The Institute of Physical Chemistry hosts three professors (Profs. Dres. Janek, Over, Smarsly) and three young investigators groups (Dr. Adelhelm, Priv.-Doz. Dr. Mellau, Dr. Brezesinski). The personnel of the institutes includes 53 persons, among them 5 permanent scientists, 8 staff members in technical/administrative services, 8 Postdocs, 27 PhD students and 5 diploma students. Within the university the institute is one of the most successful institutions with respect to third party funding. Third party funding has a part of approx. 2/3 in the total funding of the scientific staff.

The research at the Institute of Physical Chemistry is focussed on the Physical Chemistry of Solids, particularly within the three main groups in the directions solid state ionics and electrochemistry, Functional nanomaterials and surface chemistry and modell catalysis. The institute is one of the core areas within the Laboratory for Materials Research (LaMa) and is partner within the German competence network on electrochemistry. Correspondingly, the scientific equipment of the institute is based on methods and experimental resurces for solid state chemistry, interface and surface chemistry.

The members of the institute participate in all degree programs of the chemistry faculty. The lab courses in physical chemistry are among the cornerstones of the experimental education.