The International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course (LIFE)

LIFE is a joint international PhD program in the field of lifespan research of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, and the University of Zurich. 

In addition to content-related, methodological and interdisciplinary courses at the respective institutions, the doctoral students are provided with ongoing training and supervision of their doctoral theses as well as international networking with other doctoral students and leading experts in the field of lifespan research, especially at the "LIFE Academies", which take place twice a year. Every two years, the Academy will be held in Zurich, next time from October 13-16, 2025.

LIFE Fall Academy 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland, from October 13 to 16, 2025, hosted by
the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development and
the Chair of Developmental Psychology: Infant and Childhood Research
University of Zurich

• Program (PDF, 5 MB)
• Info Sheet (PDF, 90 KB)
• Readings (ZIP, 7 MB)

LIFE Fellows have the opportunity for a research stay with a LIFE Faculty Member at one of the participating sites. A LIFE research fellowship is an invaluable springboard for further research careers, both professionally and personally.

PhD students who wish to participate in the program as a LIFE Fellow are nominated by their supervisor who is a LIFE Faculty member. A research focus in development across the lifespan is mandatory. 

Requirements for fellows:

• Attendance at four LIFE Academies with active participation (poster presentation or talk).
• A total of at least one talk and one poster presentation must be given (e.g., 1 poster, 3 talk; or 3 posters, 1 talk; or 2 posters, 2 talks).
• Ideally, these LIFE Academies should be attended consecutively and at the beginning of the dissertation.
• The aim of the “LIFE Academies” is to obtain as much feedback as possible on your own work, to network with the LIFE faculty and fellows, to acquire a broader and more interdisciplinary knowledge base in the field of lifespan research, and to actively participate in professional discussions.
• Funding is provided by the respective working group.
• After six months, an English-language proposal summarizing the theoretical part and the planned empirical investigations must be submitted.
• In addition to the immediate supervisor, the proposal should be commented on by at least two other LIFE faculty members (request and submission of the proposal by Ms. Delius or Ms. Kruse, MPI Berlin).
• Regular and active participation in peer-to-peer mentoring events at UZH (organized by the fellows).
• Regular attendance at DENC colloquia.
• Attendance of courses within the doctoral program, which should regularly cover topics and methods relevant to LIFE.

A stay abroad with a faculty member of the LIFE program at one of the other participating institutions is desirable. Funding will be covered either by the chair or by additional funding

• Prof. Dr. Moritz Daum (LIFE Speaker): moritz.daum@uzh.ch
• Prof. Dr. Alexandra Freund (Co-LIFE Speaker): freund@psychologie.uzh.ch
• Michelle Loher (Fellow Speaker): michelle.loher@jacobscenter.uzh.ch
• Julian Ockelmann (Fellow Speaker): julian.ockelmann@uzh.ch

For information on the administrative process, please contact Ines Florin (LIFE Coordinator, Zürich): ines.florin@uzh.ch

www.imprs-life.mpg.de