Dark UNiverse Explorations
The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) Special Research Area (SFB) “Dark UNiverse Explorations – DUNE” creates an Austrian research network, connecting scientists at the University of Innsbruck, the University of Vienna, and the Institute for Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). Embedded into large international collaborations, such as the Euclid Consortium and COLIBRE, the interdisciplinary DUNE team probes the nature of the dominant invisible components of the Universe, dark matter and dark energy, by analysing Euclid and JWST observations and combining them with state-of-the-art simulations.
The general goal of the SFB Dark UNiverse Explorations (DUNE) is to study the dark Universe by confronting key challenges in cosmology and galaxy formation. For a holistic picture, it will use probes across extremely different mass and size ranges, from dwarf galaxies to galaxy clusters. DUNE links the expertise of the observational groups at Innsbruck University (CoIs Grandis, Linke, Marleau, Schrabback) and the ISTA (CoI Matthee), and combines them with the theory and simulation‑focused research at Vienna University (CoIs Hahn, Ploeckinger). With this team, we connect observations with improved model predictions, covering three of the most exciting Euclid & JWST science topics: cosmology using weak lensing data and galaxy clusters, small‑scale cosmological and astrophysical studies using dwarf galaxies, and the physics of galaxies at cosmic noon.
News
Start of new PhD Fellows within the SFB-DUNE project
13.04.2026: Isabella Grimaldi (SP 5)
13.04.2026: Sara Tacchetto (SP 5)
02.03.2026: Jonas Krüger (SP 2)
WELCOME!
New FWF Special Research Area on the Dark Universe
03.12.2025
The University of Innsbruck is coordinating a new FWF special research area on the dark universe, which seeks answers to the biggest questions in modern cosmology.
Events
Main Events
28.09.2026 –02.10.2026 First full team meating
Innsbruck
10.03.2026 Kick-off Event
at UIBK in HS C (VFH-Haus, Technikerstr. 25)
16:30 Welcome & Overview of the SFB
17:10 Break with refreshments
17:30 Physics Colloquium Talk
More Events
15.07.2026 Placeholder
Innsbruck
Projects
Members
The DUNE team from left to right: Oliver Hahn (University of Vienna), Laila Linke (University of Innsbruck), Sebastian Grandis (University of Innsbruck), Francine Marleau (University of Innsbruck), Sylvia Ploeckinger (University of Vienna), Tim Schrabback (University of Innsbruck) und Jorryt Matthee (ISTA).
Publications
Publications forthcoming.
Contact
Administrative Assistant
Dr. Irmgard Juen
+43 512 507 52057
sfb-dune@uibk.ac.at