Applicants with a five-year Master’s degree accepted into the IMPRS for Astrophysics will receive either a PhD employment contract or a studentship. The exact type of contract and the corresponding salary depend on the host institution of the doctoral research — the Max Planck Institutes (MPE or MPA), the University Observatory Munich (USM/LMU), or the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

In Germany, salaries for academic positions are generally based on the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD). Universities follow the TV-L (for federal states), while the Max Planck Institutes use the TVöD Bund (for federal institutions). As an intergovernmental organization, the ESO follows its own remuneration scheme in accordance with international regulations.

PhD positions are usually assigned to salary grade E13 of the TVöD system, which is typically used for academic positions requiring a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification. PhD students are usually employed at 65% of a full-time position in salary grade E13.

Despite institutional differences, the average monthly income at all locations is at a similar level.

Please note that doctoral contracts are only adjusted to the TVöD in terms of the salary; other components of the collective agreement (e.g. leave entitlements or special payments) may not apply.

Summary of Salary Levels

Max Planck Institutes (MPE & MPA)

Contract type: PhD funding agreement (in equivalence of 65% E13 TVöD Bund)

·         1st year: approx. €39,000 gross/year 

·         2nd & 3rd year: approx. €42,000 gross/year

The net income depends on tax class and family status. A general estimate is a reduction of ~30% for income tax, social security, and health insurance, etc.

European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Contract type: PhD Studentship  

·         1st year: approx. €26,724 net/year 

·         2nd & 3rd year: approx. €29,769 net/year 

·         Child allowance: approx. €360/month per dependent child

·         Household allowance (married students or those eligible for child allowance): €242/month

·         Health insurance contribution: 4.34% of basic remuneration (subject to annual adjustment)

Due to ESO’s status as an international organization, no national income tax is levied on salaries for nationals of ESO member states; instead, an internal tax is deducted at source. More information: ESO Studentships

University Observatory Munich (USM/LMU)

Contract type: PhD funding agreement (in equivalence of 65% E13 TVöD-L)

·         1st year: approx. €37,500 gross/year 

·         2nd & 3rd year: approx. €40,200 gross/year 

The net income depends on tax class and is typically reduced by ~30% due to income tax, social security, and health insurance, etc.

Transitional Funding for Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree

If you are admitted to the IMPRS programme with a degree that does not correspond to a five-year master's degree (e.g. B.Sc., M.Phys., M.Sci.), you must complete additional courses in order to earn the required ECTS credits. Only then will you be fully admitted as a doctoral student at LMU.

During this provisional period, it is unfortunately not possible for the individual institutes to conclude a doctoral student employment contract. Successful applicants at MPE or MPA can receive a bachelor's scholarship if the research for the doctoral project has already begun in parallel with the additional courses at the university. Unfortunately, ESO and USM do not offer this option.

Details of the Bachelor Stipend

(maximum duration: 18 months)

·         €992 net/month (i.e. €11,904 net/year) 

·         Child allowance: €400/month for the first dependent child,  €100/month for each additional child

·         A monthly allowance of €100 is provided to support private health insurance costs.