Climate protection by court decision

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For the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. As it made clear in its opinion, states must show more commitment in the climate crisis. More and more courts are setting the framework for action against climate change: this overview shows which climate lawsuits have been successful - and which have not. Tip of a narrow, tree-covered atoll that juts out into the sea. The narrow strip of land is surrounded by water on both sides and is washed over by the sea at the tip.

Research news

Luminous swirls of orange, gold and yellow against a dark background.

Astronomers Spot the “Eye of Sauron” in Deep Space

August 12, 2025
A look into the throat of an active galaxy reveals a ring-shaped magnetic field that may explain extreme gamma radiation and neutrinos
more
Prehistoric sheep tooth on a blue tray

Pathogen discovered in 4,000-year-old sheep tooth

August 11, 2025
Human History
Livestock played a role in prehistoric plague infections
more
Size difference between a female and a male mountain gorilla.

It's not all about size

August 07, 2025
Behavioral Biology
New study about female gorillas challenges the male power narrative
more
Further News

Career

The Open Call for Expressions of Interest in Max Planck Directorships is open now and can be submitted by the 31st of October 2025

Director at Max Planck - a unique position

The Open Call for Expressions of Interest in Max Planck Directorships is open now and can be submitted by the 31st October 2025
more
Full indoor shot of a large, dark-red robotic arm and a dark-red, dome-shaped object suspended from it, along with two people standing in the foreground. The arm is large and complex, with many dark-colored, flexible components and a dark-grey base. Steps and caution tape are visible on the floor around the base of the robotic arm. A dark-red, rounded object resembles a large head or helmet, suspended from the robotic arm, hanging over the scene. The material is smooth and appears to be some kind of composite. Two individuals are centrally positioned in front of the robotic apparatus. A man and a woman stand side-by-side, smiling, looking at the camera. Both wear casual clothing: the man wears a maroon-colored t-shirt and dark-colored pants, while the woman is wearing a teal-green sweater and dark-wash jeans. The background is mostly dark grey walls and a dark-grey floor surface. The walls appear to be made of brick-like or panelled material. The overall impression is of a technological or manufacturing environment, potentially a research lab or design studio. The image highlights a sophisticated piece of industrial machinery alongside human operators.

Innovative training programmes for Phd students

Talented German and foreign junior scientists are offered the opportunity to earn a doctorate under excellent research conditions
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Job Offers

PhD Positions | Living Matter Physics

Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen
August 19, 2025

Head of the  IT Department (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg
August 19, 2025

Research Coordinator (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena
August 18, 2025
to the JobBoard
Career

Topic Specials

The muddy hands of a person cupped together under a water tap in a muddy background.

Climate and transformation

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes
more
A schematic view from above of a human brain with many coloured fibres connecting the two halves and extending out in various directions.

The brain

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
more
Full shot of a world map, likely a graphic design or print, overlaid with numerous passport stamps of varying colors and sizes.

Migration

The causes and consequences of human mobility and its history are central topics for research at Max Planck Institutes
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Further Topic Specials

Publications


Illustration of networks and two persons
Research is Calling! cover
Cover of the MaxPlanckResearch 1/2025 Science Magazine
Image brochure - Max Planck Society
Cover - Highlights 2024 from the Yearbook of the Max Planck Society
Annual Report 2024 cover - Max Planck Society
Living and Working in Germany cover
Evaluation cover

From the Institutes


MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Exploration and dispersal are key traits involved in a rapid range expansion more
MPI for Biology of Ageing
Mitochondria defend cells against infections more
MPI for Chemical Ecology
Symbiotic bacteria with minimal genetic information provide optimal support to their hosts more
MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
What counts - you or me? more
MPI for Plant Breeding Research, et al.
Genetic switches for adaptability more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Population history of the Southern Caucasus more
MPI for Brain Research
Neurons Assemble Protein Factories Far from the Nucleus
 more
MPI for Biology, Tübingen
New method to design custom protein binder more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Gorillas’ personal circumstances shape their aggression towards groupmates more
MPI for Astronomy
Water Tornado in the Laboratory: A Simple Experiment Simulates Planet Formation more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
When the city comes to you, get flexible; when you go to the city, be persistent more
MPI for Physics
Strong interaction reconfirmed more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
Midges Divide Time and Space more
MPI for Heart and Lung Research
Two related proteins control development of the heart more
MPI of Animal Behavior
Wild chimps struggle with tool use in old age more
MPI of Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Mapping the metabolism of blood stem cells more
MPI of Molecular Physiology
Packing DNA on time for cell division more
MPI for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site), et al.
Inhibitory neurons catch up during brain development more

Events

August 2025
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AGE ART „How to die young at a very old age“

Aug 22, 2025 from 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Open Day at GEO600

Aug 23, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Upcoming Events

AGE ART „How to die young at a very old age“

Aug 22, 2025 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie des Alterns, Room: Auditorium

Open Day at GEO600

Aug 23, 2025 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
GEO600, Schäferberg, 31157 Ruthe

Explore Science - The Science Discovery Days in Magdeburg

Sep 25, 2025 09:00 AM (Local Time Germany) - Sep 27, 2025 04:00 PM
Elbauenpark Magdeburg
All Events

Multimedia


Screenshot of the picture gallery "My Science and Me"

My Science and Me

What fascinates scientists about their research? What drives them? Science thrives on the people who shape it. Our picture gallery depicts aspects of research from the perspective of those who carry it out
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Two smiling women standing looking in the direction of the camera with a dark background.

Unraveling Behavior

Podcast
A science podcast about the patterns driving human judgment and decision making. In each episode,  Ana Sofia Morais sits down with a researcher to explore how people make decisions, how they handle risk, and how our surroundings and the online world shape our behavior.
more
A microsopic view of a fluorescent green worm on a black background.

Cell droplet research

Video
A new hope for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A film about the research of Anthony Hyman, who was awared the Koerber Prize 2022 and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences 2023.
more
A sombre grey cartoon image of four people sitting on a bench.

Flight and Trauma

Video
Traumatic experiences from fleeing war zones can lead to distressing symptoms, which impair everyday life. Now with Ukranian sub-titles.
more
Optogenetics | briefly explained

Optogenetics | briefly explained

Video
Turning nerve cells on and off using pulses of light. Optogenetics is a relatively new field that uses light to control genetically modified cells. It is based on light-activated membrane proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin or channelrhodopsin, that are built into nerve cells.
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