The research group of AA is working on the design, epitaxy, and processing of semiconductor heterostructures and novel materials for optoelectronics and sensors. Topics of interest are: high-temperature THz quantum cascade lasers [AA1, opens an external URL in a new window,2, opens an external URL in a new window,KU3, opens an external URL in a new window], MIR intersubband lasers and photodetectors [AA3, opens an external URL in a new window], interband cascade lasers and detectors [AA4, opens an external URL in a new window], high-speed photodetectors [AA5, opens an external URL in a new window], epitaxy of metals and semiconductors [SP4, opens an external URL in a new window]. 

Link to Prof. Andrews group, opens an external URL in a new window

During her international career, NB has developed a multidisciplinary background in nano-technology, cluster chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and surface spectroscopy. She was able to fund her career, independently perform research and also managed two maternity leaves. She was recently awarded the FWF Elise Richter Fellowship, held the Marie Curie Fellowship and the Marie Heim Vöglin Fellowship. Controlling and understanding catalytic active centers to optimize their performance in various processes has been the driving force in her research. She has been one of the pioneers to explore the use of monolayer-protected metal nanoclusters on surfaces as heterogeneous catalysts with a surface science approach, using advanced spectroscopic techniques. Current research focuses on nanocluster catalysis, including synthesis at atomic level (6 to 100 atoms) of monometallic and bimetallic clusters [NB1, opens an external URL in a new window], chirality [NB2, opens an external URL in a new window], functionalization [NB3, opens an external URL in a new window], immobilization on oxides and thorough in-situ characterization [NB4, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window]. 

Link to Dr. Barrabés group, opens an external URL in a new window

The main topics of the research group of UD is surface physics using UHV-based surface science methods with extensions to solid-liquid interfaces and high-pressure reactions. Topics of interest include: measuring fundamental properties atom-by-atom [MW4, opens an external URL in a new window], model systems and single-atom catalysis [UD1, opens an external URL in a new window], surface polarity [UD2, opens an external URL in a new window], PLD growth of thin films [UD3, opens an external URL in a new window], interaction of water with solid surfaces [UD3, opens an external URL in a new window], influence of surface structure on electrochemistry [UD4, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window], development of novel techniques to combine UHV and liquid water [UD6, opens an external URL in a new window]. 

The research group of JF is working on thermodynamic phenomena and kinetic processes in solids caused by ion transport or ion reactivity. This includes defect chemistry in mixed conducting oxides, ionic mass and charge transport, electrochemical reactions at surfaces, impedance spectroscopy, solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells, interplay of light and defects [JF1, opens an external URL in a new window,2, opens an external URL in a new window,3, opens an external URL in a new window,4, opens an external URL in a new window]. Further interests are designing novel experimental methods [JF5, opens an external URL in a new window] and developing new theoretical concepts in solid state electrochemistry [JF6, opens an external URL in a new window]. 
Link to Prof. Fleig group, opens an external URL in a new window

The research group of MG focuses on oxide materials and investigates the structure-property relation of these compounds when grown into atomically-engineered heterostructures. The strong sensitivity of oxides to small perturbations turns thin films and superlattices into a rich platform to further manipulate their properties and even access novel electronic behaviors [MG2, opens an external URL in a new window,3, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window]. Strain, reduced dimensionalities or charge transfer are examples of the phenomena tackled at the interfaces between different oxide compounds [MG3, opens an external URL in a new window,4, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window]. In addition to the extensively investigated perovskite structure, MG is also exploring more complex double-perovskites [MG1, opens an external URL in a new window]. The expertise of the group encompasses from the growth of oxide heterostructures to the use of several advanced state-of-the-art techniques at large-scale facilities, but also involving laboratory-based structural, electric and magnetic measurements.

Link to Prof. Gibert group, opens an external URL in a new window

The research group of AG develops, implements and applies electronic-structure theory methods to study materials properties. The focus is on the accurate treatment of electronic correlation effects using many-electron quantum chemical wavefunction-based methods for weak and intermediate electronic correlation strengths: these methods have the potential to accurately predict many properties of interest for a wide range of solids and surfaces including, (optical) properties of defects [AG1, opens an external URL in a new window,2, opens an external URL in a new window], molecule-surface interactions for water-splitting materials [AG3, opens an external URL in a new window], chemical reactions on surfaces [AG4, opens an external URL in a new window] and pressure-temperature phase diagrams [AG5, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window].

The research group of GM is working on theoretical materials chemistry using methods from machine learning, density functional theory and Boltzmann transport theory. Topics of interest are neural network force fields [GM1, opens an external URL in a new window], global search methods [GM2, opens an external URL in a new window], thermochemistry of complex defects [GM2, opens an external URL in a new window,3, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window] and ferroelectrics [GM4, opens an external URL in a new window] as well as thermal and electric transport properties [GM3, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window].

The research group of KH develops new theoretical methods to describe the effects of electronic correlations such as density functional theory (DFT) + dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) [KH1, opens an external URL in a new window] and the dynamical vertex approximation [KH2, opens an external URL in a new window]. These cutting edge methods are applied to calculate correlated materials ranging from transition metals to heavy fermion systems. In S4F-Advanced the focus will be on transition metal oxide heterostructures and surfaces [KH3, opens an external URL in a new window,4, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window] and — for the associate PhD position — on topology [KH5, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window] and quantum criticality [KH7, opens an external URL in a new window].

The SP group studies quantum effects in solids, with focus on strong electronic correlations. It uses a broad spectrum of experimental techniques, from materials synthesis and design to sophisticated measurements including temperatures below 1 mK. Topics of interest are: quantum criticality [SP1, opens an external URL in a new window], Kondo effect [SP2, opens an external URL in a new window,3, opens an external URL in a new window], correlation-driven topology [SP4, opens an external URL in a new window], correlated thermoelectrics [SP5, opens an external URL in a new window], and ultralow thermal conductivity [SP6, opens an external URL in a new window].

The research group of AP is working on optical spectroscopy at terahertz and millimeter-wave frequencies in combination with static methods and in external electric and magnetic fields. Topics of interest are: magnetoelectric effect and excitations [AP1, opens an external URL in a new window,2, opens an external URL in a new window], (magneto-)optics in quantum wells and topological insulators [AP3, opens an external URL in a new window,4, opens an external URL in a new window], terahertz properties of metamaterials and non-reciprocal propagation of light [AP5, opens an external URL in a new window].

The research of GR focuses on in situ and operando studies of catalytic reactions, examining ongoing surface reactions by both spectroscopy and microscopy [GR1, opens an external URL in a new window]. Well-defined model catalysts are prepared and characterized in UHV [GR2, opens an external URL in a new window], but also examined at (near) atmospheric pressure by various surface-sensitive methods [GR3, opens an external URL in a new window,4, opens an external URL in a new window]. Surface microscopy in high vacuum [GR1, opens an external URL in a new window], is performed by various methods, even enabling single particle catalysis [GR5, opens an external URL in a new window]. The experimental results are typically complemented by computational studies and microkinetics [GR1, opens an external URL in a new window,6, opens an external URL in a new window]. To bridge the gap to applications, corresponding experiments are carried out for industrial-grade nanomaterials as well [GR6, opens an external URL in a new window,7, opens an external URL in a new window]. Recent topics include environmental (automotive) and energy-conversion catalysis (fuel cells), aiming at understanding catalytic activity/selectivity via fundamental mechanistic insight.

The main topics of the research group of KU are time-resolved spectroscopy of semiconductor and solid state structures and development of THz sources based on semiconductor nanostructures. Current interests are: study of carrier dynamics in nanostructures, relaxation and dephasing rates, intersubband optoelectronics [KU1, opens an external URL in a new window], Quantum Cascade Lasers [KU2, opens an external URL in a new window,3, opens an external URL in a new window], metamaterials [KU4, opens an external URL in a new window,5, opens an external URL in a new window], strong light matter coupling, and high-field phenomena [KU6, opens an external URL in a new window].

MW has won two prestigious fellowships for women; the FWF Hertha Firnberg and Elise Richter Grants. After post-docs in Erlangen and Brno, she is now back at TU Wien, where she is pursuing her habilitation. She has international reputation as expert in surface properties of In₂O₃, a versatile material that, in addition to its application in opto-electronic, shows high promise in energy-related chemical reactions. She is an expert in UHV-based characterization methods, including AFM and STM from cryogenic [MW1, opens an external URL in a new window,2, opens an external URL in a new window] to above room temperatures [MW3, opens an external URL in a new window], which she combines with a whole suite of spectroscopies. Through established collaboration with theorists [MW4, opens an external URL in a new window], she develops a full picture of molecular-scale reaction mechanisms relevant for emerging energy conversion schemes.