Max Planck School Matter to Life: A Unique Graduate Program

Matter to Life is an interdisciplinary study program encompassing topics from biology, chemistry, and physics. It is led and taught by experts in this field and focuses on questions including "What is life and how can it be quantitatively described?" and "How do we get from molecules to cellular systems to decision making processes?". The program is taught entirely in English and targets an international student body.

In the first semester you will study a common curriculum with shared lectures between the universities so that you have a strong grounding in the fundamentals required for further study in MtL, and an insight into the interdisciplinary nature of the field. In the second semester you will concentrate on specialized courses which depend on your particular focus. Since this is offered as a joint degree program between Heidelberg University and the University of Göttingen, apart from the mandatory core modules, students can choose courses related to the subject, and avail themselves of the resources offered at at either of the universities. This increased flexibility ensures that students can tailor their Master’s depending on their interests and aptitude.

In the third and fourth semesters you will focus on research and work in one or more of our Faculty's laboratories and research groups. After completing the first phase, you will receive a Master's degree and can continue onto the second phase.

To ensure you can devote yourself fully to your research, we will support you with a stipend during this phase.

In addition to your course work, you will attend MtL symposia, student organized retreats, and also get the opportunity to attend scientific talks and workshops. A Buddy program with students from the older cohorts will help with your arrival in Germany, establish a social circle, and overall ensure a smooth start. Our mentoring program with the Faculty Fellows will further help you explore different scientific avenues during your studies, and assist you in career development. This program will offer the opportunity not only to expand one’s scientific network but also their collaboration opportunities. It will promote the mentees to interrogate their future career within the scientific field, and explore opportunities and pathways to achieve the set goals in this context.

See our Master program page for more details about the individual teaching universities and the application page for more details on the application process.

Upon successful completion of the 1^st phase of Matter to Life, you may proceed to the 3-year research PhD phase. During this phase you will follow your research interest under the supervision of one of our Faculty members. You will graduate with the academic title "Dr. rer. nat.", the German equivalent to the PhD awarded in English-speaking countries.

Once you have finished the first phase of Matter to Life with an average grade of 2.0 or better you can progress to the second phase of the Matter to Life graduate program. You will work with a Matter to Life Faculty member on a mutually agreed research project. You will have access to cutting-edge science and modern research facilities as well as to the excellent network of students and Fellows in Matter to Life. We strongly encourage exchange and cooperation within the MtL network as well as with cooperation partners outside of Germany. The mentoring program continues giving you access to advice and help during your PhD and for your future career. On top of this, we offer – in addition to our MtL Symposium twice a year - training on core and lab skills and other broader topics for example conflict management etc.

You will have a thesis advisory committee consisting of experts in your field which will meet annually to discuss your results and progress in the past year and offer you support and scientific input for the upcoming year.

During your research phase, you will be employed under an employment contract. Visit the PhD phase page for more information.