Doctoral Programme in the Field of Cognition

At Max Planck School of Cognition, applications are due 1 Dec.

The Doctoral Programme in the Field of Cognition at the Max Planck School of Cognition is an 8-semester structured doctoral programme based in Leipzig, Germany, beginning in the winter semester. The programme bridges disciplines including artificial intelligence, biology, cognitive neuroscience, genetics, linguistics, mathematics, neurobiology, neuroimaging, neurology, neurophysics, philosophy, physics, psychiatry, and psychology, and is aimed at candidates from diverse academic backgrounds. The first year places significant emphasis on teaching and laboratory rotations. Doctoral candidates complete rotations in three different labs affiliated with Max Planck School of Cognition fellows, which allows them to explore multiple research groups before committing to a host lab. Coursework in the first year is delivered through a combination of e-learning modules covering the essentials and four in-person academies — a welcome week at the start of the year followed by three week-long academies held every third month at different locations across Germany. At the end of the first year, candidates undergo an evaluation before advancing to the research phase. From the second year onward, students work with their supervisors to develop a project proposal, which is presented to a thesis advisory committee for approval before the research project begins. The doctoral degree is awarded by the university to which the successful candidate's supervisor is affiliated. Applications open in September each year, with a deadline of 1 December. The programme is based at the Max Planck School of Cognition, with activities across multiple sites in Germany, including Leipzig.