Karen Lienkamp

Karen Lienkamp is Professor of Polymer Materials at Saarland University, affiliated with the Department of Materials Science within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology. She leads an active research group focused on the design, synthesis, and application of advanced polymer systems for global challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and energy.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor/Master-level studies in Natural Sciences and Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and the Free University of Berlin (1998–2003)
• PhD from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (2006), conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
• Postdoctoral research at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Habilitation (venia legendi) in Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg (2017)

Her research centers on bioinspired and biomimetic polymers, adaptive and stimulus-responsive systems, polymer surface engineering, and sustainable materials. These areas are driven by the need for functional, environmentally conscious materials in biomedical and electronic applications. Her group employs precision synthesis and advanced characterization techniques in bulk, solution, and at interfaces.

Dr. Lienkamp has received significant recognition through competitive grants, including an ERC Starting Grant and a DFG Heisenberg Professorship, underscoring her scientific leadership. She mentors a diverse team of PhD and master’s students and collaborates across disciplines in materials science and engineering.

Her scientific honors include:

• Emmy Noether Program (DFG)
• ERC Starting Grant
• DFG Heisenberg Professorship
• Venia Legendi in Microsystems Engineering (2017)

She advises multiple graduate students and leads externally funded research projects. Her team includes postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, master’s and bachelor’s students, and technical staff. The research is conducted with support from major German and European funding bodies, enabling cutting-edge work in polymer science.

The Lienkamp Group operates within modern laboratory facilities at Saarland University’s Campus C4.2, with dedicated chemical and materials characterization infrastructure. The team is structured into scientists, students, and administrative/technical support, fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.