PhDnet

The Max Planck PhDnet is a platform for exchange among the about 5000 PhD candidates working at 84 Max Planck Institutes of the Max Planck Society across all three sections: Biology & Medicine, Chemistry, Physics & Technology, and Human Sciences. The PhDnet was founded in 2003 at its first meeting in Heidelberg to improve interdisciplinary cooperation, optimize doctoral education and scientific exchange, and strengthen academic solidarity.

The PhDnet consists of all doctoral researchers of the Max Planck Society. Doctoral researcher are represented by their institute representatives. Internal representatives take care of the communication between PhDs and other organs within their institutes, while external representatives are responsible for the communication to the other PhDnet and MPS organs. Furthermore, institutes are clustered in regional hubs to foster exchange and communication between geographically close institutes.

The PhDnet organs are the workgroups and the Steering group. Currently, there are nine workgroups, which are responsible for various tasks important for the PhDnet. The Steering group functions as the main communication channel between PhDnet and other organs within the Max Planck Society (like general administration, general works council, scientific staff representatives, PostdocNet, Max Planck Alumni Association and more).