A fully funded PhD in Germany where you work at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics and computational science — and the application window is open right now.
The Max Planck Society’s International Max Planck Research School for Living Matter (IMPRS-LM) is accepting applications for PhD positions in Dortmund and the surrounding Ruhr research ecosystem. The program explicitly advertises fully funded positions through employment contracts with full social benefits.
Overview
The IMPRS-LM brings together researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, TU Dortmund University, Ruhr University Bochum and University of Duisburg-Essen.
The programme focuses on understanding how chemical components self-organise to produce living cells, combining experimental biology with computational and quantitative approaches.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity type: Fully funded PhD program
- Host: International Max Planck Research School for Living Matter
- Main institution: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology
- Partner institutions: TU Dortmund University, Ruhr University Bochum, University of Duisburg-Essen
- Location: Dortmund / Ruhr Metropolitan Area, Germany
- Countries involved: International
- Funding status: Fully funded
- Participant cost: No mandatory program participation fee is stated; PhD positions are funded through employment contracts with full social benefits.
- Application fee: None
- Funding mechanism: Employment contract with full social benefits
- Health/social benefits: Included through employment contracts
- Stipend: Salary through employment contract
- Age requirement: Not specified
- Nationality: International applicants encouraged
- Degree requirement: Master’s degree or equivalent
- Eligible degrees: Biology, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Biophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science or related fields
- Application deadline: 1 October 2026
- Programme language: English
Research Areas
The programme covers interdisciplinary research including:
- Biochemistry
- Structural biology
- Biophysics
- Cell biology
- Chemical biology
- Synthetic biology
- Molecular biology
- Computational modelling
- Systems biology
- Quantitative biology
The research programme asks how chemical components organise themselves into dynamic living systems.
Eligibility
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent.
- A background in Biology, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Biophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science or a related discipline.
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary research.
- Ability to work in an English-speaking research environment.
Nationality
The program is international and explicitly encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. No specific nationality restriction is stated on the official announcement.
Financial Support
The official Max Planck source states that successful PhD candidates receive:
- Fully funded PhD positions
- Employment contracts
- Full social benefits
- Mentorship
- Access to advanced research facilities
- Advanced workshops
- Transferable-skills training
- Career-development activities
- English-speaking research environment
Application Process
- Review the current research groups recruiting students.
- Check the programme requirements.
- Identify research interests aligned with available positions.
- Prepare the required application materials.
- Submit through the IMPRS-LM online application system.
- Complete the selection process.
- Successful candidates receive a funded PhD position through an employment contract.
The dedicated IMPRS-LM application page states that applications for the current recruitment round are submitted online, with the deadline of 1 October 2026.
Important Notes
- This is a PhD employment-based funding model, not simply an unpaid doctoral admission.
- The official Max Planck announcement explicitly calls the positions fully funded.
- The program is highly interdisciplinary.
- Applicants can come from several academic backgrounds, including computer science and physics—not only biology.
- Exact salary and other project-specific conditions should be checked for the individual position.
Official Application Link
Max Planck Institute — IMPRS for Living Matter PhD Positions
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