PhD track in Physics

The five-year curriculum of the PhD track trains students in cutting-edge research for them to pursue international careers in prestigious universities or leading companies in their domain.

The first two years of the PhD track are based on the Physics [1] Masters year 1 and year 2 at Institut Polytechnique de Paris. Every year, the program of every student has to be discussed and validated by his/her tutor, who is a member of the IP Paris faculty. According to the student’s specialization wishes, the course program will be individualized as much as possible.

The academic year of M1 physics is divided in three periods. During quarters 1 and 2 students will follow courses and participate to Research Projects in the laboratories of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris.  During quarter 3 students will complete a research internship in one of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris laboratories or in an external institute (which could be in France or abroad).

Quarter 1

Students choose three core courses and one optional course among the ones that correspond to their major. Note that depending on the major, some core courses are mandatory. The optional course can be replaced by a Research Project in one of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris laboratories (to be defined on site). 

Quarter 2

Students choose three core courses and one optional course among the ones that correspond to their major. Note that depending on the major, some core courses are mandatory. The optional course can be replaced by a Research Project in one of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris laboratories (to be defined on site). 

Quarter 3 - Internships

During the third quarter, students will follow one of the internships proposed by the program associated with the corresponding major. These internships of 4-6 months will take place at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or other institutions of excellence abroad. The internship is worth 20 ECTS

• Center for Theoretical Physics (CPHT)
• Photovoltaic Institute (IPVF)
• Leprince-Ringuet Laboratory (LLR)
• Laboratory for Applied Optics (LOA)
• Laboratory for Optics in Biology (LOB)
• Laboratory of Plasma Physics (LPP)
• Laboratory of High Intensity Lasers (LULI)
• Laboratory for Irradiated Solids (LSI)
• Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics (PMC)
• Laboratory for Interfaces and Thin Films (PICM)

Partner laboratory

• International  Laboratory  For  Astrophysics,  Neutrino  And  Cosmology Experiments (ILANCE)

For updated information on current research projects and contact details of faculty members working in these areas, applicants are invited to check out the webpages of the laboratories as well as of the “Ecole Universitaire de Recherche” (EUR) in Plasma Science and Training (Plasma_ST).

Admission requirements

Academic prerequisites

Completion of a Bachelor in physics, with highest honors, at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.

Evidence of research potential is essential as the main goal of such a PhD program is to train first class researchers.

Students who have completed the first year of an equivalent program may be directly admitted into the second year (4-year PhD program).

Language prerequisites

A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2) is required (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL), except for native speakers and students who previously studied in English.

How to apply

Applications are exclusively online. You will be required to provide the following documents:

• Transcript 
• Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)  
• CV/resume 
• Statement of purpose indicating which 2 choices of research subjects among the one listed on this page under the section "PhD Track Research Projects"

You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months following the closing date of the application session. 

Fees and scholarships

Registration fees are available here

Find out more about scholarships

Please note that fees and scholarships may change for the following year.

Coordinator

• Luca Perfetti

General enquiry

• phd-track@ip-paris.fr

When applying to the PhD Tracks in Physics, you should describe your preferred fields of study and research in your motivation letter. You are ecouraged to choose two preferred PhD Track subjects among the list below. Since the posted offers do not cover the full spectrum of our activities, you can also visit the web pages of the 11 laboratories (CPHT, IPVF, LLR, LOA, LOB, LPICM, LPMC, LPP, LSI, LULI, Omega) affiliated to the physics department and indicate the research lines that interest you the most.

PhD Track research projects in "Physics"