Graduate Education
Pursue your PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research!
The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP) offers doctoral researchers an outstanding environment to pursue their scientific projects. Within the framework of our graduate education program, doctoral researchers can further develop their scientific profile and strengthen their professional skills.
Independent Research
At the MPIP, doctoral researchers carry out their research projects within the framework of a research group, working in state-of-the-art laboratories with access to excellent scientific infrastructure. Close supervision by group leaders and directors, combined with the expertise available across all departments, creates a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. This setting enables doctoral researchers to develop their scientific profile, take ownership of their projects, and contribute their ideas to the institute’s research. In doing so, they are prepared for successful careers both within and beyond academia.
Excellent Scientific Education
As part of their scientific training, MPIP doctoral researchers participate in a regularly held, multidisciplinary lecture series on methods and research topics in soft matter science. The lectures are given by experts from all departments, namely group leaders and directors, and highlight current research questions and methods present at the institute. Topics range from advanced microscopy and spectroscopy to computational chemistry and related tools. The series enables doctoral researchers to broaden their methodological expertise, gain interdisciplinary perspectives, and engage with the diverse research landscape at MPIP.
General Professional Development
Beyond scientific training, we also support doctoral researchers in preparing for a broad range of career paths in academia, industry, or other sectors. For this reason, in addition to the centrally offered online courses via the Planck Academy, we organize an in-person “Soft Skill Week” twice a year with workshops on presentation skills, scientific writing, communication skills and more. These activities complement scientific training and contribute to overall professional development. In addition, a mentoring program further assists doctoral researchers in planning their next career steps.
Social and Intercultural Learning
The MPIP brings together researchers from many nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Pursuing a PhD in this international environment offers doctoral researchers the opportunity to work closely with colleagues from around the world, fostering intercultural exchange and broadening perspectives. Peer-to-peer initiatives and networking events further strengthen our community of young researchers. The MPIP is committed to providing an open and supportive research environment for doctoral researchers of all backgrounds, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and identities.
Applying to Do your PhD
Applications for PhD positions at MPIP are handled by the individual departments or independent research groups. For specific application details, please visit the respective department or group pages.
Getting your Doctoral Degree
The MPIP is located right next to Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), where doctoral researchers can officially register as doctoral candidates in one of the natural science faculties, for example:
• Faculty 08 – Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science
• Faculty 09 – Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Geography and Geosciences
For students pursuing interdisciplinary research projects, the Max Planck Graduate Center mit der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität (MPGC) — a joint initiative between the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, and multiple JGU faculties — offers an additional pathway to obtain an interdisciplinary doctoral degree upon admission to this structured program.
For general information on doctoral studies at JGU, including registration, and enrollment, please refer to Doctoral Studies at JGU.
Beyond JGU, some MPIP departments also collaborate with other universities, providing alternative options for obtaining a doctoral degree outside of Mainz.