Michael Nicklas

Michael Nicklas serves as Group Leader in the Physics of Quantum Materials department at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (MPI CPfS) in Dresden, Germany. His research focuses on unconventional quantum phases under extreme conditions, utilizing hydrostatic and uniaxial pressure techniques to investigate novel states of matter in correlated electron systems.

His primary research interests span six key areas:

• Strongly correlated 4f and 5f-electron metals
• Topological materials including Weyl semimetals
• Unconventional superconductivity
• Quantum critical phenomena
• Frustrated spin systems
• High-pressure experimental methodologies

Nicklas develops specialized measurement techniques for thermodynamic, magnetic, and transport properties under pressure constraints. Current PhD projects under his supervision include pressure-tuning of unconventional superconductors (with Prof. Klauß) and topological materials (with Dr. Baenitz and Prof. Wosnitza).

His career progression includes:

• Diploma in Physics, University of Technology Darmstadt (1996)
• Research Associate, University of Augsburg (1996-2001)
• Doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Augsburg (2000)
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001-2003)
• Staff Scientist/Group Leader at MPI CPfS (2003-present)