Application

Our latest submission deadline was November 2, 2020.
The application portal is now closed.

We seek students who want to earn a Ph.D. while contributing to world-leading research in areas such as:

  • Computational Cognitive Science
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Vision
  • Control Systems
  • Haptics
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Machine Learning
  • Micro- and Nano-Robotics
  • Perceptual Inference
  • Robotics

Who is eligible to apply?

People with a strong academic background and a master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Mathematics, Control Theory, Neuroscience, Materials Science, Physics, or related fields should apply.

Students already enrolled to a PhD program may only apply to IMRPS-IS within the first year of their doctoral studies.

Since we seek to increase the number of women in areas where they are underrepresented, we explicitly encourage women to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our institutions.

Do I get financial support?

Admission will be competitive. If selected, you will receive funding via an employment contract, subject to the rules of the Max Planck Society and the two participating universities.

How does the selection procedure work?

Our faculty and staff will carefully review the materials you submit. A selected group of applicants will be invited to personal interviews that will take place in Stuttgart and Tübingen. Interview travel costs will be paid by the IMPRS-IS, so interested students should apply regardless of their financial resources.

Can I indicate my research and supervision preferences when applying?

Yes, interested applicants are encouraged to identify their preferred research areas and supervisors when applying through the online application portal. 

  • IMPRS-IS faculty may serve as full or co-supervisors to IMPRS-IS scholars.
  • IMPRS-IS associated faculty are only eligible to serve as co-supervisors within IMPRS-IS. Applicants interested in working with a member of our associated faculty must also have a member of our full faculty as a co-supervisor. 

How do I apply?

To apply to the IMPRS-IS, please submit the following materials online:

  • Your personal contact information.
  • A list of the IMPRS-IS faculty you are interested in working with.
  • Your current résumé or CV, which should include your educational background, work experience, full citations for any publications you may have, details of research presentations you have given, and any awards you have received.
  • Unofficial transcripts from all of your university studies.
  • A two-page motivational letter, which: 1) explains why you want to earn a Ph.D. at the IMPRS-IS and 2) describes research areas and/or particular projects that interest you.
  • The names and email addresses for three individuals who can provide reference letters; we are particularly eager to hear from your past and current research advisors. Please ask your referees to submit their reference letters within the application deadline.
  • TOEFL scores or other evidence of English proficiency for individuals who are not native speakers (such as having studied/worked in an English speaking environment, having written a thesis/paper in English etc.)
  • Optionally, GRE scores.
  • Optionally, additional documents such as a thesis, published paper, or project portfolio.

Online Application

  • IMPRS-IS currently accepts applications to its Ph.D. program once a year.
  • The latest deadline for Ph.D. applications was November 2, 2020, at 11:59pm CET.
  • Applications submitted by the deadline will be considered for our 2021 hiring round.
  • All required applications materials, including reference letters, must be submitted by this same deadline of November 2, 2020, at 11:59pm CET.

When will I receive an answer about my application?

The reviewing process starts on November 3, 2020. All applicants will be contacted by email by January 1, 2021, with the decision about their application. Applicants who are being considered for acceptance will be invited to the IMPRS-IS interviews, which will take place from Tuesday, January 26th to Friday, January 29th, 2021. Due to COVID-19 safety regulations, interviews will be held virtually (online).

 

The application portal is now closed. It will reopen on a yet to be determined date in 2021.