AEI Hannover scientist receives international award for doctoral thesis

More stable lasers for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors

Einstein Telescope approved for ESFRI Roadmap 2021

First robust detection of these rare events

Gravitational waves from two black holes swallowing neutron stars whole

Successful operation of the laser interferometer on board GRACE Follow-On began three years ago.

Nearly 900 days of laser measurements in Earth orbit

New ESA Science Program is out

Buonanno is honored for her scientific achievements in gravitational-wave physics

Professor Alessandra Buonanno elected member of the BBAW

Khalil is the first recipient of this new University of Maryland Physics Department student award

Charles W. Misner Award for Mohammed Khalil

Welcome to the Albert Einstein Institute!

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) is the largest research institute in the world specializing in general relativity and beyond. The institute is located in Potsdam and in Hannover where it closely collaborates with the Leibniz Universität Hannover.

Departments

Astrophysical and Cosmological Relativity

The department develops accurate analytical and numerical models of gravitational-wave sources, and uses them to analyse data, improving our ability to extract unique astrophysical and cosmological information from the observed signals, and testing Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Computational Relativistic Astrophysics

Research in this department covers mergers of binary neutron stars and mixed binaries – a black hole and a neutron star – as well as stellar core collapse that form black holes. The department also focuses on studying more fundamental aspects of General Relativity using numerical tools.

Laser Interferometry and Gravitational Wave Astronomy

This department's research focus is on the development of gravitational-wave detectors on Earth as well as in space. This comprises also a full range of supporting laboratory experiments in quantum optics and laser physics.

Observational Relativity and Cosmology

This department focuses on direct observational consequences of General Relativity, including the search/analysis of gravitational wave (GW) data, and operation of the Einstein@Home project, looking for weak radio, gamma-ray and GW signals from spinning neutron stars.

Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories

This department attends to the development of a theory that unifies quantum theory and general relativity – in the framework of superstring theory as well as canonical quantization.

Binary Merger Observations and Numerical Relativity

Geometry and Gravitation

Gravitational Theory and Cosmology

Gravity, Quantum Fields and Information

Historical Epistemology of the Final Theory Program

Multi-messenger Astrophysics of Compact Binaries

Searching for Continuous Gravitational Waves

Theoretical Cosmology

Job Offers

Studentische Hilfskraft (m/w/d) für die Personalabteilung

July 09, 2021

Embedded Software Engineer (m/f/d) “Scientific Instrumentation for Space Applications”

June 29, 2021

Electronics Development Engineer (m/f/d) “Scientific Instrumentation for Space Applications”

June 29, 2021

PhD position | Modeling gravitational waves from merging black holes in the small-mass ratio limit

June 24, 2021

For this PhD position, we are looking for a student (m/f/d) interested in modeling gravitational waves emitted during the late inspiral, merger and ringdown of a binary black-hole coalescence in the small-mass ratio limit.

Third-Party Funds Officer / Project Manager (m/f/d)

June 09, 2021

PhD position | Gravitational-Wave Modelling

June 03, 2021

The newly-funded Max Planck Fellow group “Multi-messenger Astrophysics of Compact Binaries” invites the opening of a PhD position in gravitational-wave modelling.

Deputy Head of Administration / Research Coordinator (f/m/d)

May 07, 2021

Equal Opportunities

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics is committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men. We take both organizational and personnel measures to facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life and to promote women’s careers. Our aim is to ensure a positive environment that promotes and supports excellence.

Research Schools

The Institute offers PhD trainings in two International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS): The IMPRS on Gravitational Wave Astronomy and the IMPRS for Mathematical and Physical Aspects of Gravitation, Cosmology and Quantum Field Theory.