Current Topics:

An office environment featuring a computer with a blue screen, wall art including cityscapes, and green plants on metal shelves.

Minerva’s Daughters

February 11, 2026
Silvia Palm works in the institute’s electron microscopy unit and is an active member of the Green Team. In this interview, she talks about sustainability and why women are still too often faced with the decision between family and career.
Article in “Nature”

Article in “Nature”

April 01, 2026
About 100 years ago, the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was developed, a major achievement of the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung. In an article for the journal Nature, Prof. Ferdi Schüth explores the history and future of this process, which converts synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons.

News

During Girls' Day at the Institute, female students gained insights into the institute's working environment. They were introduced to laboratory work, glassblowing, precision engineering, IT, and electron microscopy.

A research team at the Institute has developed a new bismuth-based chemical building block that enables the synthesis of important ring linkages for medications and pesticides.

About 100 years ago, the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was developed, a major achievement of the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung. In an article for the journal Nature, Prof. Ferdi Schüth explores the history and future of this process, which ...

Dr. Dimitrios Pantazis was elected president of the Quantum BioInorganic Chemistry Society, aiming to enhance networking and training for early-career researchers.

At a glance:

A female chemist working in a laboratory
Selective and energy saving transformation of chemicals and natural products.
The large lecture hall at the institute was filled to capacity with guests.
Direct access to the staff directory

Events

Prof. Helma Wennemers (ETH Zurich)

May 20, 2026 04:00 PM - 05:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Room: Grand Lecture Hall

Karl Ziegler Gastprofessur 2026 - Festvorlesung mit Prof. Dr. Satoshi Maeda, Hokkaido University

May 27, 2026 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Lecture Hall Building, Entrance Lembkestraße 7, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Room: Grand Lecture Hall

Karl Ziegler Lecture 2026 - Seminar with Prof. Dr. Satoshi Maeda, Hokkaido University

May 28, 2026 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Lecture Hall Building, Entrance Lembkestraße 7, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Room: Grand Lecture Hall

Job and Career:

Young scientists stand in the institute's lecture hall building and exchange ideas.
The focus of the research at the MPI für Kohlenforschung is on cutting edge topics in the field of chemical transformations. Cooperation of specialists in many areas is mandatory for maintaining a top level in our fundamental research, the ultimate goal of all research efforts at institute. You want to join our team? This is where you find information on our career opportunities.
The training manager is in the laboratory with trainees.
The Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung provides apprenticeships for professional training in different disciplines. Technicians for chemical and physical laboratories as well as mechanics and office workers are educated according to highest standards. At present, about 30 apprentices ...

More job offers (only in German) can be found on our German website.

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