Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOFJena (Germany) | June 25, 2026
“When Photonics Meets AI”: Register Now for the Career and Networking Event Photonics Day Jena 2026
Fraunhofer IOF’s networking event focuses on photonics and artificial intelligence
With Photonics Day Jena, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF and the Max Planck School of Photonics are once again inviting students and doctoral candidates to their international career and networking event on September 15, 2026. The event will take place in person in Jena, and participation is free of charge. The registration deadline is August 31.
Fraunhofer IOF, in cooperation with the Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP), is once again hosting Photonics Day Jena on September 15. This international networking and career event enables young talents in the fields of optics and photonics to engage with current topics in photonic technologies through lectures and interactive sessions. In addition, the event provides opportunities for mutual exchange, individual career planning, and practical knowledge transfer.
“When Photonics Meets AI”
Artificial intelligence (AI) opens up new possibilities for photonics research and its applications, while photonic technologies simultaneously point the way toward more powerful and energy-efficient AI systems. This year’s Photonics Day Jena is therefore themed “When Photonics meets AI” and will explore the opportunities, challenges, and application prospects at the intersection of AI, optics, and photonics through a keynote, presentations, and hands-on sessions.
A special highlight on September 15 will be a keynote by Utz Bacher on optical and non-optical elements for AI applications. Bacher is Vice President of Software at Q.ANT, where he is driving the development of photonic co-processing for applications in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
As part of the Photonics4Future lecture “Photons and Prompts: Gen-AI in the Quantum Photonics Lab,” Markus Leipe, a doctoral candidate at Fraunhofer IOF and the MPSP, will present application examples for large language models (LLMs), offer concrete tips for use, and discuss how young researchers can work responsibly with generative AI without neglecting scientific standards.
Networking, Careers, and AI
Photonics Day Jena also focuses on attractive networking opportunities and practical formats for individual career planning. At the “Career and Industry Brunch,” for example, students will have the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from renowned companies and institutes in the optics and photonics industry and establish valuable contacts.
The workshop “AI as a Scientific Partner in Photonics and Quantum Sciences” explores how AI can be used to analyze scientific questions and translate them into experimental ideas. Laboratory tours also offer a unique opportunity to experience cutting-edge photonics research at Fraunhofer IOF in the fields of quantum technology, communications, and AI, and to engage in direct dialogue with subject matter experts.
Supporting Emerging Talent
Following the technical presentations and hands-on sessions, the Applied Photonics Award 2026—a prize for young talent organized by Fraunhofer IOF—will be presented to honor particularly outstanding theses in the field of applied photonics. Other innovative ideas from the world of photonics will also be a central focus of the “Idea Pitches” hosted by Center of Excellence in Photonics, before the day concludes with an evening program in a lively atmosphere.
Those interested can also find the preliminary program with further details at: https://www.photonicsdays.de/en/program.html
Registration for this free event is open until August 31
Interested students and doctoral candidates can register for Photonics Day Jena by August 31. The event will be conducted in English.
Further information is available at https://www.photonicsdays.de/. Specific inquiries can also be directed to photonics.days@iof.fraunhofer.de .
#PDJena - The Photonics Days Jena on Social Media
Become a Partner of Photonics Day 2026
Photonics Day Jena 2026 is supported by: Phortify, Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Thuringia mbH, OptoSigma, Edmund Optics, and nanoplus Nanosystems and Technologies GmbH.
Are you interested in using our event as a platform to meet young talent in photonics? Then contact us at: photonics.days@iof.fraunhofer.de . We’d be happy to discuss your options with you!
