Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order

The Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O) is a Research Cluster jointly carried by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Heidelberg University.

It pursues an interdisciplinary approach through conjunction of natural, engineering, and social sciences. 3DMM2O establishes scalable digital 3D Additive Manufacturing transcending from the molecular to the macroscopic scale.

The main task of the Cluster is to take 3D Additive Manufacturing to the next level by breaking current barriers of scale, precision and speed. The Cluster 3DMM2O aims at advancing 3D Additive Manufacturing from the macroscale to the micro-, nano-, and eventually to the molecular scale and at implementing the technology in three selected application areas.

Research Program

More than 30 Principal Investigators work interdisciplinary in three Research Areas towards a common goal. Research Area Molecular Materials (A) focuses on designing novel molecular “inks” and “resists”, thereby providing the basic building blocks. Research Area Technologies (B) is concerned with advancing the technology of 3D Additive Manufacturing in terms of spatial resolution, speed, scalability, and multi-material printing. The joint advances of Research Areas A and B will create a “technology push”. Building on this “push”, Research Area Applications (C) explores the possibility of novel applications in materials and life sciences.

HEiKA Graduate School on “Functional Materials”

The HEiKA Graduate School on “Functional Materials” with its about 100 members is a central structural element of the Cluster. The Graduate School offers a module program preparing the Doctoral Researchers for a highly interdisciplinary research field. In addition, annual Research conferences in rotating subfields of our Cluster and annual retreats of the Doctoral Researchers are part of the Graduate School program. Furthermore, we regularly offer welcome and networking events.

The Graduate School’s structures contribute to the continuous deepening of the partnerships and to the development of new cross-disciplinary connections between the PIs, Doctoral Researchers and PostDocs from KIT and Heidelberg University.

Training Program

The HEiKA Graduate School offers a training program with a variety of modules preparing the doctoral researchers for a highly interdisciplinary research field.

The hands-on Scientific Modules help the doctoral researchers to tackle the technical challenges for their experimental or theoretical work in a highly interdisciplinary environment. Additionally, they learn about the expertise and infrastructure available within the Cluster.

The Management Modules, which are an integral part of the HEiKA Graduate School, let doctoral researchers gain management expertise. Being able to choose out of six units, participants learn new and applicable skills e.g., project management, human resource management and marketing. 

Members of the HEiKA Graduate School on Functional Materials with a particular interest in management topics that goes beyond the mandatory module requirements have the opportunity to take part in the MBA Fundamentals Program.

Mentoring Program

In order to provide a clear and defined structure of supervision, every doctoral researcher in the HEiKA Graduate School has a Mentoring Committee, which they choose together with their supervisor to offer expert advice.

Applications

Find open positions here: www.3dmm2o.de/jobs.php

There is also the possibility to apply for a doctoral scholarship funded by Carl Zeiss Foundation in the HEiKA Graduate School. The scope of the scholarship is the preparation of a doctoral thesis in the thematic fields of the Cluster.

Application Portal

All applications for doctoral positions have to be processed through the application portal of the HEiKA Graduate School.