Petra Rudolf

Petra Rudolf is Professor and Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen. She currently serves as Dean of Graduate Studies (since 2020) and previously directed the Groningen Graduate School of Science (2014-2018). Her leadership extends to nine years of involvement with the Zernike Institute management, including five years as Board Chair.

Her educational background includes a Laurea in Fisica (MSc in Physics) from Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' (1987) and a Doctorat en Sciences (PhD in Physics) from Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix de Namur (1995).

Rudolf's research focuses on materials science with particular emphasis on 2D materials, surface science methodologies, and complex molecular rotors and switches. Her work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications in nanotechnology and molecular electronics. With an h-index of 49 and over 8,820 total citations (Web of Science), her research has had significant impact in the field, including 17 articles with more than 100 citations each.

Analysis of her publication record reveals a strong focus on 2D materials (particularly germanane), molecular electronics, and surface science. Her work demonstrates consistent innovation in creating and characterizing novel materials, with applications spanning nanoelectronics, memory devices, and molecular machines. The research shows progression from fundamental surface characterization to applied nanotechnology with practical device implementations.

• Elected foreign corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Institute of Bologna (2020)
• President of the European Physical Society (2019-2021)
• Socio Benemerito of the Italian Physical Society (2018)
• Member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering (2016)
• Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau (2013)
• Fellow of the American Physical Society (2010)
• DESCARTES Prize of the European Commission (2008)

As an educator and mentor, Rudolf supervised 19 Bachelor's, 34 Master's, and 27 PhD theses, with notable representation of women in these traditionally male-dominated fields. During her tenure as Director of the Graduate School, seven programs were ranked first in the country by students, and applications increased by 28%. She has delivered over 100 invited talks worldwide and held visiting professorships at institutions including University of São Paulo, University of Santiago, and Università degli Studi di Cagliari.

Her leadership extends to the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, which rose to 4th place worldwide and 1st in Europe for materials science research during her nine-year management involvement. The institute serves as her primary research base where she continues to advance the frontiers of solid state physics and materials science.