Research creates perspectives: Günther Hasinger (DZA)
June 2026
Prof. Dr. Günther Hasinger is the Scientific Director of the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA). Under his leadership, a team of leading scientists from Germany won the competition “Knowledge Creates Perspectives for the Region.” Together with them, he is establishing the large-scale research center for astrophysics, technology development, and data science in Lusatia.
Who are you and what are you working or researching?
I am an astrophysicist, originally from Bavaria, where I studied and received my doctorate from Ludwig Maximilian University. My favorite topic is black holes, and in recent years I have been working on the question of whether dark matter might consist of primordial black holes. Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of assuming a number of different leadership positions at scientific institutions. I was Director of the Astrophysical Institute Potsdam (AIP) and, following this, succeeded my doctoral advisor as Director of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching. Later, I became Scientific Director of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching and Greifswald, before becoming Director of the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii. From there, I was appointed Science Director at the European Space Agency (ESA) in Madrid. It was from there that the unique opportunity arose to establish the DZA (Dark Matter Center).
Why did you come to the region and what convinced you to work here?
The opportunity to develop a unique, large-scale research center for fundamental physics with a significant impact on the region, essentially from scratch, comes along only once in a lifetime, and not for many scientists. When it became clear that the DZA had won the competition, my wife and I moved to Görlitz, lock, stock, and barrel. We knew that the center would only have a chance of becoming established with a critical mass of staff on site, and we led by example.
How did you experience your arrival in Lusatia and what do you like about living in cities like Görlitz?
Görlitz is a beautiful city, and we feel very much at home here. Of course, arriving from Hawaii via Madrid was a real culture shock. For example, coming from Spain, we were always used to crowds of people on the streets, and we rarely find that in Görlitz, especially in the summer. In the colder months, it feels like the sidewalks are rolled up. What we really enjoy is being able to stroll through the market or the old town and constantly bump into acquaintances for a friendly chat. I'm particularly pleased with my good relationship with Mayor Octavian Ursu. I met him quite by chance and completely unexpectedly at the music school's summer concert in the Lower Market Square during the preparation phase of our project, and he immediately invited me for a beer.
What makes the Lausitz science region special from your point of view?
There's a real sense of optimism and new beginnings. With the university, Senckenberg Research Institute, CASUS, and others, we've already had a strong scientific community for some time. Now the German Center for Astrophysics is joining us. Furthermore, our connections within the region are excellent: to Dresden, Cottbus, Wrocław, Warsaw, Liberec, and Prague. We're also exploring opportunities in Ukraine. From this tri-border region, we have a great opportunity to develop a truly thriving scientific landscape. We got a small taste of this at the third Görlitz Science Slam, which took place in the Rabryka cultural center in early April 2026. The breadth and excellence of the pitches presented there was simply breathtaking.
Do you have a personal tip for anyone who is new here?
Come without prejudice, let yourselves be swept away by the diverse cultural offerings and the beauty of the landscape, and organize a supply chain for things that are important to you but difficult to find in Görlitz. Be prepared to be patient with public transport, both local and long-distance.
Text: German Center for Astrophysics
This portrait was created in cooperation with Hi!Lusatia eV as part of the exhibition “Hi!Lusatia – Research creates perspectives” in the Brüderstraße Gallery in Görlitz.
