Career Possibilities

The Max Planck Society is one of Europe's leading basic research organizations. In its research laboratories, workshops, libraries, and administration, scientists and researchers perform demanding tasks with a high degree of autonomy and creativity.

The working environment is both open and stimulating – and international! Not surprisingly, the appeal of the Max Planck Society has achieved international fame. More than a third of around 12,000 scientists hold a foreign passport. They form a creative cosmos in which interdisciplinary and intercultural concepts and ideas of great minds come to bear. This, in turn, ensures the success of the excellent basic research for which our organisation is renowned.

We promote accomplished junior scientists, who complete formative years of their careers as student assistants, Ph.D. students, postdocs or research group heads at Max Planck institutes, and who benefit from the knowledge of their internationally networking scientific mentors.

We are also committed to providing young people with a sound basis in various skilled trades. Facilitating the career ascent of female scientists has been a priority for us for over a decade now. The Max Planck Society boasts the highest number of women on a scientific staff in Germany – even in leading positions.

Our family-friendly staff policy carries a seal of quality. As the first German research organisation, our institutes were granted the logo of the non-profit organisation berufundfamilie (“career and family”).