On January 1st, 2018, CEC Director Frank Neese joined the neighbouring Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. He takes over the position of emeritus director Walter Thiel and heads the Department of Molecular Theory and Spectroscopy.

During the course of the year, his research group will also move to the neighbouring institute. Frank Neeee's area of expertise is the calculation of the electron structure of large molecules. In addition to developing his own methods, his team will work closely with the research departments of the MPI für Kohlenforschung in order to contribute to solving outstanding problems. Together with his specialists in spectroscopy, he is bringing a significant expansion of analytical instruments to the institute.

Frank Neese's move to the MPI für Kohlenforschung is also the starting signal for the Chemistry Campus in Mülheim. Synergies between the two Max Planck Institutes will be newly created and strengthened. CEC Director Walter Leitner, who was appointed last year, has also taken up some research activities at the neighbouring institute. In addition, a so-called "Joint Workspace" was created, which enables barrier-free cooperation between the two institutes.