We seek enthusiastic undergraduate students to join our interdisciplinary Master to PhD Direct Track program

“What is life?", and "Can life-like processes, functions and objects be quantitatively simulated, predicted and created in the laboratory?" – Join the Max Planck School Matter to Life to explore these questions!

The Max Planck School Matter to Life (MPS MtL) offers an innovative integrated Master’s and PhD program providing a highly interdisciplinary and research oriented education for excellent undergraduates. Research can be conducted at one of the partners of the broad MtL Network consisting of nearly 60 excellent scientists (our so-called Fellows) from top-ranking universities and renowned research institutions throughout Germany.

We offer

• An exceptional and highly interdisciplinary graduate program directly after your Bachelor’s
• Joint degree from University of Göttingen and Heidelberg University
• A unique network of outstanding Fellows comprising of leading experts in this field working across the premier universities and institutes in Germany.
• An ideal and low student to faculty ratio enabling support tailored to the individual needs and interests of the students
• 3-week welcome course for our first-year students and annual symposia
• Funding for up to five years, including a stipend for both international and German students as well as medical insurance support
• All courses taught in English

The program is structed in two phases, a Master phase (study phase) and a PhD phase (research phase). It is a joint program between Heidelberg University and the University of Göttingen. We offer two different foci in Matter to Life (MtL) at our teaching universities:

• Molecular Systems Chemistry and Engineering (Heidelberg University)
• Complex Systems and Biological Physics (University of Göttingen)

The universities share a core curriculum with classes taught in connected classrooms. Laboratory rotations at MtL partner institutions during the Master's phase of the program are obligatory and the students are supported in building their own research networks in this highly interdisciplinary area. All students are given a mentor to guide them through the program. Voluntary preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry and physical chemistry are offered prior to the start of the Master's program.

After you successfully complete the Master's program, you continue with the 3-year PhD phase under the supervision of one of the school's associated Fellows.

Who are we looking for?

Students with minimum of Bachelor’s or in the final year of their Bachelor’s with backgrounds in Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Materials Science, Molecular Systems Engineering, Molecular Cell Biology, or a related subject are encouraged to apply.

Application requirements (no registration fee/no GRE required):

• Certificates/Diplomas of all higher education degrees (e.g. BSc, etc.) - if already obtained
• Official transcripts of all completed and ongoing degrees
• Letter of motivation (please only use our template which you can find on our website)
• Proof of English language proficiency in the case of non-native English-speaking applicants

For more information regarding your application to MtL, check our website: https://mattertolife.maxplanckschools.org/application

Deadline for applications: Annually in Winter. The study program starts in the following year in September.

Please check our website for more information. Here you will also find a detailed list of FAQs. If you still have questions, join one of our info sessions or contact our main coordination office at: mattertolife@maxplanckschools.de