Max Planck School of Photonics

Another strong partner in our network: Freie Universität (FU).
Founded in 1948 FU Berlin is an internationally connected research university with a strong focus on fundamental physics, ultrafast photonics, and quantum science.

#passionforscience #physics #photonic #gradschool #berlin #fuberlin

Dr. Flore Kunst holding the certificate for the prize and smiling at the camera.

Congratulations to Dr. Flore Kunst, who has been awarded the 2026 Bernhard Heß Prize 🏆

It honors her contributions to the field of topological #physics – advancing our theoretical understanding of complex quantum matter.

👉 mpl.mpg.de/news/article...

#Topology #Science #Award #Research

Where light and matter meet at their limits.

As part of the Max Planck School of Photonics network, MPQ stands at the forefront of research where light and matter meet at their limits — from ultrafast electron dynamics to the wave-like nature of massive particles.

#gradschool #passionforscience

One of our prestigious partner institutions: @lmumuenchen.bsky.social
As one of Europe’s leading research universities, LMU combines academic excellence with a strong tradition in laser physics and quantum optics.

#passionforscience #physics #optics #photonic #gradschool #stem #research #science

Our PhD candidate, Felix Wanitschke, was awarded the “Fiber Lasers Best Student Presentation Award” at this year's #Photonics West organized by @spie.org

Congratulations on this great work! 🥳

Full article: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/531966/MPSP-...

© Pictures by Ira Winkler & Jens Limpert

The MPSP is built on a network of outstanding universities & research institutions across Germany. @unituebingen.bsky.social is one of these partners, bringing centuries of academic excellence together with internationally recognized research in quantum science & light–matter interaction.

#physics

What if collaboration mattered more than competition in science?

In our Interview Series: Get to know our MPSP Fellows, Stefan Karsch shares a perspective shaped by decades at the forefront of high-field laser physics:

👉 Read it here: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/394301/inter...

#gradschool

4 person in front of a mrt brain image.

An artistic sculpture of chairs.

4 persons in front of purple wall panels.

A staircase in a modern building.

Having our annual marketing workshop in Frankfurt, this time @ MPI Brain for Research with a great reception and wonderful hosts. A huge Thank you and a wonderful time to get into planing concepts with the (new) colleagues from the other schools!🏫🧠🥂

At the Max Planck Schools Day 2025, 167 researchers from the Schools of Photonics, Matter to Life, and Cognition came together to find answers to the question of how AI is transforming science.

👉 Blog article: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/343397/Schoo...

© Pictures by Bettina Ausserhofer

Last week, some students of MPSP visited our partner institutions, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). In addition to talks about theoretical photonics, the students visited the laboratories of two of our Fellows from whom they got exclusive insights.

#optics #KIT

YouTube video by Max Planck School of Cognition Max Planck School of Cognition - Our partners in Munich

Check out our partners and doctoral candidates in Munich, @lmumuenchen.bsky.social & the @mpi-psychiatry.bsky.social , and some of their research interests in this new video: youtu.be/bJun1x_LxMQ?...

Why are we living in the century of the photon?

In our latest interview, we spoke with our Fellow Prof. Dr. Michael Kues.
Curious to learn where photonics is headed next?

👉 Read the full interview on our blog: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/378379/inter...

#passionforscience #gradschool #physics

In our latest interview, Nicolas Joly shares insights on:
• why photonic crystal fibres remain a playground for curiosity
• how unexpected collaborations can influence an entire research career

👉 Read the full interview on our blog: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/378462/inter...

#passionforscience

With 2026 just beginning, we’re taking a trip down memory lane: back to October 2025, when our student Gabriel Baum traveled to Denver to represent the MPSP at the Physics & Astronomy Congress.

👉 Read the blog article: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/377833/Repre...

Even outside the lab our campus is doing physics! Each snowflake’s tiny facets scatter sunlight (millions of photons) in every direction. Because all visible wavelengths are reflected equally, the scene looks brilliantly white.❄️ The snowy white campus is nature’s own photon party outside our campus!

Our interview series continues: In the interview Maria Chekhova gave the advice to “Always look around rather than moving along some rails outlined from the very beginning” to students and early career researchers.

Full Fellow interview: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/332737/inter...

#phyiscs

2025 brought strong research, meaningful exchange during our Spring and Autumn Schools, the first joint Max Planck Schools Graduation Ceremony, and a growing MPSP community. We look forward to continuing this journey in 2026. Happy New Year!

#gradschool #passionforscience #physics #photonics #2026

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, we hope these days offer you a moment to slow down, and reconnect with the people around you, with yourself, or simply with the joy of curiosity that drives you.

Thank you for being part of a community shaped by a passion for discovery!

#passionforscience

Five inspiring days of science, exchange, & community, bringing the MPSP together in Göttingen during September. ✨

The MPSP Autumn School 2025 made one thing clear: Excellence thrives where curiosity meets connection.

Full Blog Post: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/344547/Autum...

#Photonics

Thank you to everyone who applied for our program!

Your applications reminded us of how strong and inspiring this global community of brilliant minds truly is.

We can’t wait to discover your ideas, and welcome some of you on board our program soon.

#photonics #passionforscience #graduate #optics

FINAL 24 HOURS!
This is your last chance to apply to the Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP) — the portal is open only until TOMORROW, Nov 30, and there will be no extension this year.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to shoot your shot… this is it.

#photonics #passionforscience #gradschool

Final Call for Applications!
The MPSP PhD program offers two entry paths:
• Bachelor’s holders: Begin with the 2-year study phase before moving into research.
• Master’s holders: Start right away with the 3-year research phase.

Don’t miss your chance and submit your application today!

#photonics

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Q&A Session - Max Planck School of Photonics. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Do you consider joining the Max Planck School of #Photonics #MSc + #PhD program (or the #PhD only track) but still have a hundred questions on your mind? Well, that's not a problem because we have a solution:...

Last chance to join our final Q&A of the series!

Don’t miss this live session on November 28th (3:00 p.m. CET) — your last opportunity to ask questions, get insider tips, and discover what makes our program truly unique.

Join via zoom: uni-jena-de.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#passionforscience #phd

Advent season is right around the corner… but before the festivities begin, don’t miss your chance to apply! The MPSP application portal closes December 1st (and won’t be extended).

Make sure to submit your application to the MPSP Master’s/PhD program before the holiday rush begins.

#phd #masters

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: MPSP Lecture Series Peter Hommelhoff. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: MPSP Lecture Series Peter Hommelhoff. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

How fast can light control electrons?

Join Peter Hommelhoff, Otto-Hahn-Award Winner 2025, as he dives into his groundbreaking work on ultrafast coherent coupling of light and electrons.

Join via zoom: uni-jena-de.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#MPSPFellows #LectureSeries2025 #Photonics

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Q&A Session - Max Planck School of Photonics. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Do you consider joining the Max Planck School of #Photonics #MSc + #PhD program (or the #PhD only track) but still have a hundred questions on your mind? Well, that's not a problem because we have a solution:...

Curious about what it’s really like to study at the Max Planck School of #Photonics?
Still wondering how the #MSc + #PhD or #PhD-only track works?

Join our live Q&A session on November 21st (1:00 p.m. CET).

Join via zoom: uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/meeting/regi...

#QandA #passionforscience

It’s November 15 — that means you have just two more weeks to apply for the Max Planck School of Photonics. Apply today!

More information on the study phase: photonics.maxplanckschools.org/323130/Appli...

More information on the research phase:
photonics.maxplanckschools.org/application

Join Prof. Dr. Michael Kues lecture to discover how spectral processing is shaping the next generation of quantum communication.

Open to all: enjoy this free lecture from anywhere!

Register here: uni-jena-de.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#LectureSeries2025 #Photonics #QuantumPhysics

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Q&A Session - Max Planck School of Photonics. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Do you consider joining the Max Planck School of #Photonics #MSc + #PhD program (or the #PhD only track) but still have a hundred questions on your mind? Well, that's not a problem because we have a solution:...

Thinking about applying to the Max Planck School of #Photonics but still have a few questions? Join us for our Q&A on 14 November, 10:00 CET, where we will talk you through everything you need to know about our programme and application process.

Join via zoom: uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/meeting/regi...

Join Uli Lemmer’s lecture to explore the latest research and discover how printable semiconductors are shaping the future of electronics.

Open to all: enjoy this free lecture from anywhere!

Register here: uni-jena-de.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#MPSPFellows #LectureSeries2025 #Photonics