Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The URO application portal for a study start in 2024 has closed. The next application period begins in fall of 2024 for admission in 2025.
Obtain your first experiences with the Max Planck School Matter to Life by joining the Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO). You can choose from our list of faculty Fellows in whose lab you can 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. Gain practical experience with cutting-edge scientific methods, collaborate with esteemed and exceptional researchers, and enhance both your knowledge and network within an interdisciplinary field. Furthermore, you will gain initial perspectives on the Matter to Life community and the program's offerings designed to establish the foundation of 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. Please note that applicants should be enrolled in their undergraduate studies both prior to and throughout the whole duration of the URO program.
There is one application round each year which starts in September and ends on December 1st. The internship then takes place in the following year during the months of June to November.
"My experience as a Matter to Life URO candidate was truly one of the most enriching, memorable, and overall fun experiences of my life."
Khanh Tran, MtL URO 2022 participant
Click here to learn more about the experience of former URO participants.
FAQ:
General
The internship can be performed within the months of June – November. You can 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 labs 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, English serves as the official language of the school, ensuring that all courses, workshops, and events are conducted exclusively in English.
Feel free to email our coordination team at uro@mtl.maxplanckschools.de
Application process
We welcome applications from exceptional undergraduate students with a keen interest in conducting research in the field of Matter to Life. Your academic focus should fall within disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, informatics, materials science, engineering, or related sub-fields like bioengineering. In your personal statement, do emphasize any prior research experience you may have had. Please note: Applicants should be enrolled in their undergraduate studies both prior to and throughout the whole duration of the URO program.
The deadline is 1 December.
No! All internships will be conducted in English.
No, an official proof is not required.
No, prior research experience is not required. We provide training in the methods necessary for your project.
We choose the best 10 candidates applying for the URO program each year.
You should receive your results in March of the subsequent year.
Other
Yes, but students who have not yet participated in the program will be given priority.
Participating in the URO program doesn't directly influence your acceptance into the MSc to PhD Direct Track program. However, it does provide you with the chance to become familiar with the community and ascertain if this field aligns with your research and career aspirations. During the selection interviews for the Master's phase, you'll have the opportunity to articulate more definitively why this program is your preferred choice to start your career journey.