Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology

The Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology is located in Bremen, Germany. It was founded in 1992. In 1996, the institute moved into new buildings at the campus of the University of Bremen. It is one of more than 80 institutes in the Max Planck Society.
The main focus of our research is on the diversity and functions of marine microorganisms and their interactions with the marine environment.
The institute has approximately 240 employees and is located in a dynamic university city in northern Germany. The city is home to a vibrant research community, with four universities and around 50 research institutes in fields ranging from marine sciences to aerospace engineering. Its strong focus on innovation and international academic environment make it an attractive destination for researchers.

Organization

The current managing director is Prof. Dr. Rudolf Amann. As of October 2025, the institute consists of three departments with several associated research groups:

Additionally, the following research groups reside in the institute.

The MPI for Marine Microbiology hosts the, an international and interdisciplinary M.Sc. / Ph.D. graduate program for highly qualified national and international students. It is carried out together with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, the University of Bremen and Constructor University Bremen.