Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The URO application portal is currently closed.
Obtain your first experiences with the Max Planck School Matter to Life by joining the Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO). You can choose from our various Fellow labs to do a 10-week internship. You will be working on a specific research topic of the respective lab in close collaboration and supervision of the local researchers. Receive hands-on experience on some of the latest scientifical methods, work with renowned outstanding scientists and exchange as well as expand your knowledge and network in an interdisciplinary field. In addition, you will obtain first insights to what it is like as part of the Matter to Life community and what the program can offer you to build the foundation for your future career. In order to facilitate your research and to enhance your experience, the URO program offers financial support for your travel, accommodation and living.
Who can apply?
Eligible to apply are all motivated undergraduate students during their Bachelor studies in an MtL related field. There is one application round each year which starts in September and ends on December 1st. The internship will take place in the following year during the months of June and November.
“My experience as a Matter to Life URO candidate was incredible in all senses. In the first place, as I had never been to Europe before, most of the things were new for me. However, adapting to that was not too difficult and was something that I enjoyed it a lot. Germany is a beautiful country with a lot of places to visit and kind people to meet. This program allowed me to work in an exceptional research group at a very prestigious university, where I met incredible people from different disciplines and cultures, making the experience more enriching. I have learned a lot of new techniques and concepts that have improved my knowledge of my field, allowing me to be more prepared for future projects. In conclusion, I would encourage everyone who wants to improve their skills and have an unforgettable experience in an exceptional country, to apply to the Matter to Life Program. Doing research in Germany was unique for me, I discovered new ways of doing science and enhance my critical thinking.“
Adrián Gutiérrez Cruz
MtL URO candidate in 2021 Bachelor student from Mexico in nanotechnology and chemistry. Read the interview about his experiences!
FAQ:
General
The internship can be performed within the months of June – November. You will determine the exact dates of your 10-week internship within this time frame. Please indicate your availability on the application portal.
The internship lasts 10 weeks.
Yes! Travel to/from your home country, accommodation, and a living allowance is provided.
The internships are held in the laboratories of Matter to Life Faculty members within Germany. Our Faculty are located in Aachen, Dortmund, Dresden, Erlangen, Göttingen, Heidelberg, Jena, Magdeburg, Mainz, Marburg, Munich, Potsdam, and Saarbrücken. Please see the Faculty member’s own website to find out where their organization is located.
Yes, the official language of the school is English and so all courses, workshops and other events are in English.
Feel free to email our coordination team at uro@mtl.maxplanckschools.de
Application process
Any excellent undergraduate student interested in performing research in the field of Matter to Life. You should have some research experience and your major should be within one of the following fields: physics, chemistry, biology, informatics, materials science, or engineering (or a related sub-field, e.g. bioengineering). Your personal statement should highlight your previous research experience, if any.
The deadline is December 1, 2021.
No! All internships will be conducted in English.
No, an official proof is not required.
No research experience is required. We train you in the methods needed for your project.
We choose the best 10 candidates applying for the URO program each year.
You should receive your results by end of February 2022.
Other
Yes, but students who have not yet participated in the program will be given priority.
No, but it gives you the opportunity to get to know the community and realize if this is what you want to be working or doing research on. During the selection interviews for the Master phase, you can state more clearly why this is the program you want to start your career with.
Yes, we are looking forward to your application!