The scientific work at Leibniz IPHT focuses on optical health technologies and is guided by current medical questions and needs. The research is organized into six thematic areas: biomedical microscopy and imaging, multiscale spectroscopy, ultrasensitive detection, specialty fiber optics, nanoplasmonics, and bioanalytical and biomedical chip systems. All of these areas draw on the institute’s key technologies, such as micro-/nanotechnology, fiber technology, systems technology, and artificial intelligence methods.
Unfortunately, this video can only be downloaded if you agree to the use of third-party cookies & scripts.
At Leibniz IPHT, researchers from various scientific disciplines work hand in hand with technologists, engineers, and administrative professionals to make life safer, healthier, and more sustainable. Whether you are starting an apprenticeship, pursuing a PhD, or taking the next step in your career – we offer a job with purpose, room for personal and professional growth, and a work environment where everyone is respected and treated equally.
Our Competence Center for Micro- and Nanotechnologies specializes in the production of infrared thermal sensors and wafer-level nanostructuring. A highly skilled team of scientists, engineers, and laboratory technicians supports the development and manufacturing of sensors for a wide range of thermal sensing applications.
Researchers at Leibniz-IPHT make visible what happens in fractions of a second when light therapies attack cancer cells. They are developing a probe for cancer surgery that can detect and remove tumor tissue using laser light. With the help of smart AI technologies, they are overcoming the limitations of traditional optical imaging. In interdisciplinary teams, they work on diagnosing life-threatening infections, lay the groundwork for medical applications, explore alternative energy sources, and use light to better understand our planet and the universe.
The latest issue of our magazine reflexion showcases the wide range of projects our researchers are working on – together with partners from medicine and industry in Jena, across Germany, and around the world. With engaging interviews, striking photos, and many stories that show why teamwork and openness to the world are our greatest strengths.
For the Benefit of Society: From Ideas to Instruments
We develop light-based solutions to address the major challenges of our time – in medicine, health, security, the environment, and energy. Our goal is to ensure that the results of our research benefit society directly. To achieve this, we actively promote the transfer of our knowledge and innovations, making them accessible and usable for all. To strengthen this transfer, we collaborate closely within translational networks with partners from research, industry, and medicine – turning ideas into clinically proven, patient-friendly products and systems.
The Center for Biophotonic Technology and Artificial Intelligence (CeBAI) brings together photonic technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop innovative solutions for medicine and forensics – and to accelerate their path to market readiness. Learn more.
The Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI) is a globally unique translational infrastructure. Every stage of development – from concept to certified medical product – is considered as part of an integrated, holistic process. Learn more.
Partners from science and industry collaborate within the InfectoGnostics research campus on the infection diagnostics and research of tomorrow. New methods aim to reliably detect pathogens and antibiotic resistances. Learn more.
Concrete technological solutions for pressing medical challenges – that is the focus of the member institutes and partner companies of Leibniz Health Technologies. Through an interdisciplinary approach, prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and monitoring are brought together to improve quality of life. Learn more.
The study of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or cancer is a key focus of the Center for Translational Medicine. Its goal is to develop advanced diagnostic concepts and therapeutic approaches. Learn more.
Research Departments
Biophysical Imaging
Prof. Dr. Christian Eggeling
Clinical Spectroscopic Diagnostics
Prof. Dr. Ute Neugebauer
Fiber Optics
Prof. Dr. Tomas Cizmar
Fiber Photonics
Prof. Dr. Markus Schmidt
Microscopy
Prof. Dr. Rainer Heintzmann
