Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the application
Will my master degree be recognized by your institution?
The PhD degree is given by the Leibniz Universität Hannover, and therefore their official admission rules apply. Our IMPRS students enroll in either the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics or at the QUEST Leibniz Research School.
Can I apply before I obtain my official master’s degree?
Yes, you can send your application before you have the official degree. The only condition is that you should hold your master’s degree when you start here.
Does the Max Planck institute award the doctoral degree?
Doctoral degrees are awarded by the university. If you are accepted in our IMPRS-Hannover, you will also have to enroll at Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH). However you do not need to apply to LUH at the time of applying to the IMPRS. You have to matriculate at LUH only after you have been accepted in the IMPRS. The final admission to our IMPRS is contingent on your being able to obtain admission as a doctoral student at LUH.
How does the IMPRS PhD work?
The doctoral training within the IMPRS is primarily focused on research. Mandatory IMPRS Lecture Week series provide opportunities to learn basic topics of all fields of Gravitational Wave Astronomy. Various professional skills seminars, media training opportunities and career oriented events are offered.
How long does it take to get the PhD?
The expected time is 3 to 4 years, extensions are possible in excpetional circumstances. For the maximum duration of the PhD thesis, our IMPRS is bound by the guidelines for a good supervision of PhD candidates at Leibniz Universität Hannover.
Is there a tuition fee?
There are no fees at the Max Planck Institute. At Leibniz Universität Hannover, you will pay a semester fee for about 400 Euro per semester.
What kind of financial aids do you offer?
For all students (of any nationality) based at AEI we offer a working contract following the rules of the collective wage agreement “Tarifvertrag öffentlicher Dienst” that includes contributions to health insurance, pension funds and is taxable. Extra payment for children is possible.
Does the Max Planck Institute offer students' residences?
There are no student residences for graduate students.
Do I need to take an English language test?
We expect all applicants to have a good knowledge of the English language which is at the basis of the research work at the insitute. We however do not require any language test. If you have a test result, you can of course include it in your application.
What is the deadline for applications?
There is no deadline for applications.
When will I be informed about the outcome of my application?
After your application material is complete, it will be reviewed by our directors and supervisors. The maximum time between application and offer of a position can be up to six weeks. Please take this into account when submitting your application.
Do I need to ask my referees to send their letters?
You should make sure that your referees agree to send their letters. After you have submitted your application online, they get an automatic email with instructions how to upload the letter. Please inform them that they should expect such an email, so that it is not ignored.
Do I need to apply for financial support separately?
No, every applicant is considered also for financial support.
Do I need to provide certified translations of my transcripts and degrees?
At the point of your application, you do not need a certified translation. You can put scans of your original documents, and provide a list of your transcripts in English (along with an explanation of the meaning of the grades, e.g. you should specify the scale of the marks: what is the lowest/highest possible mark). You might be required to provide an official translation later in case you are selected.
What should I write in my essay? Do I need to describe a specific research proposal? How long should it be?
The essay should describe your motivation why you want to come to our institute. You do not have to go far back in your past and motivate your choice from your childhood, but you can motivate it from the interests you developed during your studies and from the courses you took. You do not need to have a concrete research idea, we only want to get an impression of your general interests and motivations. Half a page is usually a good length, and it should certainly not be longer than one page.
If I am about to finish my master degree, can I put it in the field “Highest degree obtained”?
Yes, you can put the degree you are expected to obtain with the foreseen date.
Can I make more than one application specifying different preferred advisors?
Please only submit one application, but you can enter several names in the entry 'Preferred advisor'.
What should I put in the field “Comments”?
You do not need to put anything. This field can be used for additional important comments, e.g. if you could come with your own fellowship, or if you will not be available for interview in a certain period, or if you can only name one referee, or if you have a clarifying remark regarding your application material.
In my master program I can choose between a written thesis/essay, and more advanced courses. What is better for my application?
We would always advise you to choose a written thesis, in which you can make your first research experience. Also, a letter from your thesis advisor will always be more important than letters from lecturers who only know you from the courses.