More women in science leadership positions

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The Max Planck Society is making a wide range of efforts to achieve greater equality of opportunity and, in particular, to appoint more women to senior scientific positions A demonstration at International Women's Day, women are seen holding up a cardboard sign with the slogan "We Can Do It!" and the illustration of a woman flexing her arm, symbolizing empowerment.

Four women join Max Planck leadership

In 2025, four new female directors were appointed to Max Planck Institutes more

Lise Meitner Groups

The Lise Meitner Excellence Programme: an important measure to attract and promote highly qualified female scientists. more

"There isn't one 'single right way' for a career"

Maren Nattermann, Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, on Marjory Stephenson (1885–1948): pioneer of chemical microbiology more

Dahlem tour

From nuclear fission to modern genetics: Berlin-Dahlem is a cradle of modern research, in whose rapid development in the 20th century women also played a major role - not just the well-known physicist Lise Meitner more

Career

The Max Planck Postdoc Program offers a guaranteed contract of at least 3 years, targeted mentoring, and career workshops. Applications for the new call are possible until April 13, 2026

Max Planck Postdoc Program

March 01, 2026
The Max Planck Postdoc Program offers top emerging talents a range of attractive measures and opportunities. The current call for applications is open from March 1st until April 13th, 2026. 
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. 

Job Offers

Researcher (f/m/d) | Statistical 3D Model of Quadrupeds

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Tübingen
March 06, 2026

PhD Position (f/m/d) | Computer Vision

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Tübingen
March 06, 2026

Postdoctoral Researcher / Senior Research Fellow (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance, Munich
March 05, 2026
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Career

Research news

Main entrance to the Museo Casa de la Memoria (House of Memory Museum), Medellín, Colombia.

Weaponizing Kinship

March 05, 2026
Demographics Social Sciences
Researchers examine the long-term demographic consequences of the Colombian armed conflict for those who survived the violence
Detailed molecular model illustrating RNA transcription process, highlighting 5' RNA cap, FluPol, DSIF, transcription Pol II, and cleavage site.

Influenca virus steals RNA-cap

March 04, 2026
Infection Biology Proteins Structural Biology
Researchers have deciphered the process by which the influenza virus steals the cap of the host RNA to replicate
Microphones for media interviews at a press conference.

How journalism can survive in the age of AI

March 03, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Democracy Jurisprudence
Legal scholar Josef Drexl calls for a new remuneration model to protect against AI displacement
Further News

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 4/2025
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


MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology
Paternal Mitochondria Rescuing Plant Fertility more
MPI for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site), et al.
How birds achieve sweet success more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Kava drinking and its role in cultural evolution more
MPI for Physics
Dark matter: Detection with sugar? more
MPI for Brain Research
Ribosomes in pairs more
MPI for Astrophysics, et al.
Measuring the expansion of the universe differently than usual more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
Big pattern, small model more
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

Events

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Upcoming Events

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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