The PhD program at IMPRS-TRUST is divided into an orientation phase, a preparation phase, and a dissertation phase.

The program leads to a doctoral degree from one of the participating universities and is open to students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science (or an equivalent degree). Admitted students receive full funding to cover their living expenses and tuition fees. Students admitted to IMPRS-TRUST can enroll at either Saarland University or at RPTU Kaiserslautern.

PhD projects are jointly supervised by scientists of the two Max Planck Institutes and their colleagues at the computer science departments at Saarland University and RPTU Kaiserslautern.

Application

Applications are to be submitted through the IMPRS-TRUST online application system; both partner universities are involved in the admissions process. Shortlisted applicants are typically asked to deliver a 15-minute (online) research presentation, followed by a question and answer session. Application Talks are held twice a year: in February (application deadline end-December) and in August (application deadline end-June). Please check our front page for information about the exact date of the current application deadline. Applications can be submitted all year.

Research Areas

Research topics are available in numerous research areas:

Research groups at the MPI for Informatics
Research groups at the MPI for Software Systems
Research groups at the Department of Computer Science at Saarland University
Research groups at the Department of Computer Science at RPTU Kaiserslautern

MPI for Informatics staff
MPI for Software Systems staff

Additional Study Options:

PhD Program of the Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science
PhD Program in Computer Science at RPTU Kaiserslautern
Master’s Programs of the Computer Science Department of Saarland University
Master’s Programs at the Computer Science Department of RPTU Kaiserslautern