The Fastepo Team has meticulously curated a comprehensive list of funded projects for Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral positions at various Max Planck Institutes across Germany. This valuable resource includes essential details such as application deadlines, institute locations, and specific requirements for each opportunity. Rest assured, this section will be consistently updated to ensure you have access to the latest information on these prestigious positions.

Max Plank Institutes

The Max Planck Institutes are a network of renowned research institutions in Germany, named after the esteemed physicist Max Planck. These institutes are at the forefront of scientific discovery across a wide range of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, and more. They are known for their commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation through cutting-edge research.

One of the notable features of Max Planck Institutes is their dedication to fostering the next generation of scientists. They offer a plethora of fully funded Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral positions with competitive salaries. More information about PhD and Postdoc salaries in Germany can be found here: Salary of a PhD student and Postdoc in Germany These opportunities enable aspiring researchers to work alongside leading experts in their respective fields, conduct groundbreaking research, and contribute to the advancement of human understanding.

In the next section of this post, we will delve into the specific details of the Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral positions available at Max Planck Institutes, highlighting the details and requirements for each.

List of available Fully funded Master and PhD Positions at the Max Planck Institutes (Max Planck PhD)

Below, you’ll discover a comprehensive list of Max Planck Master and PhD positions across various German Max Planck Institutes (Max Planck PhD). We have intentionally consolidated vacancies from different Max Planck Institutes in this post, as it is exclusively dedicated to showcasing opportunities within the Max Planck Institutes network. It’s important to mention that this post will undergo regular updates to ensure you have access to the latest opportunities.


Title: 2 PhD Positions (m/f/d) | The Evolution of Behaviour in Darwin’s Dreamponds

Location: The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

Deadline: 30.04.2024

Summary:

The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, with locations in Constance and Radolfzell, presents a globally engaging, interdisciplinary, and collaborative setting, offering unparalleled opportunities for research. They aim to achieve a quantitative and predictive comprehension of animal decisions and movements within their natural habitats. The Behavioral Evolution Research Group seeks candidates for two PhD positions titled “The evolution of behaviour in Darwin’s Dreamponds,” set to commence in September 2024. These roles, located in Constance, Germany, are fully funded for three years, with a potential extension for a fourth year. Their research delves into the evolution of behavior, employing a blend of field studies and advanced computational methods to analyze behavior across diverse environments including Lake Tanganyika, the Mediterranean Sea, coral reefs, and tropical rainforests. The PhD projects will concentrate on Lamprologine cichlids in Lake Tanganyika, aiming to quantify behavioral metrics for phylogenetic analysis and to explore the functional implications of behavior through digital reconstructions.

Requirements:

The institute is on the lookout for two PhD students, one with a focus on fieldwork and the other on computational techniques, yet both will be involved across all aspects of the project. Candidates should have experience in any of the following: SCUBA diving, tropical fieldwork, 3D rendering, quantitative data analysis, or phylogenetic analysis. These positions are open to applicants of any nationality and offer a funding period of three years, with a potential for a one-year extension. Proficiency in English is a requirement, as it is the working language of the institute, while knowledge of German is not necessary. Successful candidates will start in September 2024 and become part of the International Max Planck Research School for Quantitative Behaviour, Ecology, and Evolution (IMPRS-QBEE), collaborating closely with the University of Konstanz.

More Details and Apply.


Title: Several PhD Positions (m/f/d) | Interfacial Ionics Group

Location: The Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society

Deadline: 01.10.2024

Summary:

The Department of Interface Science at the Fritz Haber Institute, led by Prof. Beatriz Roldán Cuenya, is renowned for its pioneering research in the field of advanced functional materials, focusing on their applications in heterogeneous catalysis, energy conversion, and electrochemistry. Their work integrates novel synthesis techniques, cutting-edge experimental characterization tools, and sophisticated data analysis methods. This approach enables the exploration of atomistic details in thermal catalysis and electrochemical reactions at both gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces. A key achievement of their research is the establishment of structure-reactivity correlations within nanostructured materials, which facilitates the rational design of innovative catalytic materials.

The Interfacial Ionics group within the department is seeking several PhD candidates to participate in the ORION project, funded by an ERC Starting Grant. These positions will focus on studying ionic processes at the double layer of electrocatalyst-electrolyte interfaces, encompassing reactions such as NH3 and CH3OH oxidation, NO and CO2 reduction, and CO2 separation for capture applications. Candidates will employ fundamental electrochemistry techniques and operando spectroscopy in their research. The institute emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusivity in its team and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. The program is designed to be completed within three years, leading to a PhD degree.

Requirements:

Candidates for the PhD positions should possess:

  • A robust MSc degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
  • Preferably, experience with Python, Matlab, or Multiphysics simulations (e.g., COMSOL).
  • A proven ability to conduct experiments and address scientific and instrumental challenges with enthusiasm.
  • Proficiency in English, demonstrating excellent communication skills.

More Details and Apply.


Available Postdoctoral Positions at Max Plank Institutes

Below, you will discover a comprehensive listing of Postdoctoral projects currently open at Max Planck Institutes. This listing encompasses detailed project information and associated deadlines.


Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) | Migration and Health Inequalities

Location: The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Deadline: 28.04.2024

Summary:

The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is inviting applications for a full-time post-doctoral researcher position within the newly launched ERC-funded Research Group on Migration and Health Inequalities, led by Silvia Loi. This group aims to unite experts in Demography, Sociology, Statistics, Social Epidemiology, and Public Health to explore the critical question: Why do immigrants experience poorer health outcomes as they age compared to non-immigrants? The group’s focus is on three main research areas: analyzing disparities in healthy ageing between immigrants and non-immigrants across different demographics; identifying significant life events that diverge immigrants’ health trajectories from non-immigrants; and examining the role of family dynamics in reducing health disparities related to migration. The MPIDR offers a dynamic research environment, top-notch facilities, and a culture that fosters individual skill and competency development. As a leading demographic research institute globally, MPIDR engages in significant theoretical and policy-relevant studies across a variety of topics, including mortality, fertility, migration, aging, health, and the interplay of work and transfers throughout life. It is part of the Max Planck Society, Germany’s foremost basic-research organization.

Requirements:

Candidates should possess a PhD (or be on track to receive one in 2024) in Demography, Sociology, Epidemiology, Statistics, or a related field. They should demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas: migrant health, social determinants of health, social inequalities, and the measurement and modeling of life-course processes. The institute is looking for individuals who are innovative, self-motivated, and enjoy collaborative work, with excellent communication skills to contribute significantly to the research group’s objectives.

More Details and Apply.


If you haven’t yet found a suitable position, please consider exploring the following PhD and Postdoc opportunities in Germany detailed in the upcoming posts: