Overview

About the programme

The Solar System Science School is a research-oriented graduate programme hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) on the Göttingen Campus in the centre of Germany. In this unique environment, the IMPRS School at the University of Göttingen is run jointly with the Institute for Astrophysics and Geophysics and the Geoscience Center.

Junior researchers joining the doctoral programme will find that these institutes offer excellent facilities, internationally renowned researchers and experienced teachers, and provide excellent conditions to specialise in the field of Solar System science.

Programme Structure

What you will learn:

The research topics for doctoral theses address scientific problems from all areas of Solar System research represented at the institute, from geophysics and planetary physics to Solar and stellar physics as well as the underlying fundamental physics and chemistry, computational physics, and space technology.
High-profile space missions, outstanding projects for ground-based instruments and data analysis as well as theoretical and extensive numerical modeling provide a wide range of research possibilities for PhD students.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-10-01 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

80

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Göttingen, Germany

Disciplines

Astronomy & Space Sciences View 5 other PhDs in Astronomy & Space Sciences in Germany

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

80

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Other requirements

General requirements

Admittance to the programme is competitive and requires a Master of Science degree in physics, geosciences, chemistry or a related field, including a written Master's thesis.

Applicants must submit:

an application form to be filled online, including two short texts describing the applicant's scientific interests and their motivation to apply for PhD projects in the Solar System School, along with the applicant's choice of up to three PhD projects
a curriculum vitae in pdf format
degree certificates and full transcripts of all academic records
certificate to prove proficiency in the English language
contact details for two or three academic referees who have been contacted by the applicant and who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.
GRE Physics or GRE Chemistry test scores or equivalent for candidates who have obtained their Master's degree at a university outside of the European ECTS area

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Göttingen and/or in Germany, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

Free
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

Free

Additional Details

Semester fee: 466 Euro

Living costs

Göttingen

Germany

730 - 1100 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Solar System Science.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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