Home

International Max Planck Research School for Advanced Photon Science

Scientists in protective clothing behind an optical setup.

Exploring the Frontiers of Light-Matter Interaction

The International Max Planck Research School for Advanced Photon Science (IMPRS-APS) is a graduate school dedicated to the advancement of photon science, spanning areas such as ultrafast laser science, attosecond physics, high-precision spectroscopy, biomedical applications of advanced spectroscopic methods, data science, and laser particle acceleration. Doctoral candidates benefit from extensive training opportunities, including interdisciplinary scientific knowledge, soft skills, industry exposure, and more.

Latest News

Faran Irshad with his PhD hat, standing in front of a blackboard with formulas and diagrams.

Congratulations to Faran Irshad!

November 14, 2025

Faran has successfully defended his thesis in the group of Prof. Stefan Karsch.

more

group picture at the IMPRS-APS alumni meeting from above

A celebration of past and present

November 11, 2025

Our Alumni Meeting last Friday brought together the older generations of graduates with the current crop of doctoral candidates.

more

Open PhD Position in Femtosecond Spectroscopy

November 06, 2025

The Dynamic Spectroscopy group of Prof. Jürgen Hauer is looking for a PhD candidate to join their team.

more

more

About IMPRS-APS

Established in 2006 at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) and directed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferenc Krausz, the IMPRS-APS provides a unique and stimulating environment for PhD students who are passionate about exploring the frontiers of light-matter interaction.

This initiative is part of a network of 68 International Max Planck Research Schools, which have become central to the Max Planck Society’s efforts to promote excellent doctoral education since 2000. Together, they provide talented German and international junior researchers with outstanding conditions to complete their doctorates.

Program Highlights

▶ Interdisciplinary collaboration
▶ Cutting-edge facilities
▶ Comprehensive training
▶ Career development

Student Experience

▶ Annual meetings
▶ Soft-skills courses
▶ Special lectures

Events

November 2025

“Toward Affordable Preventive Healthcare: How Basic Science Addresses Grand Challenges” (Prof. Ferenc Krausz)

Nov 7, 2025 from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

Alumni Meeting of the IMPRS-APS

Nov 7, 2025

“Quantum Electrodynamics of Strong Laser-Matter Interaction: The Ongoing Journey and Beyond” (Prof. Marcelo Ciappina)

Nov 12, 2025 from 01:30 PM to 03:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

Career Day at Grünecker – Explore Opportunities in Patent Law

Nov 20, 2025 from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Career Development Strategies: Mastering my Job Interview (Workshop with Alex Britz)

Nov 26, 2025 from 09:30 AM to 04:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

Project and Time Management for Scientists – IMPRS-APS Kick-Off

from Nov 27, 2025 09:30 AM to Nov 28, 2025 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

Project and Time Management for Scientists – IMPRS-APS Kick-Off

from Nov 27, 2025 09:30 AM to Nov 28, 2025 12:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

Save the Date:

November 7, 2025: IMPRS-APS Alumni Meeting
March 25 - 27, 2026: IMPRS-APS Annual Meeting 2026

Upcoming Events

Career Day at Grünecker – Explore Opportunities in Patent Law

Nov 20, 2025 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Leopoldstraße 4, 80802 Munich

Career Development Strategies: Mastering my Job Interview (Workshop with Alex Britz)

Nov 26, 2025 09:30 AM - 04:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics

Project and Time Management for Scientists – IMPRS-APS Kick-Off

Nov 27, 2025 09:30 AM (Local Time Germany) - Nov 28, 2025 12:30 PM

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics

Upcoming Talks

No events

more

IMPRS-APS on Social Media

YouTube

Find interviews with our doctoral candidates and alumni and impressions from our events on our YouTube channel.

more

LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn to always stay up to date with the latest news and events from the IMPRS-APS.

more

Join our community!

As an IMPRS-APS member or alumnus, feel free to join our exclusive LinkedIn group - a place to exchange and connect.

more

Image of an electron and a laser wave passing through each other

Attosecond Atomic and Solid-State Physics – Theory

Prof. Joachim Burgdörfer (TU Wien)

Graphic of an atom with two electrons spinning very fast.

Ultrafast Light Manipulating Spin- and Charge: Transient States of Matter

Prof. Martin Schultze (TU Graz)

Graphic of a microchip hit by a laser and information flowing through it.

Attosecond science (theory)

Apl. Prof. Vladislav Yakovlev (MPQ, LMU)

Attosecond physics in atoms and molecules

Prof. Abdallah Azzeer (KSU) - associated

Attosecond science (experiment)

Attosecond science (experiment)

Dr. Nicholas Karpowicz (MPQ)

a light pulse hits a molecule in the blood

Ultrafast metrology for shaping the future of healthcare

Prof. Ferenc Krausz (MPQ, LMU)

Data-driven Optimization of Laserplasma Physics & Interaction

Dr. Andreas Döpp (LMU)

Photo of an optical setup in the laboratory

Dynamic Spectroscopies

Prof. Jürgen Hauer (TUM)

Graphic showing how a laser passes through a blood cell

Broadband infrared diagnostics

Dr. Mihaela Žigman (LMU)

Graphic showing how a broadband mid-infrared femtosecond enhancement cavity is used for field-resolved spectroscopy of gases.

Field-resolved spectroscopy and cavity enhancement

Dr. Ioachim Pupeza (LMU)

Picture of the ATLAS Ti:Sapphire amplifier crystal

Generation of ultra-high intensity laser pulses, laser-based particle acceleration

Prof. Stefan Karsch (LMU)

Laser-driven ion acceleration

Prof. Jörg Schreiber (LMU)

graphic of a human head and lasers

Medical Physics

Prof. Katia Parodi (LMU)

Precision metrology for fundamental research

Prof. Thomas Udem (MPQ)

Ultrafast quantum physics and nanophotonics

Ultrafast quantum physics and nanophotonics

Prof. Peter Hommelhoff (LMU)