Research
The Max Planck Institute for Human Development is dedicated to the study of human development, education, and human-machine interaction. Researchers of various disciplines; including psychology, education, sociology, medicine, environmental neuroscience, economics, computer science, and mathematics; work together on interdisciplinary projects at the Berlin Institute.
The research questions they examine include how people make effective decisions even under time pressure and information overload, how the school as an institution affects students; development and learning processes, how the interaction between behaviour and brain function changes over a persons lifespan, how the physical environment affects the individual, as well as what social innovations and challenges digitalization brings with it.
At the moment, research at the Institute is primarily organized in four research centers:
Max Planck Partner Groups have been developed as an instrument for the support of collaborative research in target areas which are scientifically promising and innovative, geared to the future and of mutual interest to Max Planck Institutes (MPI) and to the designated partner institutions. Max Planck Partner Groups enable both the MPI and the Head of the Partner Group to continue a sustained scientific interaction.
In research groups, young scientists work on various topics according to their fields of interest.
Emmy Noether GroupsThe Emmy Noether Programme gives exceptionally qualified early career researchers the chance to qualify for the post of professor at a university by leading an independent junior research group for a period of six years.
Minerva Fast Track ProgrammeThe Minerva Fast Track programme offers exceptional female scientists the opportunity for long-term career planning after completing their doctorate. Upon completing their dissertation or their first postdoctoral position, participants receive funding for up to four years, with the goal of subsequently applying for a Max Planck research group with an open topic.
Max Planck Research Groups The Max Planck Society offers gifted young scientists and researchers the possibility of independent scientific work through its Max Planck Research Groups. They are initially limited to five years, but can be extended. They use the infrastructure and administration of a Max Planck Institute, but have their own personnel and material resources, which enable the group leaders to independently pursue a research project.
Currently, two Max Planck research groups are working at the MPIB.
