22 oct 2025 - 18:59 CET

The International Max Planck Research School for Quantum Science and Technology (IMPRS-QST) and the Munich Quantum Valley (MQV) are glad to announce the open call for several fully funded PhD fellowships starting from Fall 2026. We invite excellent young scientists to seize this career opportunity and to apply to join us for their PhD in quantum science and technology.

About IMPRS-QST and MQV:

IMPRS-QST, a collaboration between the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and the Technical University of Munich, offers a comprehensive graduate program with an array of basic and advanced courses. The program includes multiple scientific activities and soft skills training courses, tailored to the interests and needs of the students. The IMPRS-QST has an extensive cooperation and exchange with other graduate programs, building an international and interdisciplinary environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. IMPRS fellowships are partly funded by the Munich Centre for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST), which is an excellence cluster offering funding, support programs, conferences and many other opportunities for those within the community.

The Munich Quantum Valley, on the other hand, is dedicated to advancing quantum science and quantum technologies in Bavaria, with a primary focus on developing competitive quantum computers and bringing quantum technology to industrial applications. MQV doctoral fellows selected through the open call will have the freedom to choose any research group involved in Quantum Science and Technology across Bavarian universities, ensuring a diverse and dynamic research experience. The doctoral fellows of Munich Quantum Valley have access to courses and events from other quantum programs and MQV-partners, including IMPRS-QST and MCQST programs in Munich.

Fields of Research:

The research fields covered by IMPRS-QST and MQV include but are not limited to:

• Atomic physics and quantum optics
• Solid-state physics and material science
• Quantum information theory
• Quantum many-body systems
• Quantum-related fields of electrical engineering and computer science

Who Should Apply:

We welcome outstanding applications from candidates with a Masters degree (or equivalent) to be completed by the end of September 2026. Whether from the field of physics, engineering, or computer science, we encourage talented and dedicated students who are committed to pushing the boundaries of quantum science and technology to apply. There are no tuition fees, and all PhD positions are fully funded for three years.

It is possible to apply for one or both fellowships. Applications for both fellowships will be considered in parallel by separate committees in Spring 2026.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Both IMPRS-QST and MQV programs are committed to recruiting exceptional students from diverse backgrounds and meeting them with openness and respect. We explicitly encourage female candidates to apply and extend our welcome to students from all countries. We believe that diversity drives innovation, and we look forward to welcoming a cohort of students with unique perspectives.

Application Deadline: 15 January 2026.

For more information and to apply, please visit our application portal, as well as the IMPRS-QST and MQV websites.