Max Planck Institutes
A long-standing tradition of optics research
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL)
Developing white light sources which are many times stronger than light bulbs, manipulating individual photons or the smallest focal spot in the world – these are just some of the activities carried out by the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light. All aspects of the researchers’ work is centred around controlling light in every way; in space and time, in polarisation and in its quantum properties.
The Institute was founded in 2009, making it the newest of around 80 Max Planck Institutes in Germany. It originated from the Max Planck research group ‘Optics, Information and Photonics’ at FAU which strengthened FAU’s long-standing reputation in the field of optics and provided new insights across multiple disciplines between 2004 and 2008.
MPL has three departments, several independent research groups, and three technical service and development groups.
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL)International Max Planck Research School Physics of Light (IMPRS-PL)
In collaboration with the FAU, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) runs an international Master and doctorate program that offers MSc stipends and PhD positions.
Key features of IMPRS-PL are:
- structured graduate program
- English as language of instruction and interaction
- international and interdisciplinary environment
- MSc stipends and funded PhD positions
- excellent research conditions
- additional networking and career development opportunities
Max Planck Centre for Physics and Medicine
Interdisciplinarity is the keyword for research at the Max Planck Centre for Physics and Medicine (ZMP) in Erlangen. Researchers from FAU, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Light will collaborate here at the interface between physics and medicine.
For example, this will involve taking a closer look at the mechanical, electrical or chemical processes that occur in inflammation or in tumours. The findings will be applied directly in diagnosis and therapies thus benefiting patients.
The cooperation agreement for establishing the centre was signed in July 2017. The centre will be set up on the site of Universitätsklinikum and is to include several new Chairs and interdisciplinary research groups as well as a new department for the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Light.
Max Planck Centre for Physics and Medicine (ZMP)International Max Planck Research School Physics and Medicine (IMPRS-PM)
IMPRS-PM is located at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin. The international Master and doctorate program that offers MSc stipends and PhD positions is therefore jointly run by the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), the University Hospital Erlangen (UKER) and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL).
Key features of IMPRS-PM are:
- innovative new graduate program
- unique combination of physics and medicine
- English as language of instruction and interaction
- MSc stipends and funded PhD positions
- excellent research conditions
- additional networking and career development opportunities