"This is about a genuine partnership with Africa"

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Modern Africa is young, diverse and a research powerhouse. In this interview, Tobias Bonhoeffer and Michaela Hergersberg explain why the Max Planck Society is rethinking its collaboration with African partners – and what role established instruments such as the Max Planck Partner Groups and new programmes such as ARTEMIS and Bridging Minds play in this. Satellite view of Africa at night with country borders highlighted in neon orange.

“The best science thrives in community”

Geoffrey Andama was a mentee in the first round of the ARTEMIS program in 2023. Since September 2025, he has headed the Max Planck-Humboldt Research Unit at Muni University in Uganda.   more

Building bridges for a fairer future

The Bridging Minds programme enables doctoral researchers at the Max Planck Society to organise workshops at African partner institutions. more

When somebody believe in you

How the ARTEMIS mentoring programme connects African students and doctoral researchers with scientists of the Max Planck Society — and why mentoring means more than just offering professional advice more

Curiosity knows no boundaries

How Kenyan scientist Mercy Akinyi is establishing a Max Planck Humboldt Research Group in her home country more

Research news

Two people point to a stick tapering upwards in front of a picture of an elephant's trunk.

Elephant trunk whiskers exhibit material intelligence

February 12, 2026
Computer Science Materials Sciences (M&T) Robotics
Scientists discover the secret behind the elephant’s sense of touch
Numerous galaxies are visible as partially blurred bright spots. They have different shapes and sizes. Gas is visible as orange streaks that appear to move in curved paths.

How giant galaxies could form just 1.4 billion years after the big bang

February 10, 2026
Astronomy Astrophysics Galaxies
New radio observations of molecular gas reveal how dozens of galaxies rapidly merge together in the early universe.
Cityscape at sunset, illuminated buildings and network lines in the sky representing digital connections

AI “swarms” could quietly distort democracy

January 26, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Corona Democracy
Science Policy Forum warns that malicious AI “swarms” could fake public consensus
Further News

Career

Three people in white lab coats are standing in a modern laboratory with green doors, a clock and an emergency exit sign.

Call for Applications 2026: Lise Meitner Research Groups

The MPG offers excellent researchers again the possibility to apply for a position as a Leader of a Lise Meitner Research Group in all areas of science. Applications are possible until April 15th, 2026. 
Full indoor shot of a large, dark-red robotic arm and a dark-red, dome-shaped object suspended from it, along with two people standing in the foreground. The arm is large and complex, with many dark-colored, flexible components and a dark-grey base. Steps and caution tape are visible on the floor around the base of the robotic arm. A dark-red, rounded object resembles a large head or helmet, suspended from the robotic arm, hanging over the scene. The material is smooth and appears to be some kind of composite. Two individuals are centrally positioned in front of the robotic apparatus. A man and a woman stand side-by-side, smiling, looking at the camera. Both wear casual clothing: the man wears a maroon-colored t-shirt and dark-colored pants, while the woman is wearing a teal-green sweater and dark-wash jeans. The background is mostly dark grey walls and a dark-grey floor surface. The walls appear to be made of brick-like or panelled material. The overall impression is of a technological or manufacturing environment, potentially a research lab or design studio. The image highlights a sophisticated piece of industrial machinery alongside human operators.

Innovative training programmes for Phd students

Talented German and foreign junior scientists are offered the opportunity to earn a doctorate under excellent research conditions

Job Offers

Research assistant holding a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or a related field (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart
February 13, 2026

PhD Position (m/f/d)

Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Berlin
February 12, 2026

Research Assistant - Neuroethology (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (Seewiesen site), Seewiesen
February 11, 2026
to the JobBoard
Career

Topic Specials

The muddy hands of a person cupped together under a water tap in a muddy background.

Climate and Transformation

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes
A schematic view from above of a human brain with many coloured fibres connecting the two halves and extending out in various directions.

The brain

The human brain is the most complex organ that nature has ever produced: 100 billion nerve cells and many times more contact points give it capabilities that no supercomputer can match
Full shot of a world map, likely a graphic design or print, overlaid with numerous passport stamps of varying colors and sizes.

Migration

The causes and consequences of human mobility and its history are central topics for research at Max Planck Institutes
Further Topic Specials

Publications


Illustration of networks and two persons
Cover of the brochure Living and Working in Germany
Research is Calling! cover
Cover Max Planck Research Magazine 3/2025
Image brochure - Max Planck Society
Cover - Highlights 2024 from the Yearbook of the Max Planck Society
Annual Report 2024 cover - Max Planck Society
Evaluation cover

From the Institutes


Ernst-Strüngmann-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
AI benefits from measured non-linearity more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Children around the world process gaze in similar ways more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
Evolution fuels diversity  more
MPI of Biochemistry
Dynamic interaction between protein folding helpers and proteins more
MPI for Human Development
What ice-fishing competitions reveal about human decision-making more
MPI for Gravitational Physics, et al.
Testing Einstein’s theory of relativity with the clearest gravitational-wave signal yet more
MPI for Biology, Tübingen
One single protein for sexual development more
MPI of Biochemistry
Structure and function of proteasome storage granules elucidated more
MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology
Signals from the roots control pollen development more
MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
From precursor cells to acinar cells of the pancreas more
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Plant diversity shapes chemical communication in ecosystems more
MPI for Physics
Cosmic expansion with standard particle physics repertoire   more
MPI for Human Development
Treasure trove of data on aging publicly accessible more
MPI for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity
Expanding Research on Political Institutions and Conflict more
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Fungus turns bark beetles’ defenses against them more
MPI of Psychiatry
Stress hormone helps repair the brain more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Bronze Age DNA from Calabria reveals a distinct mountain community more
MPI for Plant Breeding Research
Diversity through repression more

Events

February 2026
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Curiositas seminar: "How boOst is building and strengthening the (Deep)Tech Ecosystem and why we need you to succeed"

Feb 3, 2026 from 03:00 PM to 05:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Looking beyond academia: 2026 Career Evening

Feb 9, 2026 from 05:00 PM c.t. to 08:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Picture a Scientist: Screening and Panel Discussion

Feb 10, 2026 from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

It’s Complicated: Landscapes and the Dynamics of Unfolding in Medieval and Early Modern Painting

Feb 23, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Public event without registration

Upcoming Events

It’s Complicated: Landscapes and the Dynamics of Unfolding in Medieval and Early Modern Painting

Public event without registration
Feb 23, 2026 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Villino Stroganoff, Via Gregoriana 22, 00187 Roma

Dangerous Science, Anticipation and the Human Right to Science

Apr 22, 2026 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Freiburg/Germany, Fürstenbergstr. 19, Room: Seminar room (F 113) | Guests are welcome; please register

Tomorrow Labs: The Festival at the Science Port Magdeburg - 6 June 2026

Jun 6, 2026 04:00 PM - 09:59 PM (Local Time Germany)
Magdeburg
All Events

Multimedia


Screenshot of the picture gallery "My Science and Me"

My Science and Me

What fascinates scientists about their research? What drives them? Science thrives on the people who shape it. Our picture gallery depicts aspects of research from the perspective of those who carry it out
Two smiling women standing looking in the direction of the camera with a dark background.

Unraveling Behavior

Podcast
A science podcast about the patterns driving human judgment and decision making. In each episode,  Ana Sofia Morais sits down with a researcher to explore how people make decisions, how they handle risk, and how our surroundings and the online world shape our behavior.
A microsopic view of a fluorescent green worm on a black background.

Cell droplet research

Video
A new hope for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A film about the research of Anthony Hyman, who was awared the Koerber Prize 2022 and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences 2023.
A sombre grey cartoon image of four people sitting on a bench.

Flight and Trauma

Video
Traumatic experiences from fleeing war zones can lead to distressing symptoms, which impair everyday life. Now with Ukranian sub-titles.
more
Optogenetics | briefly explained

Optogenetics | briefly explained

Video
Turning nerve cells on and off using pulses of light. Optogenetics is a relatively new field that uses light to control genetically modified cells. It is based on light-activated membrane proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin or channelrhodopsin, that are built into nerve cells.
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Social Media

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