idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Research on sustainable chemical production processes
Following a successful application phase in 2025, the first cohort of doctoral students has taken up their work at the new International Max Planck Research School for Systems and Process Engineering for Sustainable Chemical Production (IMPRS SysProSus). During a kick-off workshop held from March 1 to 3, 2026, in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, they presented their initial research findings and established closer ties between their projects. In this way, the workshop promoted interdisciplinary exchange among the young researchers.
Fourteen doctoral students have come to Magdeburg to conduct research at the new Graduate School. They come from six different countries. Nine of them are women. The IMPRS is thus characterized by a high degree of international diversity and a balanced gender ratio.
The scientists have different professional backgrounds and academic careers. These range from chemical engineering, energy management, and catalysis to applied mathematics and computer science. They thus contribute different perspectives, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the doctoral school.
The IMPRS SysProSus is a joint programme run by the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. It offers high-level scientific training conditions and supports doctoral theses that specifically deal with new approaches to replacing fossil raw materials in chemical production with renewable carbon sources, in particular biogenic residues and plastic waste.
Focus on economic efficiency, environmental compatibility, preservation of resources, and social acceptance of new process technologies
After 18 years of successful work, the previous IMPRS for Advanced Methods in Process and Systems Engineering came to an end in August 2025.
Since its foundation in 2007, this IMPRS primarily supported doctoral projects that combined innovative mathematical and systems-oriented engineering research and dealt with challenging questions from the analysis, design, and optimization of chemical and biochemical processes.
The application to establish the new International Max Planck Research School for Systems and Process Engineering for Sustainable Chemical Production (IMPRS SysProSus) was approved in November 2024 by a scientific commission chaired by the President of the Max Planck Society, initially for a period of six years.
In collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, pioneering work will be carried out in the following areas:
• Sustainable chemical production using renewable carbon sources and renewable energies,
• Intelligent, resource-efficient, and autonomous process systems,
• Advanced calculation methods and algorithms for the design, control, and optimization of new chemical production processes.
The IMPRS SysProSus has also committed itself to training a new generation of scientists who are not only capable of achieving technological excellence, but who are also able to incorporate aspects of economic efficiency, environmental compatibility, preservation of resources, and social acceptance of new process technologies into their research work to a greater extent than before. To achieve this educational goal, the IMPRS cooperates closely with the SmartProSys Graduate School at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.
A second round of applications is currently open for further doctoral positions to be funded by the IMPRS program. Qualified applications can be submitted until March 22, 2026.
https://www.mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de/4809750/2026-03-06-pm-international-max-planck-...
https://www.mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de/imprs
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