Welcome to the application platform of the International Max Planck Research School on Astrophysics at the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich - IMPRS on Astrophysics!
If you would like to boost your career and to do your PhD in one of the largest centres for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Europe, then you are right to apply for a PhD position here.
The next application round will be for the IMPRS PhD program starting in September 2027.
The start and end of the application phase is displayed in the box on the right.
Application deadline is November 1, 2026 (23:59h CET)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR APPLICATION:
- For the online application, you will need to upload several documents, such as your CV and a PDF scan of your transcripts and certificates, as well as a (preliminary) abstract of your Master's thesis or any other project work undertaken during your Master's degree. Please ensure that your PDF documents (especially IELTS and TOEFL certificates, but also transcripts) are not password-protected or encrypted. IELTS/TOEFL score sheets are always writing-protected! Please decrypt them before uploading them (for example, by printing them out and then scanning them, or using an online tool). If you upload protected PhD files, your application will not be processed properly.
- For the reference letters, you can enter up to three referees, providing their names and titles (e.g. Professor, Dr.) and email addresses. They will then receive an automated email asking them to upload a recommendation letter in support of your application (the deadline for recommendation letters is 1 November 2026 too). The emails requesting the letter will be sent once the “Send letter” checkbox is selected and the application file is saved the next time. The upload of letters by the referees is independent of the application's processing status. This means they can be uploaded even after the application has already been submitted.
- The application form asks for personal data such as your date and place of birth, gender, and nationality. This information is for internal administrative and statistical purposes only and will be disclosed to the selection committee for equal opportunities monitoring purposes.
- The application form also asks for your passport number, which will be disclosed to the committee too. This is only important for all candidates who need a visa to enter Germany! Candidates with German or EU citizenship who can travel freely to Munich do not need to provide a passport number. This field can be left blank or filled in with a 0. Students from outside the EU who do not have a passport number can also enter a 0. However, please note that if you are shortlisted, you must be able to obtain a visa in time to travel to Germany for the recruitment workshop in February.
- All application files will be made available to potential IMPRS supervisors at the beginning of November for review and evaluation. You may be among the candidates shortlisted for an invitation to our Recruitment Workshop from 1 to 3 February 2027. If you are shortlisted, we will inform you mid of December.
- Not being invited to the workshop does not necessarily mean that your application has been rejected. You may be contacted after the workshopfor a second recruitment round. We will only send an email to everyone to say that the application round is closed once all positions have been filled.
More questions? Please check our website at IMPRS on Astrophysics and our FAQ site or contact us at office@imprs-astro.mpg.de
We are looking forward to receiving your application!