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PhD positions (unsolicited application)

City:Greifswald Garching bei München
Department:Science & Research
Career level:Doctoral student
Working hours:full time
Contract type:limited
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The Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) stands as a leading global center for fusion research. With approximately 1,100 dedicated employees in Garching near Munich and Greifswald, our focus is on researching the foundations for fusion power plants. These plants generate energy without climate-damaging emissions, are safe, sustainable, and nearly inexhaustible—much like the sun. Fusion power plants hold the potential to play a significant role in the energy supply for future generations.

At our Garching location, we operate the globally renowned and established ASDEX Upgrade, a Tokamak fusion facility. In Greifswald, we conduct research with the Wendelstein 7-X, the world's largest and most advanced stellarator-type fusion facility.

PhD positions - theoretical, experimental and numerical plasma physics - locations: Garching or Greifswald

  • Opportunity to submit an unsolicited application for a PhD position at the IPP.
  • The International Helmholtz Graduate School for Plasma Physics (HEPP) is a graduate school for doctoral candidates at the Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Garching and Greifswald, and its partner universities, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the University of Greifswald and the University of Madison-Wisconsin.
  • We are constantly looking for outstanding PhD candidates in all fields of experimental, numerical and theoretical plasma physics, fusion science and plasma technology. With its PhD positions in Garching and Greifswald, the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) offers qualified young scientists the ideal opportunity to continue their research. We are looking for scientists who have recently completed (or will complete in the near future) their Master degree.
  • We are operating two large-scale experiments in Germany: At the IPP site in Garching we are conducting research on the experiment ASDEX Upgrade, this is a fusion plant of the tokamak type. And at the IPP site in Greifswald we are conducting research on the experiment Wendelstein 7-X, this fusion plant is the world's largest superconducting stellarator type. Besides a number of smaller scale experiments, the IPP offers the opportunity to conduct a PhD project on the above mentioned large-scale exeriments.
  • On the websites of the scientific divisions you can find information about our research topics and projects. Expertise is a plus, but a strong plasma physics background and passion for nuclear fusion are enough to get started. In your cover letter, kindly indicate which topics resonates with you and how you'd like to contribute.

A PhD position with us means

  • You will be part of one of the largest scientific and technical projects in Germany with interdisciplinary project teams. During your PhD phase you can expect excellent working conditions, exciting tasks and projects in an international scientific environment. In a structured training program you will acquire new skills and competencies through your work.
  • Our PhD positions are temporary contracts limited to 3 years. The compensation is based on to the German public sector tariff (TVöD Bund), starting at 75% of the salary grade 13 in the first year.
  • For further information about HEPP and the application process please refer to HEPP - PhD program
  • What can you further expect?
    • Flexible working hours
    • Discounted public transport tickets
    • Free parking on the institute's premises
    • Company pension scheme for the public sector
    • The Max Planck Society's online training academy
    • Canteen on the campus with a varied range of meals
    • Company health management for preventive healthcare
    • Various sports activities, groups and courses on campus
    • Paid leave of up to 30 days (depending on working hours)
    • Family service for all questions relating to work-life balance
    • Social counseling for support in difficult life and work situations
  • With their knowledge, commitment, and creativity for new ideas and solutions, the many young scientists from around 30 countries make a significant contribution to the scientific excellence of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. Here you can find further information about living and working in Germany.

We value a fair, diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or their social, ethnical or religious background. We aim to increase the representation of women in areas where they are underrepresented and encourage them to apply. We also support the hiring of people with disabilities and invite them to apply.

Would you like to learn more about our HEPP Graduate School for doctoral studies?

To our PhD program

Questions about PhD? We are happy to help.

Please send general inquiries to hepp@ipp.mpg.de

Dr. René BussiahnHEPP Coordinator & Study Guide Greifswald

Phone +49 3834 88-2208E-Mail: rene.bussiahn@ipp.mpg.de

Anja BauerHEPP Office Garching

Phone +49 89 3299-1209E-Mail: anja.bauer@ipp.mpg.de

Dr. Gustavo GrenfellHEPP Study Guide GarchingPhone +49 89 3299-1019E-Mail: gustavo.grenfell@ipp.mpg.de

We look forward to receiving your application.

Please submit your application exclusively via our online portal to ensure direct contact with the relevant decision-makers. Email applications cannot be considered for data protection reasons.

Required: resume; optional: cover letter, school, college, training, and/or work certificates, continuing education certificates, list of publications, etc.

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