The graduate school offers a PhD program in atmospheric chemistry and physics, environmental physics and geophysics. But also doctoral students with a background in biology and geosciences participate in our interdisciplinary program.

Through the combination of high quality research, state of the art instrumentation development, field measurements and innovative education methods the research school attracts talented and highly motivated young scientists from all over the world. Established by the Max Planck Society in January 2003, the following outstanding institutes form the core of the research school:

• Max Planck Institute for Chemistry Mainz
• University of Mainz
• University of Heidelberg
• University of Frankfurt 

Curriculum
During your doctoral study you will be guided by a thesis committee, chaired by the thesis advisor. Together with you this committee tailors the 3-year program. If you have a bachelor degree you should first obtain a Msc or Diploma at one of the member universities. International graduate students also have the possibility to maintain their association with the home university. It is also possible to spend a limited period, e.g.of six months within a joint research project at a Max Planck Institute. The School Board must be represented in the thesis committee. The student should actively take part in lectures, courses and summer schools of the Research School thus collecting credit points which are acknowledged by the home university.  

Lectures and Courses - General Information
During the duration of the PhD our students have to obtain a minimum of 12 credit points (CP) by attending lecture courses and research schools or giving oral or poster presentations. Most of the lectures are held at the partner Universities in Mainz, Heidelberg and Frankfurt. Sometimes we also offer some special series of lectures at the MPI for Chemistry.