The theoretical and empirical projects of the SFB are highly synergistic and the collaborative nature of the SFB will provide an inspiring academic environment and promote curiosity-driven research. The interaction between projects of the SFB is strongly facilitated by a long-standing track record of fruitful interactions among the PIs. The PhD students and postdocs in the SFB will benefit enormously from these tight interactions.

To ensure a good integration of experiment and theory, researchers have the opportunity to spend some time in a group from the other “camp”. These regular exchanges will improve the mutual understanding of concepts and problems, ensure that the theoretical work is guided by experiments (and vice versa) and will represent a true added value of the SFB. In addition to the formal supervisor, both PhD students and postdocs will have at least one co-advisor with complementary expertise.