PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

PhD (Dr-Ing or Dr rer nat)

Doctoral degree or degree awarded by

Ruhr University Bochum or University Duisburg-Essen

Course location

Düsseldorf

In cooperation with

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim/Ruhr
Ruhr University Bochum
University Duisburg-Essen

Teaching language

• English

Languages

The doctoral programme is conducted entirely in English.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Other

Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Beginning is in January each year or individually later.

Application deadline

There is one application round in September/October each year.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

Our structured, three-year doctoral programme, conducted entirely in English, takes an intensive interdisciplinary approach and brings together scientists from across the globe in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region of Germany.

Metallurgy has provided humankind with materials, tools and the associated progress for more than five millennia. It is not only a huge engineering success story but has also become the biggest single industrial environmental burden of our generation. Disruptive innovations are required for alternative reduction processes that convert mineral ores into metals without today’s carbon-based methods that release huge amounts of CO2. SusMet focuses on the exploration of carbon-free sustainable metallurgy, employing hydrogen as reducing agent, direct electroreduction (electrolysis), and plasma synthesis.

Correlated experimental, ab initio and multi-scale techniques are central to our mission:

• Development and application of advanced simulation techniques to explore and identify the fundamental structures and mechanisms occurring in these materials and their synthesis over all relevant length scales (e.g., cutting-edge ab initio methods, atomistic simulation methods, multi-scale modelling, machine learning)
• High resolution analysis, monitoring of chemistry, structure and transformations at the atomic scale of buried interfaces and defects by correlated experimental techniques in both space and time (e.g., correlated APT, TEM, FIM, EBIC, EBSD, XPS Kelvin probe microscopy, machine learning augmented analysis techniques)
• Experimental and computational analysis of transport and the reaction of surfaces and particles with reducing and oxidising gas-phase species (e.g. laser-based imaging diagnostics, setup of model reactors, modelling of underlying reactions, multi-scale simulation of reactive fluids, computational fluid dynamics)

Course organisation

The curriculum of the IMPRS SusMet contains several scientific and non-scientific elements and a close supervision. The elements of the curriculum bring the community of the SusMet students together. They deepen and extend the scientific knowledge, but they also enhance social competences and support the integration of the doctoral students in the scientific community and in Germany.

The SusMet Lectures give insight into the various aspects of modern materials science. There are two basic lectures:

• Basic materials-related aspects of sustainability
• Large-scale metallurgical processes

Additionally, there are six advanced lectures, from which the doctoral students select two:

• Materials science topics of a hydrogen-based economy
• Sustainable primary synthesis of aluminium and iron: electrolysis, plasma, and direct reduction
• The role of multi-scale modelling in metallurgical processes and materials sustainability
• Characterisation techniques for materials: from atomistics to the meso-scale
• Elementary mechanics and damage processes
• Component life extension: corrosion, stress-corrosion, abrasion, tribology, and fatigue

Furthermore, there are Welcome Days, the annual retreat, and workshops on specific SusMet-related topics as well as lab exchanges.
Additional non-scientific offerings include soft skill trainings, German language courses, and career development.

PDF Download

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

Special promotion / funding of the programme

• IMPRS

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Approx. 330 EUR per semester

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Funding is offered for three years:

• at the Max Planck Institutes: TVöD Bund EG 13 65%, about 39,000 EUR gross per year
• at University Duisburg-Essen: TV-L EG 13 65%, about 39,000 EUR gross per year
• at Ruhr University Bochum: scholarship of 2,050 EUR per month

Academic admission requirements

Excellent Master’s degree in materials science, physics, engineering or chemistry

We particularly encourage applications from candidates with a computational background.

Language requirements

The applicants must provide proof of their English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or the equivalent).

Application deadline

There is one application round in September/October each year.

Submit application to

Please apply online: https://www.mpie.de/2941513/admission

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory services and programmes for future professionals

There is a career development offering.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Visa matters
• Help with finding accommodation
• Support with registration procedures

General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

The programme coordination and the international offices at the partner institutes give all necessary support in bureaucratic matters and daily life in Germany. You will be supported with visa issues, finding appropriate accommodation, opening a bank account and so on.

There is also close supervision of all PhD projects with at least two supervisors from different departments or partner institutes and regular status meetings with the Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC).

Furthermore, there are Welcome Days, soft skill trainings and German language courses.

Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials
Max-Planck-Institut für Nachhaltige Materialien GmbH © Navyanth Kusampudi

Max Planck Institutes are known worldwide, and they offer state-of-the-art research facilities. The Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (formerly: "Eisenforschung") was established in 1917 with a focus on steels and other metallic alloys. Our institute underwent a significant transformation, reflecting our unwavering commitment to pioneering basic research on sustainable materials for energy, mobility, infrastructure, manufacturing, and medicine. With our 350-strong international team from over 35 countries, we are tackling one of today's most pressing challenges: transforming materials that are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental decline into green resources that drive a truly circular economy. We delve into the very structure of materials down to the atomic scale, crafting alloys that excel in real-world conditions. From using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels to extract metals, to devising endlessly recyclable materials and finding ways to extend material lifespans while reducing waste, we are at the forefront of innovation. Moreover, employing advanced techniques like artificial intelligence and machine learning, we are revolutionising material production, making it more efficient than ever before.

Location

The Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials and all of our partner institutes are located in the vibrant, culturally rich and diverse Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region of Germany, which is near the Netherlands, the Eifel – a volcanic low mountain range – and other pleasant regions.

Activate map

To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.

Show map