News
News from our physics research and the academic life at the department of physics
"Quantum Computing in STEM Education" – New Teaching Materials from Science on Stage
Science on Stage Germany has published new interdisciplinary, modular teaching resources for secondary schools that introduce students to the key concepts of quantum computing. The materials are designed to help teachers bring this emerging field into STEM classrooms in an accessible and hands-on way. Teaching Materials "Quantum Computing in STEM Education"
Jul 16, 2026
Einstein Foundation Berlin supports Prof. Dr. Kirill Bolotin's research
The Einstein Foundation Berlin will fund "Plasmon-Coupled Excitonic Arrays for Quantum Simulation," a collaborative research project by physics professors Kirill Bolotin (Freie Universität Berlin), Hadar Steinberg, and Ronen Rapaport (both Hebrew University of Jerusalem), as an Einstein Berlin/HUJI Research Project.
Jul 15, 2026
PGzB Physics Study Award 2026
The Physical Society of Berlin (PGzB) has honored two Master’s students from Freie Universität Berlin with the Physics Study Award for their outstanding academic achievements: Hélène Colinet (Netz research group) and double-degree Master’s student Rémi Gilliot (Seiler research group) successfully completed their Physics studies in 2025.
Jul 10, 2026
Prof. Dr. Hélène Seiler awarded the Karl Scheel Prize
Prof. Dr. Hélène Seiler has received the 2026 Karl Scheel Prize from the Physical Society of Berlin ( Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin , PGzB). The award ceremony took place on June 26, 2026, at the PTB ( Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt ) in Berlin. Prof. Dr. Stephanie Reich delivered the laudation speech.
Jun 29, 2026
ERC Advanced Grant Awarded to Physicist Cecilia Clementi
The European Research Council funds project on the simulation of biomolecular dynamics with approximately three million euros.
Jun 23, 2026
Teaching Award from the Dahlem School of Education for Dr. Elke Müller
During the festive anniversary event of the Dahlem School of Education on 18 June 2026, Dr. Elke Müller received the Award for Good Teaching. The Award, based on student nominations, was presented for her course Fundamentals of Experimental Physics 1 and 2 . The jury particularly praised her consistent student-oriented use of digital media, which promotes individualized learning and supports the communication of complex physical content.
Jun 19, 2026
Biophysicist Joachim Heberle Receives the Peter Mitchell Medal 2026
International award honors outstanding contributions to understanding biological energy conversion. For his outstanding contributions to research on biological energy conversion, Joachim Heberle is being awarded the prestigious Peter Mitchell Medal. The medal is among the highest international honors in the field of bioenergetics and membrane biophysics. It is presented at the European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC) to scientists who have made fundamental contributions to our understanding of biological energy conversion – particularly processes such as proton transport, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and membrane-bound proteins.
Jun 17, 2026
Pioneering Quantum Research
The Freie Universität Berlin has achieved outstanding success in the latest European QuantERA call for proposals, with three approved projects on quantum computers and quantum error correction.
Jun 15, 2026
Successful Program Extended: French-German Double Degree Master’s Program in Physics
The Franco-German University (DFH) has renewed its funding for another four years for the joint Master’s program in Physics offered by Freie Universität Berlin and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris. Each year, up to ten students can be admitted to this double-degree program.
Apr 27, 2026
Girls’Day 2026
On April 23, 2026, around 120 schoolgirls took part in the Girls’Day at the Department of Physics, exploring the world of science through twelve hands-on workshops. They conducted experiments, met researchers, and gained insights into scientific work.
Apr 24, 2026
How Sensitive are the Computers of the Future?
New publication in Nature Physics : An international research team led by quantum physicist Prof. Dr. Jens Eisert shows limitations of fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Apr 17, 2026
Dr. Vibhuti N. Rai receives Gerhard Ertl Young Investigator Award 2026
Dr. Vibhuti N. Rai, a postdoctoral researcher in the Franke research group, has been awarded the prestigious Gerhard Ertl Young Investigator Award 2026.
Mar 27, 2026
Deutschlandstipendium: 10 Physics Students Receive Stipends in the Summer Semester 2026
For 15 years, the Deutschlandstipendium has supported students from all disciplines – including physics. In the summer semester 2026, three bachelor’s, three master’s, and four teacher-training physics students will receive financial support of 300 euros per month.
Mar 10, 2026
Application for the Summer Semester 2026
In response to the strong demand for an extension of the application deadline for Master’s degree programs, we will reopen the application portal from February 18 to February 28, 2026.
Feb 13, 2026
Einstein Foundation Berlin Supports the Research of Quantum Physicist Prof. Dr. Christiane Koch
The research project ' Error Suppression, Correction, and Mitigation in Adiabatic Quantum Computation' will be funded by the Einstein Foundation Berlin with around 500,000 euros over the next three years.
Jan 07, 2026
Quantum Physicist Dr. Philippe Faist Receives ERC Consolidator Grant
The European Research Council is funding Dr. Philippe Faist's (Eisert Group) research project QPhysComplex with nearly two million euros.
Dec 10, 2025
Physical Society of Berlin Honoures Best Physics Teachers and School Students
On 19 November 2025, the Physical Society of Berlin honored the best physics teachers as well as school students who achieved outstanding performance in upper-level physics courses. The award ceremony took place in a festive setting with around 250 guests at Freie Universität Berlin.
Dec 02, 2025
Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 227 “Ultrafast Spin Dynamics” enters its third funding period
The transregional Collaborative Research Center “Ultrafast Spin Dynamics” will receive an additional ten million euros in funding from the DFG until 2029.
Nov 24, 2025
FUturist Projects from the Department of Physics
Twice now, projects from the Department of Physics have been honored with a FUturist Award. In 2024, the project FUturesLiteracy (Dau, Kubsch) impressed the jury with its transformative approach to teaching. In 2025, the project FUFLINTAΦ, initiated by Eva Glomski (Dau, Kubsch), received the award for its contribution to sustainable development in science. New project ideas for the next round of the FUturist call can be submitted until November 30, 2025 . Projects that promote socio-ecological change in teaching, research, administration, and on campus are eligible for funding of 5,000 euros and may be proposed by any member of the university community.
Nov 12, 2025
Quantum Physicists at Freie Universität Berlin Congratulate 2025 Physics Nobel Laureates
In the year that marks the 100th anniversary of quantum physics, the Nobel Committee honors the groundbreaking foundational research in quantum mechanics conducted in the 1980s by John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis in the United States. The quantum physicists at Freie Universität Berlin warmly congratulate the American researchers and welcome the recognition of their fundamental contributions.
Oct 08, 2025
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