IMPRS UFAST is a doctoral school run jointly by the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Universität Hamburg, DESY and European XFEL.
The 2026/2027 call offers 23 PhD projects in ultrafast science and quantum materials, from light-matter interaction to X-ray imaging. Doctoral candidates do their research in Hamburg, join workshops and skills training, and register at Universität Hamburg.
Benefits & funding
- A work contract whose monthly salary, the school says, covers living costs including housing and insurance.
- No tuition fees; a semester fee of about €310 to Universität Hamburg includes a local transport ticket.
- Travel and accommodation for shortlisted candidates at the Candidate Workshop are covered.
- Scientific workshops and transferable-skills training alongside the project.
Eligibility
- Open to candidates worldwide; no nationality or residence rule is stated.
- An M.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry or Biochemistry, held or about to be received; it must be awarded before the PhD starts.
- An English test (usually TOEFL or IELTS) if English is not your first language; it may be waived after a degree from an English-teaching institution, and results must be in by 6 November 2026.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
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Application process
- 1Choose up to two of the 23 open projects.
- 2Submit the online form by 6 November 2026 with CV, a one-page motivation letter, a one-page Master’s thesis abstract and transcripts; email or post applications are not accepted.
- 3Two referees send letters by 12 November 2026.
- 4Shortlisted candidates present their earlier research at a three-day workshop in Hamburg and meet supervisors.
Program timeline
Application deadline
6 Nov 2026
Recommendation letters due
12 Nov 2026
Candidate Workshop, Hamburg
8–10 Feb 2027
Final decisions
End Feb 2027
Official start (late summer to early autumn preferred)
1 Oct 2027