The research conducted in the department of physics in Bayreuth focusses on three research areas, that are Solid State Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics and Soft Matter Physics. These areas are interlinked and overlap to some degree in their topics, for example through the choice of the investigated materials. The research group Solid State Physics comprises V. M. Axt, H. F. Braun, H. Pascher, A. Seilmeier, and S. van Smaalen. Subjects concerning Nonlinear Dynamics are investigated by H. R. Brand, T. Fischer, W. C. Müller, A. Peeters, I. Rehberg, M. Schmidt, and W. Zimmermann. Soft Matter Physics is the research topic of H. R. Brand, L. Kador, A. Köhler, J. Köhler, W. Köhler, S. Kümmel, E. Rößler, M. Schmidt, and M. Weiss.

Numerous research projects at the Department of Physics are part of national and international research networks. Some of these networks are:

Collaborative Research Centre 481

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is funding the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 481) "Complex Macromolecular and Hybrid Systems in Internal and External Fields "

Collaborative Research Centre 840

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is funding the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 840) "Von partikulären Nanosystemen zur Mesotechnologie "

Research Group 608

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has established a Research Group (FOR 608) at University of Bayreuth: "Nonlinear Dynamics of Complex Continua"

Research Training Group 1640

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has established a Research Training Group (GK 1640) at University of Bayreuth: "Photophysics of Synthetic and Biological Multichromophoric Systems"

Elite Network of the State of Bavaria

The Department of Physics is participating in the Elite Network Bavaria with International Elite Study Programme "Macromolecular Science" and Elite Graduate School Program "Lead Structures of Cell Function".