International Max Planck Research School successfully launched in Magdeburg
Research into sustainable chemical production processes
In 2025, following a successful application phase, the first cohort of doctoral students began their work at the new International Max Planck Research School for Systems and Process Engineering for Sustainable Chemical Production (IMPRS SysProSus). From March 1st to 3rd, 2026, an introductory workshop was held in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. There, the first research results were presented and the projects were more closely networked. The workshop fostered interdisciplinary exchange among the young researchers.
A total of fourteen doctoral candidates have come to Magdeburg to conduct research at the new doctoral school. They all come from six different countries , nine of whom are women. The IMPRS is characterized by a high degree of international diversity and a balanced representation of men and women. They all differ in their academic backgrounds and disciplines, thus bringing diverse perspectives to the research, which reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the doctoral school.
The IMPRS SysProSus is a joint institution of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. It offers first-class scientific training conditions and supports doctoral theses that specifically address new approaches to replacing fossil raw materials in chemical production with renewable carbon sources, in particular biogenic residues and plastic waste.
The IMPRS for Advanced Methods in Process and Systems Engineering ended in August 2025 after 18 years of successful work. Founded in 2007, it was primarily dedicated to doctoral projects that combined innovative mathematical and systems engineering research and addressed complex issues in the analysis, design, and optimization of chemical and biochemical processes.
In November 2024, the application to establish IMPRS SysProSus was approved by a scientific commission chaired by the President of the Max Planck Society for an initial period of six years.
In the future, pioneering work will be carried out in the following areas in cooperation between the Max Planck Institute and the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg:
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Sustainable chemical production using renewable carbon sources and energy,
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Intelligent, resource-efficient and autonomous process systems,
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Advanced calculation methods and algorithms for the design, control and regulation of new chemical production processes.
The goal of the IMPRS is to train the next generation of scientists. They should not only be able to achieve technological excellence, but also, to a greater extent than before, integrate aspects of economic efficiency, environmental compatibility, resource conservation, and the social acceptance of new process technologies into their research.
The IMPRS cooperates closely with the Research Center for Dynamic Systems (CDS) at the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg.
To the official Article of the Max Planck Intitute Magdeburg