Scientific Careers

Become a part of our scientific team

We conduct basic research into all aspects of the interaction between light and matter. To do this, we recruit the best scientists worldwide to work on the largest scientific questions, and we offer them an optimal environment to do so – by doing so, we hope to contribute to tomorrow’s knowledge.

The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) currently employs around 300 people from a wide range of nations.

Open positions in science

We offer excellent training opportunities and career prospects for scientists at all stages of their scientific career:

• students: Bachelor's or Master's thesis
• doctoral students: PhD programs IMPRS-PL, IMPRS-PM and Max Planck School of Photonics
• postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists

The MPL is conceived to host five divisions. It also consists of several independent research groups and several technology development and service units. You can find out more about the research being conducted in each area and view job openings on the respective research group websites. If you have any questions about research projects, the research group leaders are happy to help.

Please also visit our job portal.

Jobs worldwide

On this job board, we gather selected job offers from other institutions in the field of the physic of light worldwide. If you would like your job offer to be published here, please send us an e-mail with the details to jobboerse@mpl.mpg.de.

Why you should start your scientific career with us

At MPL, scientists find excellent conditions for study and research. In cooperation with the regionally based Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg, we offer a graduate program with a defined curriculum and a structured support concept. Furthermore, talented scientists will find a variety of funding opportunities to ensure free research.

Welcome Center

Welcome to the MPL, welcome to Erlangen. Our Welcome Team would like to make your arrival at our institute as pleasant as possible and will support you in advance with necessary planning and preparations. We will help you with your visa application, provide guidance on living and working in Germany (Checking in at the registration office, opening a bank account, insurance cover, etc.), and support you in finding accommodation or childcare.

Promoting scientific careers Graduate Programs:

• International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS)
  • IMPRS Physics of Light (IMPRS-PL)
  • IMPRS Physics and Medicine (IMPRS-PM)
• Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP)

Scholarships for scientists:

Scientists will find a wide range of funding opportunities here, so that their boundless curiosity can be given free rein. These include:

hBar OMEGA OPTICA Student Chapter Erlangen

The hBar Omega Student Chapter Erlangen e.V. is based at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen and aims to spark interest in basic research at the institute and in optical science as a whole among the general public. The chapter serves as an important communication platform and network for students.

Graduated? - become an alumnus

Are you a former employee of MPL and want to stay connected with “your” institute? Then join the MPL Alumni Network!