PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Doctoral degree (Dr rer nat or Dr rer pol)

Doctoral degree or degree awarded by

Universität Hamburg

Course location

Hamburg

In cooperation with

Universität Hamburg

Teaching language

• English

Languages

Courses are mainly held in English.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Other

Application deadline

The annual call for applications opens 1 July and ends 15 September. Online registration is required prior to application: https://mpimet.mpg.de/en/career/imprs-esm .

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The IMPRS-ESM is committed to promoting young researchers of the Earth System Sciences and to supporting interdisciplinary doctoral studies as well as international co-operations. The IMPRS-ESM is based on the partnership between the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the Universität Hamburg.

The IMPRS-ESM offers interdisciplinary PhD studies in the comprehensive field of Earth System Modelling, with emphasis on the interactions between the natural and the human systems. The scientific subject is the development, application and evaluation of a hierarchy of Earth system models on different temporal and spatial scales to answer key questions of global change. Doctoral candidates of the IMPRS-ESM contribute to the development and application of Earth system models and/or model components. They apply mathematical models to answer specific research questions, analysing dynamics and processes in the natural system and its interaction with the anthroposphere. The school comprises institutions and scientists from the broad field of Earth Sciences as well as from Economics and Social Sciences.

Course organisation

The IMPRS-ESM offers a structured, international PhD programme. As such, it focuses on individual research and academic training of doctoral candidates. An essential aspect of the IMPRS-ESM is that each doctoral study is supervised and guided by an advisory panel of three to four senior scientists who are experts in the chosen field of the PhD study. Doctoral fellows will spend most of their time carrying out their specific research and discussing their results and/or encountered difficulties with fellow students and supervisors.

Doctoral candidates are encouraged to participate in external scientific opportunities such as conferences, workshops and summer schools, presenting their own research. To broaden general knowledge of the Earth system, the school offers a curriculum of lectures, seminars and hands-on training courses. The curriculum varies each semester and is largely tailored to the needs of PhD candidates. The current course offers can be found on the IMPRS-ESM website. Doctoral candidates are required to obtain 12 IMPRS-ESM credit points before submitting their theses. Furthermore, they are encouraged to present and discuss their projects and results to all researchers at the MPI-M and the university at a regular seminar meeting. Once a year, doctoral candidates present their most recent results to fellow students and senior scientists during the IMPRS-ESM Annual Retreat.

The IMPRS-ESM is guided by an Executive Committee and the Head of the school. The IMPRS-ESM office runs the daily administrative affairs. The school recruits applicants internationally on an annual basis and admits new doctoral candidates following a competitive selection process. Doctoral positions are offered for the duration of three years. International PhD candidates receive special support during the transition phase to help them get started in Germany and are offered German language classes.

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

Diverse intercultural background of students

Our PhD candidates are very international - around 50% are German and 50% come from abroad.

Integrated internships

Not required by the IMPRS-ESM

Teaching/work obligations or opportunities

There is no obligation to teach. However, if desired, positions as teaching assistant can be searched for.

Special promotion / funding of the programme

• IMPRS

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

Yes

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

There is a semester fee of 332 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

Costs of living

We recommend that single PhD candidates budget at least 1,000 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, books).

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Our PhD positions are fully funded. Monthly payments amount to around 2,040 EUR in the first year and 2,170 EUR in the second and third year (net payments, after tax).

Academic admission requirements

A Master's degree (including a written thesis) or a comparable academic qualification in the broad field of Earth System Sciences: physics, geophysical sciences (including meteorology and oceanography), chemistry, ecology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, economics, or political science

Since the programme focuses strongly on numerical simulations, candidates with computer literacy (e.g. Unix environment, Python programming or other programming languages) will be given priority.

Language requirements

The IMPRS-ESM offers an English PhD programme. Applicants must possess a high level of proficiency in written and oral English. Language skills can be demonstrated in the quality of the application documents and during the interview.

Some basic knowledge of the German language is recommended. German language classes are organised and partly financed via the IMPRS-ESM.

Application deadline

The annual call for applications opens 1 July and ends 15 September. Online registration is required prior to application: https://mpimet.mpg.de/en/career/imprs-esm .

Submit application to

https://mpimet.mpg.de/en/career/imprs-esm

Accommodation

The IMPRS-ESM strives to assist new scholars in finding accommodation upon their arrival. Some PhD candidates choose to share a flat with others. After a successful start, doctoral candidates are personally responsible for finding long-term accommodation to their liking.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Buddy programme
• Visa matters

Supervisor-student ratio

Each PhD candidate has an advisory panel of three to four scientists.

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