El Niño and La Niña

This simulation shows observational data on sea surface temperature anomalies from 1982 to 2026 [YouTube video].

Climate and transformation

Beyond climate projections, Max Planck Institutes are increasingly focusing on the impacts of climate change.

News

Max Planck Institute for Informatics and Stanford School of Engineering to establish a joint AI research centre
An unusual combination of chromosome organisation and selective inheritance enables a Brazilian sedge to maintain its genetic identity across generations
Thorsten Holz on recent warnings about AI risks and ways to control them

Career

A network of scam accounts impersonating the Max Planck Society is currently active on LinkedIn and Instagram
Start at a Max Planck Institute with your own independent Max Planck Research Group. This position is equivalent to a W2 Professorship at a German university, or Associate Professor internationally. Apply until October 14th!

Max Planck Postdoc Program

September 01, 2026
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 13 October 2026

Job Offers

Postdocs (f/m/d) incl. possibility to earn post-doctoral lecturing qualification (habilitation)

Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg
September 23, 2026

PhD Student (m/f/d) | Organometallic Catalysis

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr
September 21, 2026

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) | Computational Relativistic Astrophysics

Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Potsdam-Golm
September 17, 2026

International

Through the “Quantum Materials – Rice and Max Planck Partnership” they advance global leadership in quantum materials and technology
Ukrainian female scientists are building bridges to Germany and Europe, thereby fostering academic freedom in Ukraine
The MPI for Legal History and Legal Theory is expanding its collaboration with India through the launch of the Centre for Legal History of India (CLHI)

Topic Specials

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes
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
The causes and consequences of human mobility and its history are central topics for research at Max Planck Institutes

Publications


Illustration of networks and two persons
Cover of the brochure Living and Working in Germany
Cover Max Planck Research Magazine 2/2026
Annual Report 2025 cover - Max Planck Society
Cover - Highlights 2025 from the Yearbook of the Max Planck Society
Image brochure - Max Planck Society
Evaluation cover

From the Institutes


MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Seasonal scarcity and the challenge of preserving natural resources
MPI for Heart and Lung Research
Non-coding RNA protects the heart against dangerous arrhythmias
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Fungi neutralize spruce defense mechanisms with sugar
MPI of Biochemistry
A molecular view of PRC1 at work on chromosomes
MPI for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site), et al.
Home advantage or pastures new
MPI for Solar System Research
Sun: New Evidence of Superflares
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
Cracking Open the Gatekeeper of the Cell
MPI for Solar System Research
Mercury’s Crust Formed by Extreme Volcanism
MPI for Gravitational Physics
Black holes heavier than allowed?
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
The Liquid Core of Photosynthesis
MPI for Plant Breeding Research
Unlocking hidden regions of plant chromosomes
MPI for Biogeochemistry
Climate warming induces stress protection of Amazon trees
MPI of Geoanthropology
Mixed cropping instead of monoculture
MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
Energy Boost for Synthetic Cells

Multimedia