Project Overview
About the Position
The International Max Planck Research School for Chemistry and Physics of Quantum Materials (IMPRS-CPQM) has opened its 2027 call with more than twenty doctoral projects on offer. The school is a tri-institutional collaboration: the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden, Technische Universitaet Dresden, and the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Each project pairs a specific supervisor with a defined research question across condensed matter physics and solid-state chemistry.
The subject matter spans the chemistry-physics boundary of quantum materials - how new compounds are grown and characterised, and how their electronic, magnetic and topological behaviour is measured and modelled. Because every project is advertised individually with its own page, applicants should read the project list on the school website and target the two or three projects closest to their background.
What Is on Offer
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Projects | More than 20 doctoral projects in condensed matter physics and solid-state chemistry. |
| Institutions | Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Dresden), TU Dresden, University of St Andrews. |
| Funding | Fully funded doctoral employment contracts under Max Planck Society / TU Dresden scales; health insurance, pension and social benefits included. |
| Deadline | Applications accepted no later than 30 November 2026. |
| Eligibility | Highly motivated candidates with an outstanding bachelor's or master's degree well aligned with the school's research areas. |
Who Should Apply
Candidates finishing a bachelor's or master's degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or a neighbouring field whose interests sit in quantum materials - superconductivity, magnetism, topology, correlated electron systems, crystal growth or the solid-state chemistry behind them. The school explicitly welcomes applications from candidates whose degree is 'well-aligned' rather than identical to the project topics, so a strong methods background matters more than an exact subject match.
How to Apply
Applications run through the school's own application system, following the detailed application guidelines published on the IMPRS-CPQM website. The usual package - CV, transcripts, two referees and a statement of research interests tied to specific advertised projects - should be prepared before starting the form, and each project page on the school site tells you which supervisor to reference.
Why Dresden
Dresden is one of Europe's densest clusters for materials research: the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, TU Dresden's ct.qmat cluster and a wider campus of Leibniz institutes sit within walking distance of each other. Doctoral researchers in Max Planck schools are employed with full contracts, and Dresden's living costs remain well below those of Munich, Stuttgart or Frankfurt, which stretches a German doctoral salary a long way.
Official Link
- Official advert and application (verified link)
- IMPRS-CPQM official website (project list and guidelines)
English language requirements
German doctoral employment generally has no fixed IELTS or TOEFL threshold; your English is judged from the written application and the interview, and prior English-medium study is widely accepted as evidence.
About IMPRS-CPQM (Max Planck / TU Dresden / St Andrews)
The International Max Planck Research School for Chemistry and Physics of Quantum Materials (IMPRS-CPQM) is a tri-institutional graduate school of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Technische Universitaet Dresden and the University of St Andrews, offering 20+ funded doctoral projects in condensed matter physics and solid-state chemistry.
Official website: https://imprs-cpqm.mpg.de
Contact
Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be raised through the contact channel given on the official announcement page (see the Official Link section above). Always quote the position reference in your message so the admissions or HR team can route your enquiry quickly.
Important Notes
- Application deadline: 30 November 2026 - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
- Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
- Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.
Application guides
Frequently asked questions
Drawn from this listing's own record. Always confirm the details on the official source before applying.
What is the deadline for IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews?
The application deadline is 30 November 2026. Applications received after that date are not considered, so treat it as a hard cut-off (Europe/Berlin time) and leave time for references and transcripts. Closing time not specified — confirm with the provider before you leave it until the last day: the source names Europe/Berlin but gives no clock time.
Is IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews fully funded?
This is a fully funded award: tuition is covered and a living stipend is provided for the duration of the programme. Approx. €3,010/month gross (TV-L E13, 65% — typical doctoral level).
Who is eligible to apply for IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews?
This opportunity is open to applicants worldwide. Host-country status is not a requirement, although you must still satisfy the visa rules for Germany. Applications are assessed by IMPRS-CPQM (Max Planck / TU Dresden / St Andrews).
How do I apply for IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews?
Applications for IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews are submitted directly to IMPRS-CPQM (Max Planck / TU Dresden / St Andrews) through the provider's own application portal — use the Apply button on this page to open it. NextApply does not process applications or charge a fee.
Is an English proficiency test required for IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews?
The source does not state whether an English proficiency test is required for this listing — confirm the requirement (if any) with the provider before applying.
What study level does IMPRS-CPQM PhD Positions in Quantum Materials - Max Planck, TU Dresden and St Andrews offer?
This listing is offered at PhD level. That describes the qualification on offer, not a credential you must already hold — check the provider's stated entry requirements before applying.
Hosted by
IMPRS-CPQM (Max Planck / TU Dresden / St Andrews)
The International Max Planck Research School for Chemistry and Physics of Quantum Materials (IMPRS-CPQM) is a tri-institutional graduate school of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Technische Universitaet Dresden and the University of St Andrews, offering 20+ funded doctoral projects in condensed matter physics and solid-state chemistry.
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