The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the Universities of Stuttgart and Tübingen collaborate to offer an interdisciplinary doctoral program, the International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems (IMPRS-IS). This doctoral program will accept its 10th generation of doctoral researchers in 2026.
This school is a key element of the German state of Baden-Württemberg’s Cyber Valley initiative to accelerate basic research and commercial development in the broad areas of artificial intelligence and robotics, to which also control systems belongs.
The full list of topics includes:
Artificial Intelligence
Biomedical Technology
Computational Cognitive Science
Computer Vision and Graphics
Control Systems and Optimization
Data Science and Visualization
Haptics and Human-Computer Interaction
Machine Learning
Micro- and Nano-Robotics
Natural Language Processing
Neuroscience
Perceptual Inference
Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
Soft Robotics and Materials
There is a broad list of renowned IMPRS-IS faculty that include control researchers Frank Allgöwer, Andrea Iannelli (University of Stuttgart) and Michael Muehlebach (MPI Tübingen). The research fields and websites of all members of the IMPRS-IS faculty and associated faculty are shown at https://imprs.is.mpg.de/faculty
Intelligent systems that can successfully perceive, act, control and learn in complex environments hold great potential for aiding society. We seek doctoral students who are curious, creative, and passionate about research to join our school and help advance human knowledge about intelligent systems.
Admitted students can join our program starting in 2026.
You will be mentored by our internationally renowned faculty.
You will register as a university doctoral student and conduct research.
IMPRS-IS offers a wide variety of scientific seminars, workshops, and social activities.
All aspects of our program are in English.
Your doctoral degree will be conferred when you successfully complete your doctoral project.
Our dedicated staff members will assist you throughout your time as a doctoral student.
¯IMPRS-IS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, gender identity, or any other non-job-related criteria. We believe in the importance of a multicultural community of students, faculty, and staff who seek to advance our commitment to diversity and inclusion. IMPRS-IS strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
Admission will be competitive. If selected, you will receive funding via an employment contract, subject to the rules of the Max Planck Society and the two participating universities.
You can apply at https://imprs.is.mpg.de/application. The deadline to apply is November 16, 2025 (End of Day, AoE). Finalists will be invited to selection interviews that will take place from February 5 to February 13, 2026.
For further information, please visit https://imprs.is.mpg.de
