Distinguished PKS Postdoctoral Fellow

Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI‑PKS); Dresden; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS) invites applications for a Distinguished PKS Postdoctoral Fellow. The successful candidate will conduct independent studies across theoretical physics, including ultracold gases, quantum optics, many-body dynamics, and related fields, aligning with the institute’s research directions.

The appointment is for two years, renewable for one additional year.

Qualifications

• Postdoctoral experience of at least 1 year at an institution other than the PhD awarding institution.
• PhD completed or in final year may be considered in exceptional cases.

Job description

Distinguished PKS Postdoctoral Fellow

The Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS) seeks a

The successful candidate will complement research areas pursued at the institute and conduct independent studies e.g. in the following theoretical research fields: Ultracold gases and Rydberg physics, attosecond and ultrafast X‑ray physics, quantum optics, correlated electrons, magnetism and spintronics, quantum many-body dynamics and information theory, statistical physics and condensed matter theory, nonlinear dynamics, and non-equilibrium physics, biological physics of cells and tissues, quantitative biology, and physics of life. Novel directions with promising perspectives are also welcome.

Distinguished PKS postdoctoral fellows appear personally along with the departments and groups on the main research page of the institute. Further details of research opportunities can be found on our website: https://www.pks.mpg.de/research

The appointment is for two years, renewable for one more year.

Successful candidates are expected to have at least one year of postdoctoral experience at an institution other than the one at which their PhD was awarded. Applications for this fellowship directly after completion of the PhD might be considered in exceptional cases.

The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.

Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are under-represented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Application deadline is November 13, 2026.

In case of further questions regarding the application, please contact Pablo Perez via [e-mail]