Early Career Researcher Dr. Kevin Synnatschke Awarded Prestigious Emmy Noether Grant

The Chair of Molecular Functional Materials at Technische Universität Dresden congratulates Dr. Kevin Synnatschke on receiving funding through the highly competitive Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG). This programme supports outstanding researchers in the early stages of their careers, enabling them to establish their own independent research group for a period of up to six years. This is an important step toward qualifying for a professorship.

Dr. Synnatschke completed his PhD in Physical Chemistry in 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Claudia Backes at Heidelberg University, where he developed versatile approaches for the exfoliation and characterization of various van der Waals materials. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research funded by a Walter Benjamin Fellowship in the group of Prof. Dr. Jonathan Coleman at Trinity College Dublin, investigating the impact of morphology on the performance of thin films produced from liquid-processed nanomaterials, particularly in the context of energy storage and flexible electronics.

Since June 2024, Dr. Synnatschke has been conducting research at the Chair of Molecular Functional Materials at TU Dresden and is part of the collaborative research center (CRC) 1415 with his own project. His current project, “2D Networks and Heterojunctions with Controllable Morphology from Nanosheet Inks”, focuses on understanding and controlling how the surface properties of both nanomaterials and substrates influence film formation. The overarching objective is to tailor inter-nanosheet interfaces and produce film structures that enable efficient charge and energy transport.

Beginning in April 2026, Dr. Synnatschke will establish his Emmy Noether Research Group “Intercalation-Driven Quantum Materials”. The group will explore the development of novel quantum materials based on ultrathin, micromechanically prepared layered crystals. By employing intercalation strategies, the research aims to generate new chiral optoelectronic and magnetic functionalities, opening up exciting possibilities in quantum science and nanotechnology.

The Chair of Molecular Functional Materials warmly congratulates Dr. Kevin Synnatschke and looks forward to continued scientific collaboration and innovation.