GSC 266:  Materials Science in Mainz

• Subject Area: Polymer Research
• Term: from 2008 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 49741853

The graduate school "MAterials Science IN mainz (MAINZ)" focuses on training through excellence in research in the combined fields of polymer science, colloids, supramolecular assemblies, magnetoelectronics and strongly correlated quantum systems, including ultracold quantum gases. Scientists from the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (JGUM), the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P), and the University of Kaiserslautern (TUKL) form the graduate school. MAINZ consists of three programmes that build on existing research and training structures: 1) POLYMAT: Polymers in advanced materials 2) IMPRS-PMS: The International Max Planck Research School for Polymer Materials 3) MATCOR: Materials with correlations Each programme provides a specific research and training programme for the scholars, while the graduate school links these three programmes to each other and provides educational modules of general interest. The common scientific concept is to acquire a unified understanding of similar phenomena in systems traditionally seen as separate, and to allow for a transfer of knowledge between these subareas. The scientific vision will involve the rational design of multifunctional hybrid materials by using synergetic effects and putting together the results from the various parts of materials science, in particular "soft" and "hard" matter. This approach is multidisciplinary and requires ambitious efforts both in theory and in experiment. The strength of this approach is the linkage between model systems, such as ultracold quantum gases, and real materials, such as polymers and magnetic materials, through threads such as tunability, emerging behaviour with increasing complexity and materials oriented modelling. The training content of MAINZ has been designed to provide high-quality education for selected outstanding graduate students, adapted to his/her specific training needs and plans of future career in academy and industry. In addition to regular training in the core specialities of each candidate, particular emphasis is placed on training contents outside his/her own research field so as to broaden the scientific horizon. Key training elements comprise an individual career development plan designed specifically for each scholar, profound training through the assigned MAINZ classes, the learning of additional skills, mentoring, as well as secondments to high-profile national and international groups outside MAINZ.

• DFG Programme: Graduate Schools
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Co-Applicant Institution: Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
• Participating Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Mathias Kläui
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Martin Aeschlimann; Dr. Denis Andrienko; Professor Dr. Hans-Jürgen Butt; Professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Elmers; Professorin Dr. Claudia Felser; Professor Dr. Michael Fleischhauer; Professor Dr. Holger Frey; Professor Dr. Jürgen Gauß; Professorin Dr. Katja Heinze; Professor Dr. Burkard Hillebrands; Professor Dr. Kurt Kremer; Professor Dr. Thomas D. Kühne; Professorin Dr. Angelika Kühnle; Professorin Dr. Katharina Landfester; Professor Dr. Klaus Müllen; Professor Dr. Herwig Ott; Professor Dr. Harald Paulsen; Professorin Dr. Eva Rentschler; Professorin Dr. Friederike Schmid; Professor Dr. Manfred Schmidt; Professor Dr. Jesko Sirker; Professor Dr. Carsten Sönnichsen; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Tremel; Professor Dr. Rudolf Zentel