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Come and join team terraplasma!

More about us

we are the cold plasma pioneers.

For more than 13 years, terraplasma has been a leader in the research and development of cold plasma. As a spin-off of the world-famous Max Planck Society, it is in our genes to not only explore the possibilities of this fascinating new technology, but also to find practical applications for this innovative solution to many of our current challenges.

management

Julia has been managing director of terraplasma GmbH since 2015 and was previously CEO of terraplasma's subsidiary terraplasma medical GmbH, with a strategic exit in 2023. Before founding terraplasma GmbH, she worked at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and received her doctorate in biophysics at the LMU (Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich).

Dr. Julia Zimmermann

Founder and Managing Director

Rico ist Managing Director und leitet seit Mai 2021 die technologische Innovation bei terraplasma. Mit seinem ausge-prägten Unternehmergeist leitete er zuvor Forschungs- und Entwicklungs-abteilungen und war Mitbegründer der Dynamify GmbH, wo er seine Expertise in fortschrittlichen technischen Lösungen unter Beweis stellte. Er bringt umfangreiche Erfahrungen in der Entwicklung von Spitzentechnologien mit, insbesondere in der Medizintechnik und bei Kaltplasmaanwendungen.

Rico Unger

Managing Director

Spin off

of Max Planck Gesellschaft

Prof. Dr. Gregor Morfill is known for his work in astrophysics and plasma physics. After completing his doctorate at Imperial College London, he held various prestigious positions, including professorships at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics and at the University of Heidelberg, and since 1984 he has been director of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.

Prof. Dr. Gregor Morfill

Founder

team

Alex, who grew up in the Allgäu, studied chemical engineering at TUM (M.Sc.). After three years as a production engineer at DELO, he developed innovative prototypes and device components at terraplasma. Known for his technical know-how – and fascinating facts that you were never looking for but always needed.

Alex

Claudia, M.Sc. Biology, heads the microbiological laboratory (S1) at terraplasma. She plans and carries out microbiological experiments, evaluates data and creates reports. With expertise in cell biology, molecular biology and microbiology, she ensures the highest standards in research and quality management.

Claudia

The journalist and communications scientist Florian (M.A.) is Director Marketing, Communications & Business Development at terraplasma. With extensive experience in B2B marketing, branding and PR as well as his expertise in lead generation and international innovation communication, he drives the company strategy forward.

Florian

Hannes is a project manager at terraplasma and an expert in plasma source technologies and materials. With a master's degree in electrical engineering and research experience in cold plasma under zero gravity conditions, he leads innovative projects on cold plasma applications on surfaces, in the air and in water. He is also responsible for research projects and the company's IT infrastructure.

Hannes

Karin has a degree in business administration (LMU) with extensive international experience, which she gained while studying in Japan. After five years in international reinsurance, she lived abroad for ten years. At terraplasma, she is the central interface for back office tasks and is responsible for finance, HR, patents and administrative processes.

Karin

Markus Mair, M.Sc. in electrical engineering of mobile systems, heads the physical-technical laboratory at terraplasma. He develops efficient and performance-optimized plasma controls and advances electronics development. His expertise ensures innovative solutions for the application of cold plasma in various technological areas.

Markus

Robert, chemical engineer (TUM), combines experience in plasma development, construction, biological research and funding applications. As project manager for water strategy at terraplasma, he shapes the development of innovative water solutions and drives forward-looking technologies - with strategic foresight and interdisciplinary know-how.

Robert

Sylvia

Sylvia, bioengineer and early employee at terraplasma, is responsible for business development and researching new applications as Head of Business Growth. As a quality management officer, she ensures the highest standards. Her experience in micro- and cell biological analyzes as well as plasma device development makes her indispensable for the team.

Sylvia

Marcella is a working student in the field of cold plasma technology. She is studying Molecular Biotechnology (M.Sc.) at the Technical University of Munich and researched the microbial effectiveness of different types of plasma in her Bachelor's thesis. With her in-depth knowledge, she supports innovative developments in the field of plasma applications and disinfection technologies.

Marcella

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Sylvia

Would you like to join us? Then take a look at our careers page to see if there is a suitable position for you. Or send us an unsolicited application - we look forward to receiving your application.

You?

careers

Why should you start with us? We are a team of specialists of different genders, diversity, ages and disciplines. Complement us with your individual character and expertise. We are flexible – whether on a PC, a tablet, in the laboratory, in the office or from home or on the go: we work from anywhere and are happy to work with you. And you divide your work yourself in consultation! We offer a permanent employment contract, a decent fixed salary, flexible working hours tailored to you and your personal environment, 30 days of vacation and other benefits such as bike leasing. Motivation comes from fun – fun at work and in a team. Both are not neglected for us, because we all feel comfortable and speak openly if something doesn’t fit.

current job offers

  • Are you one of those whose vision for the future aligns with our corporate goals?
  • Would you like to contribute your experience to the world of cold plasma applications?
  • Are you a student and would like to start a bachelor’s or master’s thesis in the field of cold atmospheric plasma?
  • Are you looking for a permanent position or part-time job and want to help us achieve our company goals?
  • Are you interested in working in our interdisciplinary and diverse team?

 

Our vacancies are always open to aspiring personalities like you! Please send us your application documents stating your desired starting date to bewerbung@terraplasma.com.

We look forward to getting to know you!

Who are we looking for?

  • Are you looking for a working student job with flexible working hours on the modern business campus in Garching?

  • Are you studying media, communication, economics, humanities and social sciences, (business) psychology or related courses and ideally have already gained initial experience in the areas of PR, social media, online marketing and CRM?

  • As a budding marketing and communications professional, do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment with a small team where each individual makes a difference?

Then we are looking for you!

What are you doing with us?

  • You will become part of the marketing, communications and business development team

  • You will think about suitable topics and their implementation for our social media channels on LinkedIn and Instagram

  • You research and write texts, think of suitable illustrations and photo motifs

  • You maintain our website (WordPress with Elementor) with content and translations

  • You enter customer contacts into our CRM Hubspot

What are you bringing with you?

  • You like to work creatively, independently, structured and carefully and feel comfortable in a team

  • MS Office, WordPress/Elementor and Adobe CC are not completely new territory for you, but you already have some experience in them

  • You are very good in German (native language/C2) and ideally your English skills are good to very good

What can you expect from us?

  • Equal opportunities for everyone – you can be exactly who you really are, realize your ideas and grow in the process

  • We live and love diversity – not just a good atmosphere, but the best atmosphere with real team spirit and flat hierarchies

  • Exciting, varied projects and challenges for well-known brands from a wide range of industries

  • Flexible working hours and mobile working options

  • Different feel-good managers on four paws

Interested?

Then please send your application documents by email to info@terraplasma.com stating your earliest possible starting date

We look forward to getting to know you!

Download Stellenausschreibung

 

    • Are you one of those whose vision for the future aligns with our corporate goals?
    • Would you like to contribute your experience to the world of cold plasma applications?
    • Are you a student and would like to start a bachelor’s or master’s thesis in the field of cold atmospheric plasma?
    • Are you looking for a permanent position or part-time job and want to help us achieve our company goals?
    • Are you interested in working in our interdisciplinary and diverse team?

    Our job offer is always open to aspiring personalities like you! Please send us your application documents, stating your desired starting date, to info@terraplasma.com

    We are looking forward to meeting you!

history

saturn ringe

foreword: dusty plasma physics

The initial spark came after Gregor Morfill moved to the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg in 1974. His interest in “dusty plasmas” was sparked by his interaction with his new colleagues Eberhard Grün and Hugo Fechtig, who were studying and reseraching the physics and dynamics of microscopic dust particles in interplanetary space and the magnetosphere. Although he didn’t know it at the time, fundamental research into dust-plasma interactions made everything that followed possible – including all the science and innovations at Cold Plasma.

plasma crystals

chapter 1: all about plasma crystals

During his research at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics – Morfill had just been appointed director and had his hands full organizing his team, his workplace and his priorities – he came across the theory of “plasma crystals”. You have to remember that plasmas are considered the most disordered form of matter – and a possible strongly coupled solid state was considered impossible.

A close colleague suggested that he could do some research with his “dusty plasma background” and see if this theory could be verified. However, it took him a few years to start this exotic “plasma crystal research” as the theory kept haunting his mind. He then carried out a comprehensive analysis of the physics (with the surprising result that it was (theoretically) quite possible to create plasma crystals experimentally), but was harshly rebuffed by his colleagues in plasma physics and told that the theory was nonsense.

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chapter 2: the universe - (in)finite expanses

The response from the scientific community to Morfill’s first presentation was overwhelming. But Morfill needed weightlessness – and got help from the journal Nature, which not only published his results, but also made a polite request to allow experiments in weightlessness (microgravity) if there was space on one of the flights into space. This request was answered by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which offered Morfill to carry out experiments in weightlessness using parabolic flights and rocket test flights.

Visualising the laws of physics pillars

The great excitement in the scientific community ended with the fact that experiments in weightlessness were offered on the ISS (International Space Station) under the name “plasma crystal”. Since then, there have been various plasma crystal laboratories operated by over 30 astro- and cosmonauts on the ISS to this day. The current laboratory, PK4, is installed in ESA’s Columbus module.

MPG Garching MPE small NOT LICENSED
Logo Max Planck Gesellschaft

chapter 3: back on earth

So Morfill had proved that cold plasma could be generated in a controlled environment – but what was the practical aspect of this? What kind of solutions could be created? And finally – what would the cold plasma business look like? This is where his daughter Dr. Julia Zimmermann came in.

She also worked with cold plasmas at Max Planck, and with a strong medical background, her stated goal and motivation was to improve the healing of chronically infected wounds with these partially ionized gases. Her experiments focused on finding the plasma composition that would kill bacterial cells – but not the patient’s eukaryotic cells. Cold plasmas can be generated in different ways and produce a chemical cocktail that is applied to the wound. The first device was the size of two refrigerators – but at least it worked.

After conducting the first clinical trial, Morfill and Zimmermann founded the company terraplasma with the aim of developing a plasma device that was small and cheap enough to be easily brought to market.

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chapter 4: medical technology

The process of developing and bringing a medical device to market is much more complex, time-consuming and strenuous than writing a scientific paper or conducting research in the laboratory. Ensuring the successful launch of a groundbreaking medical product requires a lot of money and the right team. At a Business Angel Day, Morfill and Zimmermann networked with other founders who were able to develop medical products – the subsidiary terraplasma medical was born.

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The team of this newly founded company brought the innovative hand-held device called plasma care to market in a record time of less than 2 years. During plasma care, bacteria, including multi-resistant pathogens, viruses, fungi and spores, are inactivated by the cold plasma. At the same time, the cold plasma actively stimulates cell renewal and supports simple, quick and effective wound healing. This treatment method is also free of allergies and side effects.

Phlas mood Badezimmer

chapter 5: skincare

Together with hyped about science GmbH, terraplasma developed the compact consumer device Phlas. This uses cold plasma technology to regenerate the skin, reduce redness and treat blemishes and spots without irritating ingredients. Thanks to plasma, Phlas is gentle, free from heat or harsh chemicals and therefore suitable for all skin types. The development of this consumer device is based on extensive experience from device development in the fields of medicine, household appliances and laboratory equipment and has been integrated into a compact and attractive design.

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Epilogue: water treatment

The success stories illustrate the wide range of applications for cold plasma technology and terraplasma GmbH’s commitment to developing innovative and sustainable solutions for current challenges.

The company is now focusing on the field of water treatment with cold plasma in order to make its contribution to a sustainable economy and viable water management Cold plasma has the potential to revolutionize water treatment, as this technology offers decisive advantages over conventional disinfection methods such as UV, chlorine, ozone or reverse osmosis. Cold plasma works with highly reactive species directly in the water. This efficiently eliminates bacteria, viruses, organic impurities, pollutants and trace substances – without the use of additional chemicals or residues.