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Your Academic Career in Plasma Physics

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Excellent energy research enabling the future. United by scientific diversity.

At the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP), we are dedicated to exploring the fundamentals of a clean and safe energy source—nuclear fusion. The IPP is recognized worldwide as a benchmark in magnetic fusion, delivering experimental and theoretical results of outstanding quality across a wide range of topics.

Our scientists work with large-scale research facilities, develop theoretical models, and test new technologies to better understand the behavior of plasmas and materials. Whether you are experienced in research, a postdoctoral researcher, doctoral candidate, master’s or bachelor’s student, or currently pursuing your studies, you will have the opportunity to contribute to science with international relevance and social impact.

PostDoc

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics offers postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to advance their careers.

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PhD Program

Our doctoral positions are ideal for advancing your research.

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Master’s & Bachelor’s Theses

We offer qualified students the opportunity to complete their Bachelor’s and Master’s theses in collaboration with a university at IPP.

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Student Assistants & Internships

Are you a student specializing in physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science? Here you will find information about internships and student positions.

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Professionals in Science

Are you already an experienced researcher in physics and eager to actively shape the future of IPP as a scientific employee? You will find all available positions on our job portal.

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Habilitation & Appointment as a Director

Leadership Role in Science.

The Institut actively supports habilitation qualifications. Several of our researchers have successfully completed this process.

For a professorship or a position on the board of directors, you will already have contributed to the institute, established junior research groups, and gained leadership experience.

As a director at IPP, you will also hold a professorship at a university with reduced teaching responsibilities. You will mentor early-career researchers and lead an institute division with diverse research opportunities. These dual appointments combine the benefits of research and teaching and are crucial within the German research landscape.

In this role, you will shape research at IPP, lead teams, publish in internationally renowned journals, and support the next generation of scientists.

As a director, you will help develop scientific infrastructure by taking on prominent roles in committees, projects, and alliances.

Research Leadership & Leading of a Junior Research Group

At IPP, there are numerous opportunities to take on leadership roles in science, ranging from heading a team to leading the entire institute. It is also possible to combine these positions with a university appointment.

Outstanding postdocs can lead their own junior research groups and benefit from collaboration with universities, which provides excellent preparation for scientific leadership positions.

Experienced scientific staff members have the opportunity to independently establish research groups and develop new research areas.

IPP is committed to supporting your career goals at every stage.

Science Management

Organisation meets science.

You are the organizer behind successful research: In research management, you create the foundation for smooth, efficient, and secure research processes. With an eye for detail and a sense of the bigger picture, you coordinate projects, support science communication, and establish the structured basis on which top-level research can thrive.

In the Scientific Office, you work closely with the Scientific Director, serving as a reliable partner in all organizational and strategic matters. You ensure the institute’s leadership can operate at its best, overseeing everything from project planning and implementation to coordinating internal processes and managing professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Your work is more than administration—it is a crucial building block for the institute’s impact and visibility. You strengthen collaboration between management and staff, foster exchange, and actively contribute to a positive external image. Whether it’s in events, reports, or strategic initiatives, you bring structure to complexity and ensure that research is truly heard where it matters most.

Research & Senior Scientist

Responsibility in research – with passion and personality.

Our scientists are at the heart of IPP. With enthusiasm, expertise, and a strong sense of commitment, they help shape the research of tomorrow. We seek and support outstanding researchers who advance top-level research not only through their solid knowledge, but also through their individuality and ideas.

For many, working at the IPP it is more than just a job – it is a calling. Together, you are shaping the energy of the future, acting responsibly, innovatively, and with the aim of making a difference.

If you are passionate about research, enthusiastic about scientific questions, and eager to make an impact with your personality, then the IPP is exactly where you belong.

Postdoc

Deepen your research.

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics offers outstanding postdoctoral positions for scientifically dedicated early-career researchers. Advance your career in an international, inspiring environment and actively contribute to the ongoing development of plasma physics.

In engaging projects, you will work within interdisciplinary teams, expand your expertise through hands-on research and targeted training opportunities – supported by the Career Center for Postdocs.

More than 140 postdoctoral researchers from around 30 countries contribute their knowledge and creativity to the cutting-edge research at the IPP.

If you are looking to further develop your academic career after your doctorate with new perspectives, personal responsibility, and international networking, this is the ideal place for you.

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PhD Program

Your start into a research career.

As a doctoral candidate at IPP, you will conduct research on innovative topics in plasma physics. The International Helmholtz Graduate School for Plasma Physics (HEPP) provides outstanding support and enables independent research.

The graduate school at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) and at partner universities such as the University of Greifswald, Auburn University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison is internationally recognized. Associated partners include the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ).

The graduate school aims to attract excellent candidates from around the world. By organizing across multiple locations, it leverages synergies to expand first-class educational opportunities in plasma physics and fusion research. Benefit from an interdisciplinary education and a collaborative research environment.

Explore our PhD program

Master's & Bachelor's Theses

Theses in cutting-edge research.

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) offers Bachelor's and Master's theses, primarily for students of IPP lecturers.

Master's theses can be developed in collaboration with universities and cover disciplines such as physics, electrical engineering, IT, mechanical engineering, and materials technology.

IPP is part of a European network that, under the Erasmus Mundus program, offers the "European Master in Nuclear Fusion Science and Engineering Physics," recognized in several European countries.

More than 350 theses have already been completed at IPP.

Start your career

Student Assistants & Internships

Your start into science.

Internships

At IPP, you will gain valuable interdisciplinary experience through both mandatory and voluntary internships. The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics offers internships in physics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and additional fields. Students from universities of applied sciences can participate from their second practical semester onwards.

Student Positions

Students of mathematics, physics, and engineering can work at IPP as research assistants. Mandatory for student positions at IPP is an enrollment at a German university. Compensation is based on the current hourly rate for assistants. During lecture periods, up to 20 hours per week are possible, while more hours can be arranged during semester breaks.

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What makes your research unique with us

Excellent infrastructure meets reliable development.

Large-scale research facilities

You will conduct research directly at ASDEX Upgrade and Wendelstein 7-X, working with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools. Structured data access and well-documented workflows make analysis, comparability, and publication more efficient.

Strong Networks

Collaborative experiments, methods, and papers are developed through European and international partnerships. You benefit from knowledge exchange, co-authorship opportunities, and access to partner laboratories within established consortia.

Career paths from PhD to Executive Leadership

Clear development paths with dedicated programs for doctoral candidates, structured postdoc support, and opportunities leading up to habilitation. Mentoring, seminars, and professional guidance ensure measurable progress and tangible milestones.

Interdisciplinarity

Physics, materials research, diagnostics, engineering, and data science work seamlessly together. This integration connects theory, experimentation, and simulation, while diverse perspectives accelerate results.

Laboratories & Technical Infrastructure

Well-equipped laboratories, workshops, and diagnostic setups enable rapid iterations from concept to experiment. Engineering support and standardized processes ensure precision, safety, and availability.

Knowledge Transfer & Visibility

From lab tours and 360° insights to conferences: your work becomes visible. Outreach initiatives, media engagement, and expert presentations enhance your reputation, expand your network, and increase your scientific impact.

Voices from Research

Hannah Lindl – Doctoral Candidate since 2024

I wrote my master’s thesis at IPP and was impressed by the intensive support provided to young researchers here. I always felt seen—my colleagues genuinely took an interest in my work. We are given the opportunity to present at conferences early on. For me, fusion is more than just physics—it is something I am truly passionate about. As early as eleventh grade, I gave a presentation on fusion research—and that is when my enthusiasm for this field began.

Joey Rubin – Doctoral candidate since 2023
I have always been fascinated by physics—first astrophysics, then fusion. When I learned about Tokamaks and IPP, I knew this was where I wanted to do research. The environment here is exceptional, both professionally and personally. I have outstanding colleagues who support and inspire me. At IPP, science, team spirit, and quality of life come together.
Dr. Bob Davies – Postdoctoral Researcher since 2023
After completing my bachelor's degree, I initially spent a year working in industry before returning to research through my PhD at the University of York in England. The concept of fusion energy has fascinated me since my school days—exploring plasma physics allows me to fulfill a childhood dream. I chose IPP because it is renowned worldwide for its outstanding plasma research and offered me the opportunity to live and work abroad.
Francesco Franco - Doctoral candidate since 2024
I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in Padua, specializing in plasma physics with a particular focus on fusion research, so IPP has always been on my radar. In addition to the scientific activities and the close collaboration between my former university and IPP, the proximity to Italy and the quality of life in and around Munich were also important factors. I live near the English Garden, which is especially beautiful in the summer. With its museums, vibrant nightlife, and of course the nearby Alps, Munich is a very pleasant place to be.

FAQ about a Research Career

Answers for your academic career.
How can I apply?
For data protection reasons, please apply exclusively online. Discover all our current job openings on our career portal. Whether you are interested in direct entry, a thesis project, or a speculative application, you will find the right opportunity for your level of experience.
Can I apply for leadership positions?
Junior research groups are established and led by ambitious postdocs, opening up future leadership opportunities. As an external researcher, you also have the chance to take on leadership roles in science. You can find all available positions on our job portal.
What happens after I submit my application?
After submitting your online application, you will receive a confirmation email with access to your application portal. Your application will typically be reviewed by several people, so we kindly ask for your patience as we provide feedback. If we consider you a potential fit, you will be invited to a telephone or video interview, followed by an in-depth in-person meeting on site to get to know the location. Should the discussions be successful, we will send you a draft contract. Upon your agreement and after review by the works council, you will receive the final employment contract. Welcome to IPP!
Are there opportunities for further training?
At IPP, you will find a wide range of opportunities for further development. Whether it is colloquia, specialist conferences, seminars, or workshops, you can continuously expand your knowledge. In addition, you can make use of the Max Planck Society Training Academy to purposefully strengthen your skills.
Which infrastructure do I use?
Our unique large-scale experiments, ASDEX Upgrade and Wendelstein 7-X, are supported by specialized laboratories with custom-designed equipment. Various research groups analyze complex data using Linux-based IT systems and state-of-the-art data centers.
Is IPP an inclusive employer?
A fair, diverse, and inclusive work environment is important to us. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of social, ethnic, or religious background or sexual orientation. We are committed to increasing the representation of women in areas where they are underrepresented and encourage them to apply. We also support the employment of people with disabilities and warmly invite them to submit their applications.
Which languages are important?
English and German are essential for our international research environment. Employees from over 30 countries collaborate in international teams at our organization. If additional language skills are required, this will be specified in the job postings.

Your research. Our progress.

At IPP, you will find a technical environment that makes scientific progress possible—along with a mission that offers real purpose: shaping the future of energy generation.
Join the IPP team now