Departments
Structure and collaboration in our science programmes
Research at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin is organised into three science programmes. They structure activities across research, infrastructure and knowledge transfer and are closely interconnected.
Within these science programmes, departments bring together research fields and working groups and projects. Together, they form the foundation of the museum's interdisciplinary research.
The dynamics of nature
In this research area, we investigate the origin and evolution of the Earth and life. Our collection-based research analyses the processes that shape biodiversity and contributes to its discovery and documentation.
To the research area Dynamics of Nature
The department investigates how biodiversity changes across space and time – from genetic processes to ecosystems. It combines palaeobiological and contemporary perspectives to understand the causes and consequences of species change and environmental shifts.
The research combines methods such as genomics, bioacoustics and ecological analyses, using the museum’s collection as its central foundation. It helps to better contextualise current biodiversity crises and develop solutions.
More about the Department of Evolutionary Diversity Dynamics
Head
Prof. Dr Mirjam Knörnschild
Email: Mirjam.Knoernschild@mfn.berlinThe department investigates the evolution of architectural plans and key body structures in plants and animals. The focus is on how these characteristics arose, how they have changed over geological eras, and how they have shaped interactions with the environment and ecosystems.
The research is based on the museum’s collection and utilises methods such as CT scanning, 3D visualisation and phylogenetic analyses. It brings together different disciplines and contributes to our understanding of the development of biological diversity.
More about the Department of Evolutionary Morphology
Head
Prof. Dr. Nadia Fröbisch
Email: Nadia.Froebisch@mfn.berlinThe department investigates how processes within the Solar System have shaped the Earth’s development. Asteroids, meteorites and cosmic dust provide insights into the formation of the planets, their composition and the conditions under which the Earth became habitable. The focus is on reconstructing cosmic events from the geological record – and their impact on the lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
To this end, we analyse samples from impact craters, sediments, meteorites and micrometeorites, as well as data from space missions. Supplemented by laboratory experiments and simulations, we investigate the influx of cosmic material, the consequences of impacts and their significance for early Earth history and the development of life.
More about the Solar System, Impacts and Meteorites Division
Head
Prof. Dr Kai Wünnemann
Email: Kai.Wuennemann@mfn.berlinThe Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery accelerates the discovery and study of global biodiversity. It combines traditional taxonomy with genomics, robotics and AI to reveal previously unknown species.
This creates a scalable foundation for biodiversity research and conservation – from species discovery to global analysis of biological diversity.
More about the Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery
Director
Prof. Dr Rudolf Meier
Email: Rudolf.Meier@mfn.berlin
The future of the collection
In this area of research, we are continuing to develop the museum’s collection and opening it up to new perspectives in research and education. It forms the basis for international collaboration and new academic inquiries.
To the research area ‘The Future of the Collection’
The Research and Innovation Department coordinates collection-related research within the ‘Future of the Collection’ research area. It develops methods and approaches to further develop the collection as a modern, open research infrastructure.
The focus is on the preservation, cataloguing and usability of the holdings, the critical examination of acquisition contexts, and the linking and further development of data and standards. The work is interdisciplinary in nature and brings together the natural sciences, information sciences, material sciences, cultural studies and social sciences. The aim is to provide new impetus for the research, opening up and long-term safeguarding of global collections.
More about the Research and Innovation Department
Head
Anita Hermannstädter
Email: A.Hermannstaedter@mfn.berlinThe Infrastructure and Development Department is responsible for the management and further development of the museum’s physical and digital collection. It ensures the physical integrity of the objects, develops conservation standards and creates the conditions necessary for access to, use of and the sustainable development of the collection.
Key tasks include preparing the collection for relocations, migrating collection data into the Specify system, and expanding digital infrastructure. The aim is to secure and further develop the collection in the long term as a high-performance research and knowledge infrastructure.
More about the Infrastructure and Development Department
Head
Franziska Schuster
Email: Franziska.Schuster@mfn.berlinThomas Schossleitner
Email: T.Schossleitner@mfn.berlinThe Services Department acts as the interface between infrastructure and users. It develops and coordinates services that link research, the collection and the public, and enable the efficient use of resources.
The portfolio includes, amongst other things, interlibrary loans for exhibitions, collection-related logistics and on-demand digitisation. The range of services is complemented by library services, publication and data management, as well as training and advisory programmes and collaboration with external partners.
More about the Services Department
Head
Dr Frederik Berger
Email: Frederik.Berger@mfn.berlin
Society and nature
In this research area, we investigate how societies understand nature and respond to environmental challenges. We combine research with dialogue, encourage participation and translate scientific findings into social practice.
About the Society and Nature research area
The Exhibitions and Education Department regards public engagement as an integral part of research. It explores how scientific content can be made understandable, accessible and socially relevant, and translates findings into experiential formats.
The focus is on designing learning opportunities for different target groups, researching learning processes, and developing exhibitions and programmes as spaces for social dialogue. The team works closely with the Public Science Department as well as with internal and external partners.
More about the Exhibitions and Education Department
Head
Uwe Moldrzyk
Email: Uwe.Moldrzyk@mfn.berlinThe Public Science department explores science as a collaborative process between research and society. It develops and investigates formats in which participation is an integral part of scientific practice, and strengthens open knowledge infrastructures.
The focus is on the active involvement of citizens in research processes, the accessibility and usability of scientific findings, and the creation of interfaces between science, politics and society.
More about the Public Science Department
Head
Dr Susanne Hecker
Email: Susanne.Hecker@mfn.berlin
