Klaus Kern

Klaus Kern is Full Professor of Physics at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences, Institute of Physics, and the Laboratory of Nanoscale Science (LSEN). He concurrently serves as Director and Scientific Member at the Max-Planck-Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart and holds an honorary professorship at the University of Konstanz, Germany. His research is centered at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology, focusing on atomic-scale phenomena.

• PhD in Chemistry, University of Bonn
• Chemistry Degree, University of Bonn
• Honorary Doctorate, University of Aalborg

Professor Kern’s research lies at the forefront of nanoscale science and quantum technology. His work emphasizes the development and application of advanced scanning tunneling microscopy techniques to probe and manipulate matter at atomic and molecular scales. Key interests include quantum phenomena in nanosystems, single-molecule electronics, surface self-assembly, and quantum spin networks. His interdisciplinary approach bridges condensed matter physics, physical chemistry, and materials science, enabling breakthroughs in imaging, sensing, and control at the quantum limit.

The recent publications highlight a consistent trajectory in quantum nanoscience, particularly in probing electron dynamics, single-molecule vibrations, photon statistics, and spin manipulation using scanning tunneling microscopy. Themes include quantum control, nanoscale imaging, and quantum light-matter interactions, reflecting his leadership in pushing the boundaries of experimental nanophysics and quantum measurement.

Scientific honors include:

• Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz Prize (2008)
• Van't Hoff Prize (2016)

Kern has supervised over 100 PhD students and 60 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now lead academic groups worldwide. He has authored nearly 700 publications with approximately 60,000 citations, underscoring his significant impact. His work is supported by long-standing affiliations with EPFL and the Max Planck Society, where he leads cutting-edge research initiatives in quantum and nanoscale science. Kern has also contributed to advisory committees for universities and scientific institutions globally.

He leads the Laboratory of Nanoscale Science (LSEN) at EPFL and the Nanoscale Science Department at the Max-Planck-Institute for Solid State Research, fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary research in quantum materials, molecular electronics, and nanoscale imaging.