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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Leipzig University, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, and the Leipzig-based Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology are further strengthening their cooperation in research and teaching. Today (24 September 2025), in the presence of Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, the institutions celebrated the recent signing of an agreement on joint appointment procedures for five professorships. They also plan to introduce a master’s programme in evolutionary anthropology at the University’s Faculty of Life Sciences.
The agreement covers joint appointment procedures for professorships in the following fields: bioinformatics, palaeogenetics, virtual palaeoanthropology, palaeoanthropology, and population genetics in the context of evolutionary anthropology and medicine. In addition, two research groups are to be established to provide further training and support for early career researchers.
To fully realise the potential of this field and of the cooperation, and to continue developing it in the future, the institutions plan to establish a joint, English-language master’s programme. The programme is expected to start in the winter semester 2026/27 and will be submitted to the necessary university committees later this year. Around 20 students are to be admitted annually.
The programme will focus on equipping students with the theoretical and practical skills required for interdisciplinary research at a high international level. It will offer three specialisations: human origins, evolutionary genetics and archaeogenetics, and behaviour, ecology, and evolution of humans and primates. There is currently no master’s programme in evolutionary anthropology in Germany offering comparable content.
The Free State of Saxony will provide funding for the necessary teaching staff and for advancing research in this field. By attending the ceremony, the Minister President underlined the importance the Free State attaches to strengthening cooperation between the contracting partners.
Statements on the cooperation
Professor Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector of Leipzig University
“We are delighted to be able to intensify our excellent collaboration with the Max Planck Society and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, with a focus on our drive for excellence. The new professorships and the training of students will contribute to strengthening our university’s profile areas, particularly in the strategic research fields Sustainable Principles for Life and Health and Changing Orders in a Globalised World. This will also further enhance our international visibility.”
Professor Christian F. Doeller, Vice President of the Max Planck Society
“With the cooperation agreement between the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Leipzig University, the Max Planck Society is deepening the already highly successful collaboration and forging a link between basic research and university teaching. This unique partnership strengthens Leipzig’s innovative capacity and, through the establishment of the joint study programme, ensures targeted support for early career researchers in the long term. We would like to thank the Free State of Saxony, in particular Minister President Michael Kretschmer and Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow, for their great commitment to further expanding this exceptional centre of research.”
Professor Svante Pääbo, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
“I am delighted that Leipzig University and our Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology have developed this initiative. It provides for joint professorial appointments, the establishment of two new research groups, and the launch of a new study programme. I am also very grateful that the Free State has provided the necessary funding to support us in this endeavour. I now hope that we will be able to attract students from around the world to Leipzig, because what we will be offering is truly unique!”
Michael Kretschmer, Minister President of the Free State of Saxony
“Saxony is an outstanding centre for research and science. The new master’s programme in evolutionary anthropology will be the first of its kind in Germany. My thanks go to Leipzig University, the Max Planck Society and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology for their close collaboration, which we as the Free State are glad to support. The internationally renowned research of Nobel laureate Professor Svante Pääbo lends the programme special appeal. The first students will already be able to start in Leipzig in the winter semester 2026/27 and benefit from excellent study conditions.”
Additional information
Leipzig University has long maintained close cooperation with all of the Max Planck Institutes based in Leipzig. Existing agreements already cover the appointment of honorary professors, joint appointments of W3 and W2 professors as well as tenure-track professors, the establishment of junior professorships, and the promotion of early career researchers. In addition, university professors may be appointed as external scientific members or as Max Planck Fellows of one of the Max Planck Institutes.
Rector Prof. Eva Inés Obergfell, Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, Prof. Svante Pääbo, ...
Quelle: Christian Hüller
Copyright: Leipzig University
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