Arbeiten am Institut

MPIK is one of 83 institutes of the Max Planck Society (MPS); other institutes in Heidelberg include the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. MPIK is part of the Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section (CPTS) of the MPS. The section is responsible for the appointments of institute directors. MPIK, as most MPS institutes, is governed by a Board of Directors, heading their respective divisions. The Board elects a Managing Director of the institute, typically for a period of three years. Max Planck Institutes are independent and autonomous in the selection and conduct of their research pursuits (although there is extensive collaboration between institutes). Institutes have their own, internally managed budgets, which are usually supplemented by third party project funds. While legally part of the Max Planck Society, and supported by the MPS central administration, MPS institutes have their own local administration handling personnel, finances and procurement. As an employee, stipend holder or guest scientist, you will normally deal exclusively with the local MPIK administration. MPIK employees are represented by MPIK’s elected works council. An elected representative of MPIK’s scientists participates in CPTS meetings and activities. MPIK students elect their (MPI-internal) representatives, among other things interfacing with the Board of Directors in student-related matters. An elected equal opportunity officer is consulted in gender-related issues. While completely independent, MPIK emphasizes close relations with Heidelberg University, in particular with the Faculty for Physics and Astronomy. Many of the senior members of MPIK teach at the university. MPIK students usually receive their Ph.D. from Heidelberg University, and are required to participate in teaching, at the level of tutoring two lecture courses or an equivalent amount. Jointly with the University, MPIK participates in three International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS): IMPRS for Precision Tests of Fundamental Symmetries, IMPRS for Quantum Dynamics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and IMPRS for Astronomy & Cosmic Physics. While students are not required to be part of an IMPRS, most are. The Heidelberg Graduate School of Fundamental Physics (HGSFP) serves as a common framework for physics and astronomy students inside or outside the IMPRS.

MPIK offers German courses open to Institute members and visiting scientists only. 

For enquiries about the courses please contact: 

Natascha Bruch Email: natascha.bruch@mpi-hd.mpg.de

The nominal number of working hours for employees on public service contracts is 39 h/week. For scientists, working hours are not formally recorded (as is the case for all other employees). The institute offers flexible working hours; employees can work at the institute between 7 am and 7 pm. Core time – where employees should be present – is between 9:25 am and 2:25 pm. Scientific work may obviously require other working hours; any specific arrangements should be agreed with your supervisor. Safety regulations require that you work no longer than 10 h, followed by at least 11 h off work. Outside regular working hours, office work is allowed but for any other tasks such as lab work, a second person needs to be present. Consult with your supervisor prior to any such work.

All MPIK staff and affiliated visiting scientists are entitled to use the EMBL canteen or cafeteria. Lunchtime in the canteen is from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm. Opening hours of the cafeteria are from 8 am to 5 pm. 

Your meal is paid with your MPIK ID card after you have loaded the ID card using card terminal in the foyer of the EMBL canteen or cafeteria. The amount on the card is recorded in the EMBL system and can be reimbursed in case of loss or malfunction of the ID card. If your ID badge is damaged, lost or no longer used, the remaining deposit can be read-out from the system and be either paid out in cash or transferred to your new card. Report this to the EMBL Petty Cash Office presenting your new MPIK ID badge and providing your old card number. 

The ID cards hold a separate (!) account for MPIK’s coffee machines; a terminal for charging this account is in the MPIK entrance building. Note that this ‘coffee account’ is only recorded on your ID card and cannot be reimbursed after loss or damage of the card.

There is a wide range of potentially relevant colloquia and seminars offered at Heidelberg, and shown on the institute’s info screens. The main regular series during the university term are:

MPIK has an on-site child care facility “Kita Quantenzwerge”, for children aged 6 months to 3 years in the nursery groups and for children aged 3 years up to the enrolment at primary school in the kindergarten. It is absolutely necessary to arrange a nursery school place far before your arrival in Germany. The child care facility is usually open Mondays to Fridays from 7 am – 5 pm. MPIK personnel and guest scientists have preferred access, but there is usually a waiting list.