2026 Max Planck Insitute PhD Student or Postdoc Scholarship In Physical organic chemistry

The Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim an der Ruhr is a renowned research institution that is engaged in basic research in the field of catalysis. The research program Fundamental Principles of Organic Reactivity founded by Guanqi Qiu invites applications for a position as a PhD student or Postdoc in physical organic chemistry.

The Qiu group focuses on conceptualizing new principles of organic reactivity and catalysis. The research program is not bound by any particular chemical transformation, yield, or selectivity. The goal is to demonstrate the concept through flexible sets of chemical reactions, and eventually generalize the concept towards a reaction design principle.

This position is funded by ERC Starting Grant 2025 IntrinsicR.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNovember 15, 2025
• Study LevelPhD , Postdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorMax Planck Institute
• City to studyBavaria
• School to studyMax Planck Institute
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• The funding is typically 3 years for PhD and 2 years for postdoc, with the possibility to extend if the scientific progress and funding permits. Postdocs are strongly encouraged to apply for external fellowships (e.g., Humboldt, MSCA) during the first year of the contract.
• You will benefit from a research program that takes a unique perspective on chemical reactivity, supported by the department’s excellent experimental infrastructure and intellectual resources, along with plenty of possibilities for personal and professional development.

The position will be available from January 12th 2026, but the starting date is flexible. Current final-semester Master’s and PhD students are encouraged to apply.  

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• a Master’s or PhD degree in organic chemistry or experimental physical chemistry broadly defined
• basic knowledge of physical chemistry and organic chemistry
• excellent English language and communication skills
• an exploratory mindset for epistemic challenges and dedication to open-ended thinking

The Qiu group generally welcomes applicants from both experimental and computational backgrounds. For this particular opening, experimentalists are preferred. Computational postdoc applicants are encouraged to inquire about host support for fellowship applications, or watching for future openings.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Please send your letter of motivation, CV, and college record (for PhD candidates) or research summary (for Postdoc candidates) to Guanqi Qiu via email ([email protected]). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide two letters of reference.

For more information, kindly visit Max Planck Institute scholarship webpage.