The Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP)

Your excellent Graduate School in Germany

The Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP) is a top tier interdisciplinary graduate school in Germany that provides an integrated MSc and PhD program (or "PhD only") in Photonics for excellent graduates from all over the world. We offer:
Substantial funding - no tuition fees

Substantial funding - no tuition fees

So you can focus on learning and researching, you will receive generous grants from us (during study phase) or employment positions (during research phase).
Excellent teaching and research facilities

Excellent teaching and research facilities

The laboratories and teaching facilities of our partner institutions make the student's heart beat faster - because excellent research needs excellent equipment.
An outstanding network of world-renowned Fellows

An outstanding network of world-renowned Fellows

During your PhD, you'll be supervised by one of our MPSP Fellows and receive support and knowledge from the entire Fellow network.
Very good industry contacts for your career start

Very good industry contacts for your career start

Academia, industry or your own startup? However your career path should look like - the MPSP ideally prepares you for it through training and contacts.



THE MPSP PROGRAM

THE STUDY PHASE - Your MSc Program
If you join the MPSP with a Bachelor's degree (=undergraduate), you first complete the 2-year "study phase". During this first phase, you obtain a master’s degree in photonics at one of our three teaching universities.
THE RESEARCH PHASE - Your PhD Project
After the study phase (or if you apply with a qualifying MSc degree) you can start your research project. In the 3-year "research phase" you conduct your doctoral project in photonics under supervision of our MPSP Fellows.

WHY PHOTONICS?

  • Photonics is a dynamic physical science which focusses on light itself, (the photon) creation, manipulation, control and photonics applications in everyday life.
  • Photonics is the key technology for various research areas and innovative branches of industry, which drives technological development in the 21st century. As the 20th century was for electronics, this century is expected to be the age of photonics.
If you are a graduate with a background in physics, engineering or a related field, Photonics is your chance to enlighten the world with your research and work. With a PhD in photonics, you will have numerous career opportunities in both academia and industry.

WHY STUDY PHOTONICS IN GERMANY?

Germany is one of the leading Photonics nations in Europe and the whole world. German researchers at universities and non-universitarian research institutions produce excellent contributions to all photonics-related disciplines and fields - from attosecond physics to quantum optics, from fundamental research to industry-oriented applications. At the Max Planck School of Photonics, we connect the brightest minds from diverse institutions to give our candidates access to their combined knowledge and cutting-edge research. You can join research groups of your choice and contribute to ground breaking research.


NEWS FROM THE MPSP



THE MPSP BLOG

Get to know our Max Planck School of Photonics Fellows: Prof. Dr. Christine Silberhorn

Get to know our Max Planck School of Photonics Fellows: Prof. Dr. Christine Silberhorn

They are an important part of the MPSP and support, encourage and collaborate with our PhD candidates: Our MPSP Fellows. During our MPSP Spring School in February, we interviewed five of our Fellows and talked about their research, the challenges they face and the future of photonics. But we also focused on our PhD Candidates and what it's like for our Fellows to be part of the MPSP.

MPSP Spring School 2025

MPSP Spring School 2025

Our Spring School 2025 was held from February 24th to 28th in the picturesque town of Garmisch! Where once again, we gathered for an enriching and dynamic exchange of ideas, knowledge, and collaboration. Throughout the week, our PhD candidates had the opportunity to engage with our Fellows, visit physics and optics institutions, and participate in stimulating discussions. 

Location Visit in Hamburg

Location Visit in Hamburg

End of November 2024, our students had the opportunity to visit the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg and gain fascinating insights into the operation of its innovative research instruments as well as its current research priorities.
DESY is one of the world's leading accelerator centers, enabling research in fields such as elementary particles, nanomaterials, and biomolecules with its unique facilities, and a strong partner of the Max Planck School of Photonics where researchers from over 40 nations get offered exciting interdisciplinary opportunities for young scientists.

Max Planck Schools Day 2024

Max Planck Schools Day 2024

This year, the much-awaited Max Planck Schools Day 2024 was held at Berlin's iconic Harnack Haus at the end of September. This annual event, organized by the acclaimed Max Planck Society brought together members from the three renowned Max Planck Schools—Photonics, Matter to Life, and Cognition, cultivating a spirit of community among the next generation of scientists.

MPSP Autumn School 2024

MPSP Autumn School 2024

The vibrant city of Jena, renowned for its rich history and strong academic community, played host to the much-celebrated Autumn School 2024, and offered an ideal setting to welcome a new cohort of students and unite them with colleagues and researchers from our various institutions, all eager to dive into the exciting world of photonics.

MPSP Spring School 2024

MPSP Spring School 2024

Welcome to the Spring School 2024! As spring emerges slowly but steadily, we had a wonderful and exciting time in Aachen, a city blending historic charm with cutting-edge innovation. Over five enriching days, we engaged in Fellow Talks, lab tours at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) and the RWTH, inspirational discussions, talking about future careers and some social events to connect with each other.

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