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.
Biomass instead of petroleum to obtain chemical raw materials: this is the focus of the research project led by Nils Frank from Prof. Benjamin List's working group.
A research project conducted by the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung shows how biomass can be used as a raw material for chemical products instead of petroleum. The scientists have now published their exciting findings in the journal Science.

News

International Women's Day is celebrated annually on March 8. It originated before World War I in the struggle for equal rights, women's suffrage, and the emancipation of female workers. We spoke with our equal opportunities officer, Julia Jacobs ...

Prof. Tobias Ritter initiates a blood donation campaign at the MPI, emphasizing the ease of participation for institute members and community involvement.

The Institute mourns the loss of Prof. Fink. He made significant contributions to Ziegler catalysts and polymer chemistry. 

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

Institute Seminar with Awarding of the Thiel Prize 2025

Mar 13, 2026 03:00 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

Prof. Shirin Faraji (Düsseldorf University)

Mar 18, 2026 04:00 PM - 05:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Room: Grand Lecture Hall

Prof. Sarah Lovelock (University of Manchester)

Mar 25, 2026 04:00 PM - 05:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, 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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