Information for
Quick links
Faculties
Independent research institutes on campus
Max Planck, Helmholtz, Fraunhofer and Leibniz – the four most important independent research organizations in Germany – are all represented on the Saarbrücken campus. What makes this unique is not only the unusually high concentration of independent research institutes directly adjacent to the university, but also the way their research strengths complement one another. The result is a vibrant, collaborative research ecosystem in which both university and institute researchers are able to thrive.
CISPA – Helmholtz Center for Information Security
CISPA is one of the largest research centres in the field of information security. The presence of CISPA is transforming the Saarbrücken campus into a first-class location for research and innovation in the cybersecurity and data protection fields. Research at CISPA is extremely broad and includes such areas as trustworthy data processing, reliable security guarantees, detection and prevention of cyberattacks, and secure mobile and autonomous systems.
German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)
DFKI has research facilities throughout Germany, including a major research base on the Saarbrücken campus. It is Germany's leading application-oriented research institute and develops cutting-edge AI-based software technologies. Ever since its research facility was established on campus, DFKI has collaborated closely with Saarland University – a fact reflected in the numerous joint professorial appointments, co-opted professors and multiple joint research projects.
Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI-INF)
The goal of the Max Planck Institute for Informatics is to advance foundational research and drive innovation in key areas of computer science. Research at the institute covers a broad spectrum, ranging from the study of the fundamental principles of algorithms and logic to the study of systems such as the internet and of multimodal domains such as computer vision, computer graphics, databases and information systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS)
The research teams working at the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems study the principles underlying efficient, reliable, safe and user-friendly computer systems, and the interaction of these systems in both physical and social contexts. This work encompasses basic research, theoretical models, empirical analyses and data-driven investigations.
Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz Center for Informatics (LZI)
While the Leibniz Center's administrative office is located on the Saarbrücken campus, Schloss Dagstuhl – a world-renowned meeting place for computer science research – is situated in the north of Saarland. Every year, Schloss Dagstuhl plays host to a total of around 2,500 computer scientists from all areas of research, teaching and practice, who travel there to attend high-level seminars and workshops and to discuss and share ideas about their research.
Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (IZFP)
The Fraunhofer Society is another of Germany's major research organizations to have established a research institute directly on the Saarbrücken campus. The research work conducted at Fraunhofer IZFP is mainly focused on the sectors automotive, rail, energy, plant engineering, semi-finished products, infrastructure and construction.
Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM)
Founded in 1987, INM is one of the oldest independent research institutions on the Saarbrücken campus. Joint professorial appointments and shared infrastructure ensure that INM is firmly embedded in Saarland University's research landscape, strengthening the university's collaborative interdisciplinary research programmes in materials science.
Material Engineering Center Saarland (MECS)
The Steinbeis Material Engineering Research Center Saarland (MECS) – a spin-off from the Department of Functional Materials at Saarland University – acts as a bridge allowing basic materials research to be converted into materials technology applications for industry. The mission at MECS is to deliver customized materials technology solutions through collaboration with regional, national and international companies.
Center for Mechatronics and Automation Technology (ZeMA)
ZeMA is a contract research and technology transfer centre located not far from Saarland University's Saarbrücken campus. ZeMA conducts advanced industrial research in the fields of sensor and actuator technology, manufacturing processes, assembly systems and automation.
Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT
Located in the nearby towns of Sulzbach and Sankt Ingbert, IBMT is another Fraunhofer Institute situated close to the university. IBMT has close collaborative, interdisciplinary ties to research groups at Saarland University, conducting research in the areas of medical biotechnology, ultrasound and biomedical engineering, and operating the Fraunhofer Project Center for Stem Cell Process Engineering.
Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, Saarland (HIPS)
In addition to the main Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, HIPS in Saarbrücken is one of five affiliated HZI facilities in Germany. HIPS was established in 2009 by HZI and Saarland University in order to pursue research aimed at developing new drugs and treatment options for infectious diseases.
Korea Institute of Science and Technology Europe (KIST Europe)
KIST Europe is the only branch of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology outside South Korea. KIST Europe conducts research activities in the EU to promote the global reach of Korean technology and to support the Korean economy through the activities of Korean companies in Europe. KIST Europe maintains close cooperative ties with Saarland University, for example in the Tech Transfer Centre for Sustainable Electrochemistry.