Max Planck Society R&D labs

Max Planck Society runs 69 R&D labs in the 311 Institute directory, across 5 countries (Germany, Netherlands, Canada, and more), focused on molecular biology, genetics, atomic and molecular physics, and optics and cognitive neuroscience.

Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated 7 October 2026.

69labs

5countries

34cities

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All 69 labs

Lab and organisation	Location	Type and sector	Focus	Founded
Max Planck Institute for Intelligent SystemsMax Planck Society	Stuttgart, Germany	Government Technology	AI, Robotics	2011
Max Planck Institute for Plasma PhysicsMax Planck Society	Garching, Germany	Government Energy and resources	Fusion	1960
Max Planck Institute of Quantum OpticsMax Planck Society	Garching, Germany	Government Basic science	Quantum	1981
Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck SocietyMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Materials Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Biomedical Engineering	1911
Halbleiterlabor of the Max-Planck-SocietyMax Planck Society	Munich, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Radiation
Max Planck - University of Ottawa Centre for Extreme and Quantum PhotonicsMax Planck Society	Ottawa, Canada	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Artificial Intelligence	2015
Max Planck Florida Institute for NeuroscienceMax Planck Society	Jupiter, United States	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Biophysics	2010
Max Planck Institute for AstronomyMax Planck Society	Heidelberg, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics	1967
Max Planck Institute for AstrophysicsMax Planck Society	Garching, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Instrumentation	1958
Max Planck Institute for BiogeochemistryMax Planck Society	Jena, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Global and Planetary Change, Soil Science, Atmospheric Science	1997
Max Planck Institute for Biological CyberneticsMax Planck Society	Tübingen, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cognitive Neuroscience, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology	1968
Max Planck Institute for Biological IntelligenceMax Planck Society	Martinsried, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology, Developmental Biology	2022
Max Planck Institute for BiologyMax Planck Society	Tübingen, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Plant Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology	1912
Max Planck Institute for Brain ResearchMax Planck Society	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Molecular Biology	1914
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of SolidsMax Planck Society	Dresden, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Condensed Matter Physics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Inorganic Chemistry	1660
Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private LawMax Planck Society	Hamburg, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Political Science and International Relations, Law, Strategy and Management	1926
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International LawMax Planck Society	Heidelberg, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Political Science and International Relations, Law, Strategy and Management	1924
Max Planck Institute for Developmental BiologyMax Planck Society	Tübingen, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Plant Science, Genetics	1954
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-OrganizationMax Planck Society	Göttingen, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Computational Mechanics, Computer Networks and Communications, Cognitive Neuroscience	1924
Max Planck Institute for Empirical AestheticsMax Planck Society	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cognitive Neuroscience, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Music	2012
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyMax Planck Society	Leipzig, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Social Psychology, Anthropology, Developmental and Educational Psychology	1997
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyMax Planck Society	Plön, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Genetics, Ecology, Environmental Chemistry	2007
Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial PhysicsMax Planck Society	Garching, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Instrumentation	1963
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational PhysicsMax Planck Society	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics	1995
Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchMax Planck Society	Bad Nauheim, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine	1931
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesMax Planck Society	Leipzig, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cognitive Neuroscience, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Social Psychology	2004
Max Planck Institute for Infection BiologyMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Genetics	1993
Max Planck Institute for InformaticsMax Planck Society	Saarbrücken, Germany	Research institute Technology	Computational Theory and Mathematics, Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design, Computational Mechanics	1988
Max Planck Institute for Innovation and CompetitionMax Planck Society	Munich, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Law, Political Science and International Relations, Management of Technology and Innovation	1966
Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal TheoryMax Planck Society	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Political Science and International Relations, Classics, Law	1964
Max Planck Institute for Marine MicrobiologyMax Planck Society	Bremen, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Ecology, Oceanography, Environmental Chemistry	1992
Max Planck Institute for MathematicsMax Planck Society	Bonn, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Geometry and Topology, Mathematical Physics, Algebra and Number Theory	1992
Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the SciencesMax Planck Society	Leipzig, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Applied Mathematics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Artificial Intelligence	1996
Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchMax Planck Society	Heidelberg, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Materials Chemistry	1930
Max Planck Institute for Metabolism ResearchMax Planck Society	Cologne, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Epidemiology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Cognitive Neuroscience
Max Planck Institute for MeteorologyMax Planck Society	Hamburg, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Global and Planetary Change, Atmospheric Science, Oceanography	1975
Max Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineMax Planck Society	Münster, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Immunology and Allergy, Neurology	2001
Max Planck Institute for Molecular GeneticsMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Genetics	1964
Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesarMax Planck Society	Bonn, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Molecular Biology	2022
Max Planck Institute for PhysicsMax Planck Society	Munich, Germany	Research institute Nuclear	Nuclear and High Energy Physics	1917
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding ResearchMax Planck Society	Cologne, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Plant Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology	1928
Max Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsMax Planck Society	Nijmegen, Netherlands	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Language and Linguistics	1980
Max Planck Institute for Radio AstronomyMax Planck Society	Bonn, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nuclear and High Energy Physics	1972
Max Planck Institute for Social AnthropologyMax Planck Society	Halle, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science, Demography	1999
Max Planck Institute for Software SystemsMax Planck Society	Saarbrücken, Germany	Research institute Technology	Computational Theory and Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Software	2000
Max Planck Institute for Solar System ResearchMax Planck Society	Göttingen, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Instrumentation	1934
Max Planck Institute for Solid State ResearchMax Planck Society	Stuttgart, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Condensed Matter Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials	1969
Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public FinanceMax Planck Society	Munich, Germany	Research institute Public policy and analysis	Accounting, Economics and Econometrics, Safety Research	2011
Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMax Planck Society	Marburg, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Genetics, Molecular Biology, Building and Construction	1991
Max Planck Institute for the History of ScienceMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	History and Philosophy of Science, History	1994
Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex SystemsMax Planck Society	Dresden, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Max Planck Institute for the Science of LightMax Planck Society	Erlangen, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Artificial Intelligence, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics	2009
Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of MatterMax Planck Society	Hamburg, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Chemistry	2014
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and LawMax Planck Society	Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Sociology and Political Science, Law, Political Science and International Relations	1938
Max Planck Institute for the Study of SocietiesMax Planck Society	Cologne, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Political Science and International Relations, Economics and Econometrics, Public Administration	1985
Max Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorMax Planck Society	Radolfzell, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Ecology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Social Psychology	2004
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesMax Planck Society	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Surfaces, Coatings and Films	1992
Max Planck Institute of GeoanthropologyMax Planck Society	Jena, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Paleontology, Anthropology, Genetics	2014
Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and EpigeneticsMax Planck Society	Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Immunology, Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry	1961
Max Planck Institute of Microstructure PhysicsMax Planck Society	Halle, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering	1992
Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyMax Planck Society	Dortmund, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Materials Chemistry	1928
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyMax Planck Society	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Genetics	1994
Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMax Planck Society	Munich, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Behavioral Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Genetics	1917
Max Planck Research Unit for NeurogeneticsMax Planck Society	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Sensory Systems, Developmental Neuroscience, Molecular Biology
Max Planck Unit for the Science of PathogensMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Genetics, Molecular Biology, Endocrinology	2018
Max Planck University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid DynamicsMax Planck Society	Enschede, Netherlands	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Computational Mechanics, Ocean Engineering, Water Science and Technology	2017
Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal BiologyMax Planck Society	Bristol, United Kingdom	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Infectious Diseases	2019
Max-Planck-Institut für KohlenforschungMax Planck Society	Mülheim, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics	1912
Max-Planck-Institut für Nachhaltige MaterialienMax Planck Society	Düsseldorf, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Materials Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, General Materials Science	1917

Countries

Questions and answers

How many R&D labs does Max Planck Society have?

The 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory lists 69 Max Planck Society R&D labs as of October 2026.

Where are Max Planck Society's R&D labs?

In Germany (64), Netherlands (2), Canada (1), United States (1) and United Kingdom (1).

What does Max Planck Society research?

Its labs focus on molecular biology, genetics, atomic and molecular physics, and optics and cognitive neuroscience.

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