Max Planck School Matter to Life

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers an integrated MSc/PhD graduate programme. Students receive their joint Master's degree in Matter to Life by regularly studying at the two teaching universities (University of Göttingen or Heidelberg University). Subsequently, the students can pursue their own research in the PhD phase of the programme under the supervision of a fellow within the Matter to Life Faculty with a matching research interest.

Research is central to our entire Masters/PhD program. In semester 3, you conduct immersive lab rotations across two of our nearly 80 Fellow laboratories gaining hands-on experience with diverse techniques: from molecular biophysics to engineered biological systems and many more.

Your semester 4 Master thesis involves designing and executing your own research project with one of our Fellows. You then transition to a three-year PhD phase, continuing independent research in your chosen laboratory across Germany. Throughout the program, you benefit from cutting-edge facilities, expert mentorship from our Fellows, and collaboration within the vibrant, international MtL network.