Application

We seek students who want to earn a doctorate 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.

Existing PhD students can apply to IMRPS-IS only within the first year of their doctoral studies.

We seek to increase the number of women in areas where they are underrepresented, so 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 that 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.

How do I apply?

Application to the IMPRS-IS involves online submission of the following materials:

• Your personal contact information.
• A list of the IMPRS-IS faculty with whom you are interested in working.
• Your current résumé or CV that gives your educational background, work experience, full citations for any publications you may have, any research presentations you have given, and any awards you have received.
• Unofficial transcripts from all of your university studies.
• A two-page motivational letter wherein you 1) explain why you want to earn a Ph.D. at the IMPRS-IS and 2) describe 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 PhD program once a year
• The next deadline for PhD applications is November 2, 2020, at 11:59pm CET in order to start your PhD in 2020. Reference letters must also be submitted by this same deadline of November 2, 2020, at 11:59pm CET.
• A link to the Application Portal will be published on July 20, 2020 (below)

When will I receive an answer about my application?

The reviewing process starts on November 2, 2020. All applicants will be contacted by email by January 1, 2021, with the decision about their application. Finalists (applicants who are being considered for acceptance) will be invited to the IMPRS-IS interviews, which will take place in Germany (Tübingen and Stuttgart) towards the end of January 2021, the exact dates will be announced as soon as available.