Advanced synthesis and characterization are well-established in all research areas within MAINZ, and our PhD students can benefit from a large variety of cutting-edge research performed in MAINZ using advanced facilities and tools. Therefore, training within this technical training area builds largely on the research expertise present within the research groups of MAINZ. In particular, advanced polymer synthesis constitutes a renowned area of research within MAINZ. Besides advanced polymer synthesis, the rational design of inorganic building blocks (e.g. Heuslercompounds) and organic building blocks (e.g. new acceptors and donors) is part of the toolkit available within MAINZ. Combined hybrid structures and other more complex materials are a key constituent of the research at MAINZ. Especially the targeted synthesis of organic/inorganic hybrid structures is now in the focus of many PIs of MAINZ. In the past, we created hybrid structures from organic and inorganic materials. In the future, we will also create hybrid structures including bio-related materials. Advanced methods necessary to characterize multifunctional hybrid structures and bio-related materials include surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, scanning probe microscopy, single molecule spectroscopy, (spin-polarized) electron microscopy, Brillouin light scattering and innovative solid-state NMR spectroscopy. These characterization methods are well established at JGU and TUKL.