Information & Links

Lithium batteries that provide electric cars with power, superconductors that conduct electricity over long distances without loss, solar cells that harvest solar power – all of these examples are based on the electrical conductivity characteristics of solid materials. These are some of the phenomena which scientists investigate at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research. Solid state materials include metals, ceramics and even crystals of organic molecules. Just how the structures of these materials affect their electrical, mechanical and magnetic properties, is what solid state researchers seek to understand. To this end, the researchers particularly focus on solids at the nanoscale, which behave differently compared to materials in larger dimensions. In order to miniaturize electronic circuits even further or to prepare for the electronics that will follow on from the silicon era, the behaviour of these solids needs to be controlled.

The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is an independent, non-profit research organization. It was founded on February 26, 1948, and is the successor organization to the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, which was established in 1911.
The primary goal of the Max Planck Society is to promote basic research at its own institutes. It is not a government institution although it is funded to a large extent by the federal and state governments. Instead, it is a registered association and has its registered seat in Berlin. The Administrative Headquarters and office of the President are located in Munich.

This PhDnet portal serves as a platform for exchange among doctoral students at Max-Planck-Institutes. Regardless of their particular fields of research, all PhD students strive to maximize their achievements during the PhD period, to avail of and contribute to the scientific profile of their respective MPIs and to effectively plan their career.

The MPI for Solid State Research has a strong cooperation with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver (Canada). The Max Planck -- UBC Center organizes the scientific cooperation and the exchange of senior and junior researchers of both institutions.

The University of Stuttgart is one of the leading German technical research universities with a strong profile in engineering and natural sciences. For a long time it has put a major research focus on solid-state physics and chemistry. This strategic direction is strongly supported by a close and long-standing partnership with the MPI-FKF, and with other institutions on the Cooperative Research Campus Stuttgart. The Faculty of Chemistry and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics are the main partners of the IMPRS-CMS. The doctoral degree will be conferred to successful fellows of the research school by the University of Stuttgart.

GradUS is the Graduate Academy of the Universität Stuttgart and direct partner of the IMPRS-CMS.

The MSc in PHYSICS is a Master of Science programme in general physics which is taught in English. PHYSICS addresses all holders of a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, international students as well as German students who would like to study in an international environment. PHYSICS is offered by the Department of Physics of the Universität Stuttgart. The IMPRS-CMS is a close cooperation partner of the program and offers stipends for some of the master students.

The IO of the University provides information and support for international students concerning studying and living in Stuttgart and services of the Department of International Education Services.

The portal “Research in Germany” is the central information platform of the initiative to "Promote Innovation and Research in Germany" by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The aim of the internet portal is to give an overview of the German research landscape and funding system.

DAAD is the German national agency for the support of international academic cooperation. The service offers programs and funding for students, faculty, researchers and others with higher education. In many countries you will find an office of the DAAD.

A very useful guide for the German education system is studying-in-germany.org. The website contains detailed and very accurate information about studying in Germany in 10 different languages.

The AvH Foundation supports experienced researchers from all over the world with funds for stays in Germany. There also some very well honorable stipends for senior scientists like the Humboldt Professur.

The Euraxess program for junior researchers is now hosted at the National Coordination Point (DLR).

The web pages of the Federal Foreign Office are one of the best sources to discover Germany by the internet. This link provides information about visa regulations and a direct link to a German Embassy in your home country.

Stuttgart is the state capital of Baden-Württemberg with around 580.000 residents. This page provides a lot of useful information about the town, culture and facilities in Stuttgart.