Max Planck Foundation Research Groups

Programme Information

The Max Planck Society (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.; MPG) is a world-leading, independent, non-profit research organization with the goal to promote cutting-edge basic research. Within 84 Max Planck Institutes over 24,000 employees pursue basic research in broad areas of life and natural sciences as well as humanities, social sciences and law and have a strong interest in innovative and interdisciplinary research.

To support talented scholars early in their career, the MPG invites applications for three positions as 

Max Planck Foundation Research Group Leader in the area of carbon capture technologies.

Developing novel approaches to capture the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane and to convert them into other molecules will be part to the solution in addressing global warming. The MPG wants to support young scientists in this promising field of research. Possible research approaches include new chemical, electrochemical, (bio)catalytic, synthetic biological, bio(techno)logical, microbe- or plant-based initiatives, as well as approaches using material science or engineering.

Successful candidates will be offered a Max Planck Foundation Research Group at a Max Planck Institute of their own choice and will be embedded in a larger network of scientists who develop and establish this line of research within the MPG. As a Max Planck Foundation Research Group Leader you will enjoy a world-class research environment at a Max Planck Institute with state-of-the-art infrastructure, administrative support, and the intellectual freedom to pursue an original research project. The funding package covers a W2 position (equivalent to an assistant or non-tenured associate professor level), resources for scientific staff and a generous and flexible budget for equipment and consumables. The total funding is competitive with top start-up packages in international career development programs and amounts to 2.6 million Euros for a period of six years. An extension of three more years is possible and subject to a positive evaluation as well as the respective legal regulations. Start of funding is preferably January 2025, with a lead-time of up to three months.

Career opportunities

As current data shows, the position of Max Planck (Foundation) Research Group Leader offers young scientists an excellent opportunity to qualify themselves for key scientific positions within the Max Planck Society or other institutions. Over 80 percent of former Max Planck Research Group (MPRG) Leaders who have left their position were immediately appointed to a full or associate professorship. The MPG will also consider recruiting outstanding Research Group Leaders when filling vacant director positions.

How to apply

The MPG is an equal opportunities employer striving for gender equality and diversity. It is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.

Your application should include:

• a letter of motivation;
• a full CV, including a list of publications, in which the applicant should identify the three most important papers that they have written. (If not the first author, the applicant should explain and quantitively specify their contribution to the paper);
• a research proposal of no more than five pages in total (including all references, tables and figures), in which the applicant refers to their prior scientific achievements and details their future research plans (11 point, double spaced, Times New Roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides);
• two letters of recommendation.

Only applications in electronic form (as pdf) will be considered and evaluated; this also applies for the required letters of recommendation. Please see the FAQs for information about how to invite referees to submit their letter of recommendation. Letters submitted directly by the applicant will not be accepted.

This call for proposals is now closed. It is no longer possible to submit applications.

More information about the Max Planck Society and its institutes.

Frequently asked questions

For further information about Max Planck Foundation Research Groups, application instructions and the selection procedure in general, we recommend visiting our FAQ page.