documents:
- A fully filled-in online application form, including a list of all courses and credits/grades.
- Your curriculum vitae as PDF file in the upload area of the application form.
- Up to three letters of recommendation uploaded by your referees. For more information follow the instructions of the online application form. The recommendation letter deadline is November 1st too.
- Copies of all academic certificates/transcripts including M.Sc., B.Sc., etc. as one PDF file in the upload area of the application form (originals must be presented, if you are selected for a position).
- A copy of your M.Sc. thesis (with English abstract if the thesis is not written in English) or preliminary Master's thesis abstract as PDF file in the upload area.
- A proof of English language ability (when applicable*) (e.g. transcript of TOEFL / IELTS scores or equivalent; our TOEFL Institution and Department Code is 8223). For TOEFL, there is the recommended IbT of at least 94 points, for IELTS a recommended score of at least 7 points.
*If your native language is Englisch or if your university education including your Master thesis has been already in English you do not need to provide an English proficiency test.
Selection & Admission
Selection of students for admission will be achieved by a selection procedure that may include invitations to interviews in Munich. The student selection workshop and the interviews for students who applied in 2024 are scheduled to take place February 10-12, 2025