Autumn School 2025

MPSP Autumn School 2025 in Göttingen

This year’s MPSP Autumn School took us to Göttingen – the historic birthplace of quantum theory and today a vibrant hub of cutting-edge research. Over five inspiring days, students from all cohorts came together to deepen their knowledge, explore new ideas, and grow as a community. In between workshops, the group visited the exhibition “Was zum Quant?” and explored Göttingen’s charming old town.

Day 1 – A Start Filled with Insight and Discovery

We kicked off with a visit to the Göttingen Society for Scientific Data Processing (GWDG). Through engaging talks and a tour of the impressive server room, participants gained a sense of how crucial data infrastructure is for modern science.
Afterwards, we were welcomed into the laboratories of Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, where several MPSP students presented their research.
The evening featured a warm welcome for our new cohort, followed by a fun quiz and an “academic werewolf game” – a humorous nod to the ups and downs of PhD life and a perfect icebreaker for new connections.

Days 2 & 3 – Skills, Exchange, and Community Building

The following days centered on hands-on workshops covering AI tools, communication and presentation training, and project management.
Cohort 7 participated in a tailored program on intercultural communication and navigating the early PhD phase.

Social events like karaoke and a student-led pub crawl provided plenty of opportunities to bond, laugh, and connect beyond research.

At the Career Night, representatives from Histomography and Abacus Laser offered insights into career paths beyond academia, while long-time MPSP supporter Thomas Kaiser shared valuable perspectives on post-PhD opportunities.

Day 4 – Strategy, Creativity, and Scientific Exchange

Thursday featured our beloved simulation game “Grow your Institute”, where participants took on the role of research group leaders and learned—with humor and strategy—how collaboration and competition shape scientific environments.

During the poster session, Olivia Saffer received the poster award presented by fellows Klaus Jöns and Daniel Braun.

The evening continued with a World Café discussing how to further strengthen processes within the MPSP. An inspiring lecture by Jan Huisken concluded the day on a high note.

Day 5 – Research at the Source

We wrapped up the Autumn School with visits to the labs of Jan Huisken, Claus Ropers, and Tim Salditt, offering students a close-up look at current research in action.

The Autumn School 2025 was much more than an academic event:
It was a place for learning, connection, and shared enthusiasm for science.
Where excellence meets community – and where the Max Planck School of Photonics truly comes to life.