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 2026 is November 1, 2025.
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
Compensation Type
Salary
Currency
365
Compensation Range
$25USD to $27USD
Included Benefits
- Medical insurance (including basic dental insurance) is covered by the position.
- Child allowance, if applicable
- Household allowance, if applicable
- Reimbursement of moving cost (to a certain amount)
- Access to free German language classes
- Support in all administrative matters such as visa, housing etc.
Compensation Notes
The above mentioned annual salary amounts are net pay.
Pay and benefits vary between the four participating institutes. Students earn about 2.000 – 2.300 EUR per month net (about 2.350 -2.700 USD), depending on the affiliated instiute, year of study, and martial / family status.
The exact details can be found on our website: www.imprs-astro.mpg.de
Application Details
Application Instructions
We will only accept applications via our application platform, which will reopen for this call in August 2025.
Application deadline is November 1, 2025 for the program starting in September 2026.
In the application form, you must provide the contact details of 1-3 referee(s), who will upload a reference letter in the applicant portal. The deadline for submitting the letters is also November 1, 2025.
Prerequisite for application is a Master’s degree in physics, astrophysics, astronomy or a comparable subject with a final grade of very good to good.
Very outsanding students can apply for the fast-track PhD with an excellent Bachelors degree.
You can find more information on the admission requirements on our website under “Application” – “Who qualifies”
Please find here full details.