The "International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Cosmic Physics at the University of Heidelberg" (IMPRS-HD) invites applications for its PhD program. The school aims to offer outstanding research and training opportunities with excellent instrumental, observational, and theoretical research facilities at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, the Landessternwarte Koenigstuhl, the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, and the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies. Application deadline: November 1st 2025.
Main research topics carried out at these institutions are planet and star formation; exoplanets and substellar objects; astrometry; formation, evolution and dynamics of galaxies and supermassive black holes; gravitational lensing; cosmology and structure formation; high energy astrophysics; and state-of-the-art instrumentation for astronomy and astroparticle physics.
The IMPRS-HD is an independent part of the Heidelberg Graduate School for Physics.
Several fellowships are available with 1600-1800 Euro monthly average net income.
Interested students are invited to apply by November 1, 2025, for the academic year starting in September 2026.
An earlier start of the thesis research is possible.
Applicants must have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics/Astronomy including a corresponding thesis and a very good physics background. Applicants with a 4-yr degree in physics may be accepted conditionally.
Further details on IMPRS-HD and the application process can be found at http://www.imprs-hd.mpg.de/.
IMPRS Office
Email: imprs-hd-application@mpia.de