Applicants interested in doctoral research on quantum materials should begin with the work of the relevant Max Planck research groups. The strongest case for admission is a clear match between the applicant’s preparation and the research being undertaken.
More than 20 research projects are being offered across condensed-matter physics, solid-state chemistry and related quantum-materials research. Both experimental and theoretical projects are available.
Application deadline
The official Max Planck programme states that applications for the current recruitment cycle must be submitted by 30 November 2026. Successful candidates are expected to start their projects no later than September 2027.
Official programme: IMPRS-CPQM
Official Max Planck vacancy: Max Planck – Quantum Materials PhD Positions
Who can apply?
The programme welcomes excellent applicants from any country. Candidates are expected to hold an outstanding bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field that aligns with the research programme.
Relevant backgrounds can include physics, chemistry, materials science and closely related disciplines. The decisive issue is not the degree title alone, but whether your academic preparation fits the available research projects.
Funding
The Max Planck announcement says the research is generously funded and successful candidates receive competitive payment based on the primary location of the research project.
This is different from a typical tuition-only scholarship. The PhD positions are funded research appointments, so applicants should evaluate individual project details and employment arrangements rather than looking only for a tuition-waiver figure.
How to choose a research project
Do not apply broadly without understanding the proposed projects. Review the project descriptions and identify the research themes that most closely match your training.
For experimental projects, highlight laboratory methods, instrumentation, sample preparation and measurement techniques you have used. For theoretical or computational projects, explain relevant mathematics, simulation, programming or modelling experience.
What makes a strong research application?
Research potential is usually demonstrated through evidence. Useful evidence includes:
- A strong final-year or master’s research project
- Laboratory or computational experience
- Research publications or conference presentations
- Advanced coursework directly related to the proposed field
- Programming and numerical modelling skills
- Evidence of independent problem-solving
Applicants without publications can still be competitive. A well-executed thesis and strong research references can be powerful evidence of readiness for doctoral work.
Considerations for Kenyan applicants
Applicants from Kenyan universities should translate local grading systems and academic experience clearly for an international selection committee. Do not assume the reader understands the structure of your degree, class ranking or project assessment.
If your institution offers limited access to advanced equipment, focus on what you accomplished with the resources available and the depth of your understanding. Research potential is not measured only by the sophistication of the laboratory.
References matter greatly
For a research PhD, the best referees are people who have supervised your academic or research work. They should be able to comment on your ability to work independently, understand difficult concepts, analyse results and persist when experiments or calculations fail.
Prepare a project-specific motivation
A generic statement about being fascinated by quantum mechanics will not be enough. Identify the specific project or research direction, explain what you already know about the subject and show how your previous training prepares you to contribute.
Read recent publications from the research group where possible. This will help you understand the group’s methods and avoid making vague claims.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without reading the project list.
- Using one generic statement for every research project.
- Listing technical skills without explaining how they were used.
- Failing to describe your thesis or research contribution clearly.
- Choosing referees who cannot evaluate your research ability.
What applicants should know
This programme is best suited to applicants with a strong academic record and genuine research preparation in physics, chemistry or materials science. It is highly competitive, but Kenyan applicants should assess their eligibility carefully because their university is less internationally known. A clear research fit, strong references and evidence of technical ability matter significantly.
Deadline: 30 November 2026.
Official application information: Use the IMPRS-CPQM and Max Planck pages linked above.
Eligibility checklist before you apply
- Confirm your degree background matches the selected research project.
- Read the project descriptions carefully before writing the motivation letter.
- Prepare a clear summary of your thesis or research project.
- Identify referees who can evaluate your research ability.
- Update your CV with technical methods, software, instrumentation and research outputs.
Career paths after the PhD
Graduates can move into academic research, national laboratories, advanced materials, quantum technologies, semiconductor research, energy materials and high-level scientific R&D.
The programme is particularly valuable for applicants who want an international research career and exposure to strong European research infrastructure.
How to write your research summary
Keep it concise and technical enough to show depth. State the research question, your method, your individual contribution, the main result and what you learned. If the work is unpublished, that is acceptable; the selection committee is evaluating research readiness, not only publication count.
How to present technical skills
Separate experimental and computational skills where useful. For example, list spectroscopy, diffraction, sample preparation, coding languages, numerical methods or simulation tools only if you can explain your level of experience.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a master’s degree?
The programme announcement accepts excellent applicants with suitable bachelor’s or master’s qualifications, subject to project and institutional requirements.
Are publications required?
No. Publications help, but strong research projects, references and technical ability can also demonstrate potential.
Can applicants from Kenya apply?
Yes. The recruitment is international.
Should I contact a supervisor before applying?
If the official project information encourages contact, it can be useful to ask focused research questions. Do not send generic messages asking only whether funding is available when the funded call already answers that question.
Research application preparation for Kenyan graduates
Kenyan applicants should check whether their physics, chemistry, materials science or closely related training matches the specific funded project. Use actual university transcripts to identify advanced coursework, laboratory projects and numerical or programming experience. Avoid claiming expertise in techniques you have not used.
Build a one-page research summary describing a real project, your contribution, methods and findings, including limitations. For example, explain how you characterised a material or analysed experimental measurements, with enough detail for a supervisor to judge your readiness. If you have no publications, substantive undergraduate or master’s research can still demonstrate relevant experience.
Prepare degree records, references and any requested language evidence early. Check whether funding is employment-based or stipend-based and what it covers before budgeting for German visa procedures, insurance, flights and accommodation deposits. Convert euro costs to Kenyan shillings using current rates. Read our scholarship preparation guide for a document checklist and use only the programme’s official application channel.