The natural sciences at Johannes Gutenberg University are distinguished by a nationally and internationally outstanding research profile, particularly in material sciences, quantum and atomic physics, and especially in particle and hadron physics.
The recognition of the research network “Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter” (PRISMA+) as a Cluster of Excellence underlines JGU's leading position in physics. The innovative electron accelerator (MESA), which enables extremely high beam intensity with low energy consumption and creates optimal conditions for precision experiments, is currently being built on campus with PRISMA+ funding.
The department is also home to two of JGU's MWG-funded profile areas with internationally established, interdisciplinary working groups whose outstanding achievements in future-oriented research fields enjoy a high scientific reputation: The Dynamics and Topology (TOPDYN) research center brings together the fields of dynamics and topology on an interdisciplinary basis, thus opening up new avenues in research into special magnetic structures for future storage technologies. The Mainz Institute of Multiscale Modeling (M3ODEL) brings together experts from fields as diverse as physics, chemistry, molecular biology, mathematics and computer science who share a common vision: to develop robust, efficient and reliable computer models and to enable the quantitative prediction of properties resulting from the interaction of multiple scales.
With the topic of climate change, the physics of the atmosphere has reached the heart of the social debate. Meteorological research at the department focuses on the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere and uses this knowledge to understand the serious changes in our climate.
Research at the Institutes of Computer Science and Mathematics is strongly interdisciplinary in nature and finds its direct application in neighboring disciplines in particular. In addition to the classic areas of theory and experiment, numerical simulations play an important role in scientific research. Some correlations can be mapped using experimental set-ups; for more complex conditions, modern scientific research is increasingly turning to simulation techniques from computer science and mathematics. The Department of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at JGU owes its great success and high recognition to this diversity in research, the effects achieved through interdisciplinary cooperation and a broad range of courses with attractive interdisciplinary facets.
Fields of research at the five institutes of our faculty:
Physics | Nuclear Physics | Atmospheric Physics | Mathematics | Computer Science
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The PRISMA+ Cluster of Excellence makes unique contributions to the investigation of the deep open questions surrounding the validity of the Standard Model. PRISMA+ scientists search for new particles and forces via a combination of innovative precision experiments performed on the JGU campus and large-scale experiments at international facilities.
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The Rhineland-Palatinate Research Initiative funded by the state's Ministry of Science and Health is supporting JGU in the national and international competition for financial support, top-level academics, and promising young researchers. Presently the ministry is funding 13 cutting-edge joint research projects of JGU with up to EUR 9.5 million per year overall. These projects – alongside other institutions such as the Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter (PRISMA+) Cluster of Excellence – are representing JGU's most advanced research fields.
Top-level Research Areas of Faculty 08: