FAQs: Postdoc Program

This FAQ is intended for informational purposes only. It does not establish any rights or obligations regarding employment opportunities. All employment decisions remain at the sole discretion of the employer.

A. Target Group

Who is the Max Planck Postdoc Program aimed at?

The Max Planck Postdoc Program is aimed at excellent early-career researchers who hold a PhD from all disciplines worldwide. Applicants from all countries and backgrounds are welcome. As an open and diverse organization, the MPG is characterized by a high proportion of international scientists, its decentralized structures, and the subject-specific needs of its three scientific sections. Valuing and promoting all MPG employees - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, social background, and the need to balance work and family life - is an overarching organizational development goal of all personnel development and career measures at the MPG. Applications from people with severe disabilities are strongly encouraged.

Is there an age limit or restriction regarding career stage?

There is no formal age limit. Applicants are expected to hold a PhD (or be close to completion) and meet the specific requirements outlined in the respective position description.

Can I apply if my PhD is not yet completed?

Yes. Applications are possible without a finalized PhD diploma, provided it can be submitted within a reasonable time. As project requirements may vary, please pay attention to the description and requirements of the specific vacancy you are applying to. In case of any doubts, please contact the person listed in the job description.

Is the Max Planck Postdoc Program only open to scientists from Germany?

No. The Max Planck Society is looking for the best and most motivated and talented scientists worldwide. Applications from both national and international candidates are equally welcome. As an open and diverse organization, the MPG is characterized by a high proportion of international scientists, its decentralized structures and the subject-specific needs of its three scientific sections. Valuing and promoting all MPG employees regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, social background, and the need to balance work and family life, is an overarching organizational development goal of all personnel development and career measures at the MPG. Applications from people with severe disabilities are strongly encouraged.

B. Application Process

Where can I find open positions?

All open positions within the Max Planck Postdoc Program are published exclusively on the online application portal during each call: https://postdocprogram.mpg.de. Positions can be filtered by research field and location.

Is there one central application for the program?

No. The program offers specific postdoctoral positions at various institutes during each call (twice a year). Applicants do not apply to the program as a whole, but to specific advertised positions within each call. The participating MPIs and available positions may change with each call.

Is it possible to submit project proposals or unsolicited applications?

No. The program is based on project-specific postdoctoral positions made available by our Principal Investigators according to their very needs. Therefore, each call compiles a different set of positions and varies depending on the needs of the PIs and institutes.

Do the application documents have to be written in English?

Yes, the Principal Investigators (PIs) are international members of the Max Planck Society. Therefore, we can only accept applications and letters of recommendation written in English. Similarly, if your selected position requires the submission of papers, only papers published in English can be accepted for the same reason.

When can I apply?

Applications can only be submitted during official call periods, which usually occur twice a year (in spring and autumn). To ensure a fair competition for all we neither accept applications submitted outside of the call period nor unsolicited applications. Also, we do not process documents sent to our mail address due to security concerns. Please make use of your application portal. Thank you for your cooperation.

How does the application process work?

Applicants submit their applications via the online portal. After the closure of our call, our Principal Investigators and other colleagues responsible for the recruitment process will assess all applications. This process typically takes at least three months. The time taken to notify applicants can vary by institute.

Can I apply for more than one position?

Yes, you can apply for multiple positions. To do this, you can open a second application and automatically transfer the information you provided in the first application to the application portal.

Which documents are required?

Applicants upload their documents once, all in English.
Unless otherwise specified in the job posting for the specific position, the following documents are required:

Curriculum Vitae,
Summary of previous research experience,
Motivation statement explaining your interest in the position,
Email addresses of 2–3 referees (if requested in the position description).

Please always consult the specific position description for exact requirements.

Which institutes are participating in the call?

The Max Planck Postdoc Program is rooted in project-specific postdoctoral positions offered by our Principal Investigators. They form part of our scientific community and are located at one or more of our institutes. Check the vacancy of interest to find out more about the institute(s) involved.

What should be written in the research summary?

You will be required to provide a one-page summary of your current and previous research experience to enable an expert to assess your research background.

Can I modify my application after the deadline?

It is not possible to make adjustments after the deadline has passed. This includes all application documents. Requests to correct information cannot be processed either. Please ensure that you submit the correct documents before the application deadline.

You can edit before the deadline. If you have already submitted your application, you must withdraw it and submit a corrected version before the deadline. We recommend cloning your application in advance to save time.

What are the prospects for subsequent career development?

After completing the Max Planck Postdoc Program, several subsequent career paths within the Max Planck Society are possible. Depending on performance, research profile and strategic fit, postdocs may pursue fixed-term scientific staff or project leader positions, apply for independent research group leader programs, or pursue external, industry-oriented career options.

Given the diversity of institutes and career models within the Max Planck Society, the most appropriate and realistic next step is highly individual. Therefore, the best possible route for subsequent career development is determined in close consultation with the scientific mentor, taking into account research achievements, long-term career goals, and available opportunities. This process is strongly supported by the career development services of the Max Planck Postdoc Program, including mentoring, career counseling, and professional development resources, which help postdocs identify and prepare for suitable internal or external career pathways.

What is the salary or fellowship amount?

Employment and remuneration follow the German public service pay scale (TVöD), depending on qualifications and personal circumstances. Benefits are in line with public service standards. For an overview, please consult: https://www.research-in-germany.org/plan-your-stay/finances/salary.html.

C. Letters of recommendation

Who can be a referee?

Referees should be able to assess your academic achievements. Letters may come from individuals affiliated with the Max Planck Society or from external referees. If one referee is a Max Planck Director, the second referee must not be affiliated with the Max Planck Society. Former affiliations count if they ended less than six years ago. Referees can be former supervisors who can evaluate your work.

What should be written in the letter of recommendation?

There is no template or formal guideline for the letters of recommendation. Your two chosen referees should evaluate you and your work and write a letter of recommendation for you explaining why you are well-suited for the desired position.

Please note that not all positions require letters of recommendation. Always consult the specific job description for details of the exact requirements.

How many letters of recommendation are required?

The number of required letters of recommendation depends on the position. Please check the respective position description or contact the listed contact person. In some cases, no letter of recommendation is necessary.

How should the letter of recommendation be submitted?

We ask referees to upload their letters of recommendation directly to the portal to ensure content integrity and maintain confidentiality. Applicants should generally not have access to these letters, as confidentiality is essential for referees to provide honest and candid evaluations. This is a standard we strictly uphold. Please note that only electronic letters of recommendation (in PDF format), submitted directly by referees through the online portal, will be accepted.

You may invite referees via the application portal by providing their names and email addresses. The portal will automatically send them an email with instructions on how to upload their letter and submit the link. You will be notified once a referee has successfully uploaded their letter. You can submit your application before receiving the letters, but all letters of recommendation must be uploaded by the application deadline. We strongly recommend contacting your referees well in advance. The deadline for letters of recommendation is not extendable.

Can you reuse my letter of recommendation from my previous application?

For data protection reasons, all application documents are deleted once the selection process is finalized. Reusing letters of recommendation or other materials from previous applications is not possible. We kindly ask you to request new letters to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate assessment of your qualifications.

What if a referee did not upload the letter in time?

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Please ensure you request your referees’ support well in advance and follow up regularly to remind them of the deadline. Maintain ongoing communication with your referees throughout the process, and if necessary, identify an alternative referee should one be unable to submit their letter. All letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline—late submissions will not be considered.

My referee did not receive an automatically generated email for the upload of the letter of recommendation. What should I do?

Please check the contact details you have provided us with. Reload the page and resend the request on our portal. If your referee still does not receive any email, even after checking their spam folder, please ask your referee to provide an alternative email address.

My referee says the link does not work anymore. What should I do?

Please note that upload links are for single use only and are valid prior to the deadline only. If the referee requires a new link to upload the letter, please repeat the process of sending out a request via the application portal and provide the required information.

D. Selection and Evaluation

How does the selection process work?

Applications are reviewed by the Principal Investigator (PI) of the respective projects. Successful candidates will be invited to an interview. Due to fairness and transparency, no intermediate status updates are provided during the evaluation process. The details of the selection process may vary depending on the specific procedures of the institute and the respective PI.

How long does the evaluation take?

Applicants are typically informed of the outcome within eight to ten weeks after the application deadline. In some cases, decisions may take longer due to institute-specific procedures. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from inquiring about their application status. For reasons of fairness, we are unable to provide individual updates or comments on specific applications.

Can I receive individual feedback on my application?

Although we fully understand your interest in individual feedback, we kindly ask for your understanding that, due to the high volume of applications, it is not feasible for us to provide detailed comments on submitted documents. Each application undergoes multiple evaluation stages and is assessed by the respective PIs of the host institutes and relevant experts. Regrettably, in the comprehensive review of all applications, some may not meet the threshold for advancement.

Is the starting date flexible if selected?

Yes, the start date is subject to individual agreement with the respective Max Planck Institute after an offer has been made.

Am I also entitled to submit applications to other research organizations at the same time as I am making my application to the Max Planck Society?

Yes. It would, however, we would greatly appreciate it, if you were to inform them of any such applications.

Can I reapply if I missed a deadline or was unsuccessful?

Yes, you may submit a new application with updated documents and fresh letters of recommendation in the next call. Please note that we are unable to provide any feedback, including expert opinions or evaluation remarks, from your previous application, neither upon request nor under any circumstances. For data protection and procedural reasons, we cannot retrieve or reuse any documents from prior applications.

I have received a rejection mail. What now?

The Max Planck Postdoc Program is a highly competitive program attracting top-qualified candidates from all over the world. Current success rates hover around two to three percent, which we – from the perspective of an employer – highly appreciate. Having received a rejection mail is a consequence of such a highly competitive situation and does not diminish you personal or academic qualities. There are many ways to work with us. Please check our job portal and upcoming calls. You may be more successful next time.

E. Dual Career, Family & Support Services

Does the Max Planck Society support dual-career couples?

Yes. The Max Planck Society is committed to supporting dual-career couples. Target-group-specific services are offered.

For postdoctoral researchers and their partners a Dual Career Handbook is available on the intranet and postdocs can register for an interactive workshop focusing on Dual Career support, knowledge transfer and peer exchange in small groups.

The Max Planck Society is also a member of several Dual Career networks on local, regional, national and international level. In addition, Max Planck Institutes might provide guidance on local labour markets or regional activities for (professional) networking. The Society is continuously expanding and improving its dual-career initiatives.
Please visit https://www.mpg.de/24885930/dual-career for further information and contact details for the Dual Career team.

What childcare options are available?

The Max Planck Society supports researchers with families through a range of childcare-related services. Depending on the location, institutes may offer on-site childcare facilities, partnerships with local daycare providers, or assistance in securing suitable childcare placements. Some institutes also provide emergency childcare options. The availability and scope of these services vary by institute and region. For detailed information on specific support measures, please visit the website of the respective Max Planck Institute, as well as the Society’s dedicated resource on family and career: https://www.mpg.de/11723196/work-life-balance.

Are there family-friendly working conditions?

Yes. The Max Planck Society places a strong emphasis on family-friendly working environments. Flexible working hours and family-related leave options are generally possible, subject to agreement with the hosting institute and in accordance with German labour regulations. Please have a look at the respective German labour regulations here: https://www.eu-gleichbehandlungsstelle.de/eugs-en/eu-citizens/information-center/family-and-children.

Are there specific support offers for international postdocs and families?

Yes. Many Max Planck Institutes provide comprehensive onboarding support for international researchers and their families. This may include assistance with visas and residence permits, finding housing, registering with local authorities, health insurance and integration into the local community. For more information, refer to each Max Planck Institute’s International Office website and the general site of the international offices of the Society: https://www.mpg.de/23563715/the-international-offices. You may also want to have a look at our guide for international researchers: https://www.mpg.de/4311252/living-and-working-in-germany.pdf.

Where can I find more information on family and support services?

Detailed information on local offers is provided by the hosting institute. General information on family support, equal opportunities, and work–life balance within the Max Planck Society can be found on the MPG website under https://www.mpg.de/279039/good-reasons-to-choose-max-planck. Additional details may also be shared after an offer has been made.

Are there mentoring, career development, or networking offers for postdocs?

Yes. Postdocs in the Max Planck Postdoc Program benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including access to the central Max Planck PostdocNet (https://www.postdocnet.mpg.de/) and your individual program management tool “My PostdocHub” with guided mentoring, training workshops, leadership and career skills courses, networking events and much more. For a first impression of our general training and development offers, please visit: https://www.mpg.de/14267434/training-career-development.

F. Technical Issues

I encounter difficulties in using the application portal. What should I do?

If you encounter any problem during the application process, please read our FAQ carefully. If you cannot find answers to your questions, make sure to reach out to us in a reasonable time before call closure. Due to the amount of interest in the Max Planck Postdoc Program we might not be able to return to you in time. Thank you for your understanding.

I cannot create an account on the application portal.

The application portal is only accessible during the active call period. To begin, you must first register on the portal, after which you will receive a registration code via email. Please allow up to 45 minutes for the email to arrive, and remember to check your spam or junk folder. If the registration link does not appear, try using a different email address. If you have applied previously, you may already be registered—simply request a new password to access your account.

I cannot log in to my account on the application portal anymore.

Please try accessing the portal using a different browser or device. If the issue persists, try resetting your password.

I forgot my password.

No problem. Use the reset option and create a new password.

My referee did not receive an automatically generated email for the upload of the letter of recommendation.

Please verify that the correct contact details have been entered in the application portal. Refresh the page and resend the invitation link through the portal. If your referee still does not receive the email—even after checking their spam folder—and the issue continues, kindly ask them to provide an alternative email address and try the process again.

I am a referee and the link does not work anymore.

Please note that upload links are single-use only and remain valid only until the application deadline. If a new link is needed for uploading the letter of recommendation, please contact the applicant. They can generate and resend a fresh link directly through the online portal.