OMP • A Ph.D Programme in a class of its own •

Oxford-MPG

Oxford-Max-Planck Doctoral Programme

The Oxford-Max-Planck Doctoral Programme (OMP) is a collaborative venture between Oxford University and the Max Planck Society, offering students the opportunity to pursue a joint doctorate in computer science under the supervision of faculty from Oxford University's Computer Science Department and from one of the four Max Planck Institutes specialising in computer science. Students are co-advised, perform collaborative research, take advantage of the expertise, resources, and culture of both institutions, and have the opportunity to spend time in both countries.

Apply to Oxford-MPG
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About

What we offer

Research Excellence

Join a doctoral programme rooted in a world-renowned UK university and Europe's premier research institution.

Cross-border Collaboration Research & Diverse Expertise

Work with peers and partners across Europe through curated projects, joint supervision, and international research teams, gaining access to a wide breadth of expertise and exceptional resources.

Comprehensive Support

Benefit from guaranteed funding, dedicated travel support, and a welcoming English-language research environment.

What we expect

Talent

We look for a strong academic record and clear potential for independent research, paired with creativity, intellectual sharpness, and a readiness to learn and collaborate within a world-class global team.

Curiosity & Rigour

Bring a genuine desire to explore some of the most compelling challenges in computing alongside a dynamic, multicultural team of internationally recognised experts.

Drive

Show the ambition to excel among the best and to build a global profile as a leading scientist.

How it works

The programme is set up in a highly flexible manner, requiring each student to spend a minimum of 22 weeks at each institution over any 18-month period. Over this period, they define a collaborative research project with their supervisors and in subsequent years schedule their residency to suit their research needs. Admitted students receive a student contract providing a regular stipend thoughout the programme. Funding is also available for travel and equipment.


Upon successful completion of the programme, students are awarded a Ph.D. from Oxford University and a certificate of doctoral research from the involved Max Planck Institute.


Applicants must secure a scholarship or other external funding source to cover the Oxford tuition fees.

Programme Partners

Oxford University

Oxford University

The Department of Computer Science is consistently recognised as the internationally leading centre of research and teaching across a broad spectrum of computer science, ranging from foundational discoveries to interdisciplinary work with significant real-world impact.

We are proud of our history as one of the longest-established computer science departments in the world, as we continue to provide first-rate undersgraduate and postgraduate teaching to some of the world's brightest minds. We enjoy close links with other University departments and Oxford research groups and institutes.

UK Programme Contact Prof. James Worrell
Email jbw@cs.ox.ac.uk
Location Oxford, United Kingdom
Max Planck Society

Max Planck Gesellschaft

The Max Planck Society (MPG) is a world-leading scientific research organisation, with 39 Nobel Prize awarded to its scientists. Its 84 Max Planck Institutes conduct fundamental research in the sciences, technology, arts, and humanities. The society employs some 6700 scientists, plus about 3500 doctoral students. The MPG has a budget of about €2.1 billion, provided primarily by the German Federal and State Governments.

The four Max Planck Institutes participating in the Oxford-Max-Planck Doctoral Programme are:

  • The Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (Saarbrücken and Kaiserslautern)
  • The Max Planck Institute for Informatics (Saarbrücken)
  • The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Tübingen and Stuttgart)
  • The Max Planck Institute for Cyber Security and Privacy (Bochum)
Germany Programme Contact Prof. Joël Ouaknine
Email joel@mpi-sws.org
Location Saarbrücken, Germany

Testimonials & more

List of current students

Mahdi Nazeri supervised by Anne Kathrin Schmuck (MPI-SWS) and Alessandro Abate (UOXF) — Since January 2024
Piotr Bacik supervised by Joël Ouaknine (MPI-SWS) and James Worrell (UOXF) — Since October 2024
Filip Jasionowicz supervised by Sandra Kiefer (UOXF) and Anne Kathrin Schmuck (MPI-SWS)— Since October 2025
Xuran Cai supervised by Rupak Majumdar (MPI-SWS) and Amir Goharshady (UOXF) — Since January 2026
Mahdi Nazeri supervised by Anne Kathrin Schmuck (MPI-SWS) and Alessandro Abate (UOXF) — Since January 2024
Piotr Bacik supervised by Joël Ouaknine (MPI-SWS) and James Worrell (UOXF) — Since October 2024
Filip Jasionowicz supervised by Sandra Kiefer (UOXF) and Anne Kathrin Schmuck (MPI-SWS)— Since October 2025
Xuran Cai supervised by Rupak Majumdar (MPI-SWS) and Amir Goharshady (UOXF) — Since January 2026

Interview

  • Piotr's journey at the OMP
    Piotr's journey at Oxford-Max-Planck

    Piotr shares how he ended up in the programme, what surprised him about research, and what day-to-day life actually looks like when you're doing a PhD across two countries.

Frequently Asked Questions