Holger Kreckel

Dr. Holger Kreckel is a Senior Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, specializing in laboratory astrophysics, molecular ion spectroscopy, and quantum state dynamics. He obtained his doctorate in 2003 and habilitation in 2021 at Heidelberg University, advised by Andreas Wolf and Dirk Schwalm.

• Doctorate: Summa Cum Laude, University of Heidelberg (2003)
• Diploma: University of Heidelberg (2000)
• Habilitation: University of Heidelberg (2021)

Research focuses on interstellar chemistry, dissociative recombination, and ion-molecule reactions using cryogenic storage rings. Key projects include ERC Starting Grant ASTROLAB and DFG Priority Program 1573. Recent studies explore HeH+ reactions, rotational cooling of molecular ions, and quantum state imaging in astrophysical contexts.

Notable publications (2025–2022) address barrierless ion reactions, electron detachment dynamics, and isotope effects in interstellar clouds. Grants include ERC Starting Grant ASTROLAB and NSF funding for Heidelberg Ion Storage Ring studies. Teaching roles involve Molecular Astrophysics lectures at Heidelberg and Innsbruck universities, alongside experimental physics tutorials.

Scientific Contributions:

• ERC Starting Grant ASTROLAB (2012–2017)
• MPG Anschlussförderung (2017–2021)
• NSF Co-PI (2008–2011)

Service includes refereeing for Physical Review Letters and membership in the Swedish Research Council. He holds a patent for ion beam control technology and has supervised master’s and doctoral theses at MPI-K.