The Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS) is offering fully funded PhD Fellowships for outstanding international students. This joint doctoral program is a prestigious collaboration between two world-class scientific institutions: ETH Zurich in Switzerland and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Germany.
The CLS doctoral program provides an exceptional opportunity for young researchers to pursue a PhD under the dual mentorship of leading experts from both institutions. Selected fellows will spend time at both locations, including a mandatory 12-month exchange at the co-advisor’s institution, fostering top-tier international collaboration and research excellence.
Program Overview
Here is a quick summary of the Max Planck ETH CLS Doctoral Fellowship:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Institutions | ETH Zurich (Switzerland) & Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Germany) |
| Designation | PhD Fellow / Doctoral Researcher |
| Research Areas | Machine Learning, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Control Systems, and related fields |
| Funding | Fully Funded (Salary/Stipend according to partner institutions’ scales) |
| Duration | 3 to 4 Years (includes a 12-month research exchange) |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree holders in relevant STEM fields |
| Application Deadline | Varies (Typically annual intake; check the official portal for current dates) |
Designation
Successful candidates will be appointed as PhD Fellows / Doctoral Researchers. They will be co-supervised by one advisor from ETH Zurich and one from the Max Planck Institute, receiving world-class mentorship from both organizations.
Research Areas
The Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems focuses on the design and analysis of synthetic, natural, and social learning systems. Applicants should have a strong interest in basic research within the following domains:
- AI for Science & AI Safety
- Bio-inspired Robotics & Biomechanics
- Causal Inference & Machine Learning
- Computational Biology & Neuroinformatics
- Computer Vision, Computer Graphics, & Digital Humans
- Control Systems & Reinforcement Learning
- Deep Learning, Efficient AI, & Explainable AI
- Earth Observation & Educational Technology
- Haptics, Human-Computer Interaction, & Human-Robot Interaction
- Imaging Technology & Medical Informatics / Medical Robotics
- Optimization & Statistical Learning Theory
- Physical AI, Soft Robotics, & Smart Materials
- Security, Privacy, and Social Questions in AI
- Visual Analytics
Location
The program is highly collaborative and bilingual in terms of geography. Fellows will be based at:
- ETH Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland)
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Stuttgart and Tübingen, Germany)
An essential component of the PhD is spending at least 12 months at the location of the co-advisor.
Scholarship Description
The CLS PhD Fellowship is a fully funded position. Selected doctoral students are employed under standard, highly competitive contracts of the respective hosting institutions (either ETH Zurich or the Max Planck Society). Funding covers living expenses, tuition fees, research materials, and travel allowances for conferences and the mandatory exchange period.
Eligibility/Qualification Criteria
To be considered for the CLS doctoral program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, an excellent Master’s degree in a highly relevant field such as Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science, Neuroscience, or related disciplines.
- Note: Candidates holding only a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply directly for this doctoral program.
- Mobility: Candidates must be enthusiastic about relocating and spending a full 12 months at the co-advisor’s institution in either Germany or Switzerland.
- Language Proficiency: Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory. While formal certificates like TOEFL or GRE are not strictly required, they can strengthen your application. Alternative proof of English proficiency (e.g., prior degree in English, scientific publications, or working in an English-speaking environment) is accepted.
- Diversity: The CLS program explicitly encourages applications from women and individuals with disabilities to increase representation in these scientific domains.
How to Apply
The application process is conducted entirely online through the official Max Planck ETH CLS application portal. Interested candidates must prepare and upload the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts and certificates (BSc and MSc)
- A statement of purpose/research interest aligning with the CLS research areas
- Contact details for academic referees
- Proof of English proficiency (if available)
To start your application or learn more about the specific steps, please visit the official application page:
Apply Here for Max Planck ETH CLS PhD
Last Date to Apply
02 November 2026
The CLS doctoral program typically opens its application portal once a year (usually during the autumn/fall season). Applicants are highly encouraged to visit the official portal to confirm the exact closing date for the current application cycle.
