Online since 2026-02-09

Scholarships for Master studies at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

Application until2026-03-22

Work startOctober 1, 2026

Students with an excellent Bachelor degree, who are interested in our IMPRS SysProSus structured PhD program, can apply for a scholarship to pursue their Master studies at the Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg.

The International Max Planck Research School for Systems and Process Engineering for a Sustainable Chemical Production (IMPRS SysProSus) is a graduate school jointly run by the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems (MPI) and the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU). In our structured PhD program, talented junior scientists have the opportunity to obtain a doctorate under excellent research conditions, a multidisciplinary environment and close scientific supervision.

Having a Master degree is essential to start a PhD in the IMPRS SysProSus. Therefore, we support highly motivated students with an excellent Bachelor degree to pursue their Master studies at the OVGU. We look forward to them joining us afterwards as doctoral researchers.

Which financial support is offered?

The scholarship comprises 992 Euro per month for a maximum of 18 months. During the Master thesis project in one of the the research groups of the IMPRS SysProSus, you can be equipped with a working contract as a scientific assistant (580 - 1.180 Euro per month, depending on the amount of time you work for the research group). However, the working contract cannot be concluded parallel to the scholarship.

Please be aware, that enrollment in one of the relevant Master programs at OVGU is mandatory in order to receive the scholarship.

Which Master programs are offered?

The OVGU offers a variety of

Master programs

. Among them, 3 programs in English language are closely related to the research fields of the IMPRS SysProSus:

• Chemical and Energy Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
• Computational Methods in Engineering

From the German Master programs, these 8 are related to our research fields:

• Biosystemtechnik
• Chemieingenieurwesen: Molekulare und Strukturelle Produktgestaltung
• Elektro-und Informationstechnik
• Mathematik
• Nachhaltige Energiesysteme
• Nachhaltige Verfahrens- und Umwelttechnik
• Systemtechnik und Technische Kybernetik

What is the connection between the Master program and the IMPRS SysProSus?

It is intended that you conduct your Master thesis project in one of the research groups of the IMPRS SysProSus, e.g. the research group where you would like to pursue your PhD studies afterwards.

However, there is no automatism to be accepted for the PhD program of the IMPRS SysProSus. Before finishing your Master studies, you need to apply for our PhD program and you will automatically be invited to the selection colloquium where all pre-selected applicants present themselves and their research to the selection committee.

How do I apply for the scholarship?

Please fill in our

online application form

for the scholarships. The rest of the process is equivalent to the PhD application. We will have a pre-selection until May 8, 2026 and decide whom to invite for the selection colloquium. The online selection colloquium takes place in June 2026 (exact date tba). The final decision will be taken shortly afterwards.