Overview
The International Max Planck Research School for Functional Material Design is accepting applications for doctoral research projects in Potsdam and collaborating Berlin/Potsdam institutions. The interdisciplinary program focuses on sustainable, nature-inspired functional materials across physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and materials science.
Complete research opportunity details
Applicants first choose a specific project from the IMPRS-FMD project list and submit a project-specific application. The doctoral period is four years and every doctoral student is employed with a four-year work contract. The program also provides a welcome service to help incoming doctoral researchers with housing and other practical matters.
Eligibility requirements
Requirements vary by project. The general application asks for a motivation letter, CV, list of university degrees/courses/projects, a summary of the MSc thesis or equivalent work, a copy of the MSc degree certificate, and contact information for at least one MSc supervisor. Applicants should check the required background on their selected project page.
Tips for this phd opportunity
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Match your research background to the project, laboratory, supervisor and required methods rather than applying only from the title.
- Prepare a focused academic CV, transcripts, publications and research statement or proposal when requested by the official call.
- Confirm funding duration, stipend/salary, tuition coverage, start date and eligibility for international applicants.
- Contact a supervisor before applying only when the official instructions recommend or require it.
Verification notes
Verified on the official IMPRS-FMD application and project pages and the Max Planck Institute announcement. The application page states a 15 September 2026 deadline and four-year employment contracts; no single global salary figure is published for the doctoral projects.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
IMPRS for Functional Material Design / Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces ↗