Max Planck School of Photonics

Max Planck School of Photonics The Max Planck School of Photonics connects the most promising junior researchers with the best scientists.

Explore the world of Photonics at the Abbe School of Photonics at Universität Jena! 🎓️The MSc Photonics is a two-year, a...
05/10/2026

Explore the world of Photonics at the Abbe School of Photonics at Universität Jena!

🎓️The MSc Photonics is a two-year, all-English Master’s degree course offering multidisciplinary coverage in the field of optics and photonics. Located in Jena📍 , a renowned hub for optics and photonics, the program combines fundamental scientific concepts with application-oriented photonics engineering, preparing students for careers in both scientific research and industry.

🔬Students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art photonics laboratories and can specialize in key educational areas by selecting specific elective modules.

🌐As part of the Max Planck School of Photonics, students also become part of a broad scientific community connecting them with PhD candidates and Fellows across Germany. They also receive an attractive stipend!

Ready to take the next step in photonics✨️?
Discover the M.Sc. Photonics program: https://photonics.maxplanckschools.org/546005/Study-Phase-Until-2025and apply by 1st of December!

MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Emma Brambila Tamayo✨ Looking back on her MPSP journey, Emma reflects on a time of scientific g...
28/09/2026

MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Emma Brambila Tamayo

✨ Looking back on her MPSP journey, Emma reflects on a time of scientific growth, new perspectives, and experiences that continue to shape her career today.

From November 2020 to October 2025, Emma was part of MPSP in Jena, where she was supervised by Prof. Andreas Tünnermann. Her PhD research focused on the undetected photons technique: analysis of novel parameters for the practical imaging and characterization of spatial quantum correlations.

But her MPSP experience was about more than research. One of the things Emma valued most was the opportunity to build lasting connections with colleagues working on fascinating optical technologies — following their progress, sharing practical advice, and learning from each other's experiences.🤝

Today, Emma continues her journey in research as a Research Associate in the Quantum Superresolution group at Fraunhofer IOSB in Ettlingen. While her current research has evolved beyond her PhD topic, it remains closely connected to quantum science and optics.

💡 Her advice to current and future MPSP students?

“Do your best, but remember to enjoy the journey, not just the science.”

Emma also encourages students to look beyond publications and formal achievements: build your network and develop skills beyond your scientific expertise because when applying for jobs, a well-rounded skill set can make a meaningful difference.

💡 Questions about applying to the Max Planck School of Photonics? Join one of our Q&A sessions, get your questions answe...
18/09/2026

💡 Questions about applying to the Max Planck School of Photonics? Join one of our Q&A sessions, get your questions answered, and find out if MPSP is the right fit for you! 🔬✨

📅 Q&A Sessions:

Friday, October 16, 2026 — 1 p.m.
Friday, November 6, 2026 — 9 a.m.
Friday, November 13, 2026 — 6 p.m.
Friday, November 20, 2026 — 3 p.m.
Friday, November 27, 2026 — 12 p.m.

Come by, ask away, and get ready to apply! 🚀

More information and registration can be found at https://photonics.maxplanckschools.org/608127/q-a-sesssions-2026

🔬 MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Heiko Knopf From photonics research to political leadership — Dr. Heiko Knopf’s career shows ...
14/09/2026

🔬 MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Heiko Knopf

From photonics research to political leadership — Dr. Heiko Knopf’s career shows that the skills developed in science can reach far beyond the laboratory.

During his time at the MPSP (2019–2021) in Jena, Heiko worked with Dr. Falk Eilenberger on advanced photonic materials and light–matter interaction. His research ranged from improving the scratch resistance of hard coatings on plastics to integrating atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides into high-Q Bragg cavities.

But what he valued most was the exchange: connecting with inspiring young researchers and experts from across Germany’s scientific community. 🤝

After completing his PhD at Universität Jena, Heiko briefly worked as a research engineer before moving into political leadership. He found that the structured thinking and ability to engage with unfamiliar topics developed during his academic career were valuable assets in this new environment.

💡 His advice to current and future MPSP PhD Candidates?

“Think outside the box. Engage in open discussions, question long-held assumptions, and keep a critical mindset.”

In a world that is changing faster than ever, curiosity, open dialogue, and the courage to rethink established ideas matter — in science and far beyond. 🚀

Explore the MSc in Optics and Photonics Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics KSOP (KIT) at Karlsruher Institut für T...
07/09/2026

Explore the MSc in Optics and Photonics Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics KSOP (KIT) at Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)!

🎓️The English-taught Master’s program is one of the master program's which is part of the Max Planck School of Photonics' integrated Ph.D. program. It offers students a multidisciplinary education in one of Germany’s leading research environments. Students can explore fields ranging from photonic materials and quantum optics to biomedical photonics and optical systems🔬.

🏢KSOP’s wide industry network provides insights into the requirements for graduates and offers practical training through internships, laboratory courses, and research projects.

Students benefit from KSOP’s intercultural campus, fostering exchange across different cultures, and through the Max Planck School of Photonics network, they get connected to other PhD candidates and Fellows across Germany. You will also receive an attractive stipend from us!

Curious where optics and photonics could take you? Discover the program: https://photonics.maxplanckschools.org/546005/Study-Phase-Until-2025

MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Johannes Blöchl🚀 From ultrafast lasers to high-tech innovation: Johannes explored the world of ...
04/09/2026

MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Johannes Blöchl

🚀 From ultrafast lasers to high-tech innovation: Johannes explored the world of ultrafast photonics at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching under the supervision of Prof. Matthias F. Kling.

🔬 His MPSP journey from 2021–2025 took him from “Laser field sampling with attosecond and nanometer precision” to his PhD research on Ultrafast Pulse Metrology — working at the cutting edge of one of photonics’ fastest frontiers.

But for Johannes, some of the most valuable experiences happened beyond the lab: the exchange, discussions, and connections at the MPSP Spring and Autumn Schools — and all the events in between. 🤝

Today, he is putting his scientific expertise into practice as a Technical Commercial Engineer at UltraFast Innovations, combining marketing & sales, quality assurance, and production in a versatile role within the high-tech industry.

💡 His advice to the next generation of MPSP students?
“Connect with people on every occasion — especially those from different fields and from industry — and enjoy the fun moments during your PhD.”

Because great science is not only about pushing the limits of technology — it’s also about the people you meet along the way. ✨

Want to read more from MPSP Alumni? Visit our website at https://photonics.maxplanckschools.org/570574/testimonials_career-perspectives

01/09/2026

🔬 It’s September outside, which means that the application period for the 2027 fall intake has begun, and it runs through December 1!
Start your career in Photonics, whether in our master's or PhD program. Experience excellent research at our world-famous universities and non-university research institutions throughout Germany. Expand your knowledge through professional training during our Spring and Autumn Schools, and network with other PhD Candidates and MPSP Fellows.

Find more information on our website: https://photonics.maxplanckschools.org/en/program

24/08/2026

What makes the Max Planck School of Photonics so unique?

Discover how the Max Planck School of Photonics connects outstanding young researchers with world-leading scientists, cutting-edge research, and a unique nationwide network across Germany. From quantum technologies and nanophotonics to ultrafast physics and biophotonics, our students are shaping the future with light. ✨

🎥 Watch the video and learn what makes the MPSP experience so unique.

The full video is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enBjPYkDOcw&t=12s

✨ NEW PUBLICATION | MPSP RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTCan we make light behave like a crystal — in time? ⏱️💡A new study in Science ...
17/08/2026

✨ NEW PUBLICATION | MPSP RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Can we make light behave like a crystal — in time? ⏱️💡

A new study in Science Advances explores photonic time crystals — artificial materials whose properties are rapidly modulated in time to control how light propagates.

The team, including MPSP PhD Candidate Puneet Garg, shows that quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs) can dramatically enhance the interaction between light and time-varying matter. This makes it possible to achieve wide momentum bandgaps with remarkably small material modulations — bringing photonic time crystals closer to practical realization at optical frequencies. 🔬✨

A fascinating step toward a new generation of time-varying photonic technologies!

📖 Photonic time crystals assisted by quasi-bound states in the continuum
Science Advances
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed4055



Note: The photo is created with the help of AI

MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Kim Alina Lammers🔬 From pioneering research on polarization manipulation in femtosecond laser-w...
10/08/2026

MPSP Alumni at a Glance: Kim Alina Lammers

🔬 From pioneering research on polarization manipulation in femtosecond laser-written waveguides in fused silica to shaping the future of optics in industry, Kim’s journey highlights the power of curiosity, collaboration, and community.

During her time at MPSP in Jena until 2021, supervised by Prof. Stefan Nolte, she especially valued the interdisciplinary exchange within the MPSP network: “The annual Autumn School gave us a deep dive into each other’s research and broadened my own optics expertise.”

👓️ Today, Kim is an Optical Designer at Jenoptik Optical Systems GmbH, bringing her photonics expertise from academia into industry.

Her advice for current and future MPSP students? Explore beyond your own field, connect with as many people as possible, and make the most of every opportunity—because the conversations you have today might shape the career you build tomorrow.

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