Research news
The University of Cologne is a University of Excellence 2026-10-02
The University of Cologne has been awarded the status of a ‘University of Excellence’ as part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments. The Excellence funding will foster the strategic development of all the university’s areas of activity. Click here to read more about this.
Global Minds Professorship for Cluster of Excellence DYNAVERSE
For the first time, three Global Minds Professorships and one Global Minds Mercator Fellowship have been awarded as part of the University of Cologne’s Clusters of Excellence and CRCs. Among others, the proposal by the Cluster of Excellence DYNAVERSE - Our Dynamic Universe for a Global Minds Professorship has been successful. Click here to read more about this.
Arshia Maria Jacob receives Fulbright-Cottrell Award 2026-09-07
Prof. Dr. Arshia Maria Jacob receives the Fulbright-Cottrell Award for outstanding achievements in research and teaching. The award is presented by the German-American Fulbright Commission researcher-educators in the fields of physics, astronomy and chemistry (including biological systems), who strive to integrate their research and teaching activities, regarding them as interdependent. Read more about it here and here.
Stefanie Walch-Gassner receives 2026 Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award 2026-07-07
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Walch-Gassner has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award. The Award is presented by the American Association of Physics Teachers and recognizes outstanding achievements in conveying the fascination of contemporary physics to the general public. Read more about it here.
Major new telescope on Chilean summit opens window on universe 2026-04-10
The University of Cologne and the University of Bonn are part of an international collaboration that brought the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST) to life. Read more about this here.
ERC Synergy Grant for Michael Lässig 2025-11-06
Michael Lässig (Institute for Biological Physics) and Florian Klein (University Hospital) were awarded with the prestigious Syergy Grant of the European Research Council. Read more about this here.
Ernst Ising Dissertation Prize 2024 for Camiel van Efferen 2025-08-19
Spectacular Success: Two Excellence Clusters Funded at the Department of Physics! 2025-05-12
Two Clusters of Excellence with strong participation from the Department of Physics at the University of Cologne have been selected for funding within the German Excellence Strategy by the Federal and State Governments. In addition to the successful renewal of the cluster ML4Q – Matter and Light for Quantum Computing, the newly proposed cluster DYNAVERSE – Astronomy between Time-Lapse and Slow Motion has also been approved for seven years of funding.
ML4Q: Quantum Research for the Computers of the Future
The well-established Cluster of Excellence ML4Q enters its next funding phase, combining expertise in solid-state physics, quantum optics, and quantum information science. The goal is to drive key advancements in the development of powerful quantum computers – from robust qubits to the seamless integration of hardware and software.
ML4Q is a collaborative project involving the University of Cologne (lead institution), the University of Bonn, RWTH Aachen University, and Forschungszentrum Jülich. Additional partners include Freie Universität Berlin, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Ruhr University Bochum, and the universities of Paderborn and Siegen.
DYNAVERSE: Astronomy Between Time-Lapse and Slow Motion
DYNAVERSE is a visionary new Cluster of Excellence in astrophysics that tackles the challenge of decoding the dynamics of our universe across vastly different time scales. Whether it’s studying cosmic explosions in slow motion or galactic evolution in time-lapse, DYNAVERSE combines observational data, instrumentation development, machine learning, and big data analysis to develop a new understanding of the structure of the cosmos.
In addition to the University of Cologne, the DYNAVERSE consortium includes the University of Bonn, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne, Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn.
A Milestone for Physics in Cologne
This double success marks a major milestone for our department. It is a testament to the scientific excellence, interdisciplinary strength, and impressive commitment of our researchers – from quantum information to astrophysics.
We warmly congratulate all scientists involved and thank them for their outstanding contributions. We look forward to seven years of excellent research!
Further Information:
Klaus Liebrecht Prize for Ella Nikodem 2025-05-09
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences awarded the Klaus Liebtrecht Prize for an outstanding Master's thesis to Ella Nikodem (AG Ando). Read more about this here.