Max Planck School Matter to Life: A Unique Graduate Program
Program Structure: From Master’s to PhD in One Track
The Max Planck School Matter to Life (MPS MtL) offers an international 5-year Integrated Master/ PhD Program that is funded, covering both the tuition and living costs.
It consists of two phases:
- Master phase (2 years): joint degree between University of Göttingen and Heidelberg University
- PhD phase (3 years): you can carry out your doctoral thesis in any of the groups of our renowned Fellows.
To join the direct track program, you will need to apply to the Matter to Life Master's program. During your Master's phase you will learn the fundamentals of biophysics, complex systems, synthetic chemistry, synthetic biology and related subjects that are specifically curated to give you an interdisciplinary education and prepare you for a successful research phase in the field of Matter to Life.
Your path in Matter to Life
Upon completion of the Master phase, you can continue your research in the PhD phase in the laboratory of any Matter to Life faculty member. One of the hallmarks of the program lies in the faculty, who are experts in their respective fields. Professors and group leaders from universities and institutes with research focus ranging from biophysics, biomaterials, to active matter all contribute to the broader research questions of Matter to Life. As a student of this program, you will be shaped by these exceptional scientists and will also contribute to the development of this research area.
Application and Admission
Does our study program sound like the perfect fit for you? Discover how to get started on our application website!
Master’s phase
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 attracts an international student body. To ensure you can devote yourself fully to your research, we will support you with a stipend during this phase.
See our Master program page for more details about the structure, curriculum, focus of the individual teaching universities.
Upon successful completion of the 1st phase of Matter to Life, you may proceed to the 3-year research PhD phase. During this phase you will follow your research interest that is shaped by the education and training you will have received in the Masters Phase. 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. You will graduate with the academic title "Dr. rer. nat.", the German equivalent to the PhD awarded in English-speaking countries.
Visit the PhD phase page for more information.
Career paths
Your time with Matter to Life is done. What next? There is no dearth of opportunities for our recent graduates. Some of the career paths taken by our alumni include (but are not limited to):
- Academia- Research. Post doctoral fellow, staff scientist, group leader
- Research management
- Research in industry
- Consulting
- Data analyst
Alumni Network
After your graduation, you automatically become a member of the alumni network of Matter to Life which brings together the current students of Matter to Life as well as the faculty members and former members. This wide network in industry and academia helps our students with professional opportunities as well as to expand their connections and achieve their career goals.
Explore the Program as a Bachelor’s Student
Before you decide to start with the Matter to Life direct track, you can apply for a ten-week entirely funded, undergraduate research opportunity (MtL URO). Come to Germany and work in one of our faculty laboratories during a break in your Bachelor studies, get to know new people and experience what it is like to be part of Matter to Life.
More details are available on our URO page.
