Max Planck School Matter to Life – Master's to PhD Direct Track Programme

This programme is a direct-track pathway that leads from a Master of Science into a PhD within the Max Planck School Matter to Life. Students complete the joint Master's curriculum associated with the School by taking the taught components at the programme’s designated teaching universities—University of Göttingen and Heidelberg University—culminating in a joint MSc degree in Matter to Life. Instruction and coursework are conducted in English and the curriculum is explicitly interdisciplinary, bridging concepts and methods across the natural sciences.

After completing the Master’s phase, students move seamlessly into the PhD phase, where they undertake independent research under the guidance of a fellow from the Matter to Life Faculty whose research interests align with the student’s project. The structure is designed to provide a coherent transition from taught training to focused doctoral research within the Max Planck School’s research network, offering close supervision and cross-institutional collaboration opportunities for international students.

Requirements (key facts)

• English-taught programme
• Joint Master’s degree awarded in Matter to Life
• Taught components completed at the programme’s teaching universities (University of Göttingen and Heidelberg University)
• Direct transition from MSc to PhD (MSc to PhD Direct Track)
• PhD research supervised by a Matter to Life Faculty fellow with a matching research interest
• Interdisciplinary focus across relevant natural science fields

Program structure and study locations You spend the Master's phase of the programme at one of two partner universities, depending on the specialisation you choose: Complex Systems and Biological Physics or Molecular Systems Chemistry and Engineering. Both universities deliver a shared core curriculum with lectures and seminars organised in connected classrooms, so you study alongside peers from both tracks and benefit from cross-campus interaction.

Key modules and preparatory training The core curriculum forms the backbone of the Master's phase and is complemented by specialisation-specific coursework at your chosen site. Before the programme starts, voluntary preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry, physical chemistry and statistics are offered to refresh essential quantitative and laboratory-related skills. During the Master's phase you are encouraged to undertake laboratory rotations at associated institutions to gain hands-on experience across different experimental and theoretical environments.

Learning outcomes and next steps By the end of the Master’s phase you will have developed interdisciplinary problem-solving abilities, practical laboratory and analytical skills, and competence in quantitative methods relevant to matter-to-life research. The programme supports you in building a research network and assigns a personal mentor to guide your academic progress. After successful completion of the Master’s programme you are eligible to proceed directly into the school’s three-year PhD track under the supervision of one of the school’s fellows.

Requirements (concise)

• Select a specialisation (Complex Systems & Biological Physics or Molecular Systems Chemistry & Engineering) — this determines your host university
• Complete the shared core curriculum and specialisation coursework
• Optional preparatory courses in math, chemistry, physical chemistry, and statistics are available before the programme starts
• Participate in recommended laboratory rotations to gain research experience
• Work with an assigned mentor throughout the programme
• Successfully finish the Master’s phase to continue into the three-year PhD under a school fellow

The programme is designed to lead directly into doctoral research and is ideal for students aiming for academic research careers at universities, Max Planck institutes and other research organisations. Completing the PhD phase prepares graduates to pursue independent research positions, postdoctoral roles, or leadership positions in academic groups.

Graduates are also well positioned for research and development roles in industry sectors that value interdisciplinary expertise—such as biotechnology, materials science, pharmaceuticals and advanced engineering—where combined training in quantitative methods, laboratory practice and cross-disciplinary collaboration is in demand.