Rolf Matthias Diller

Professor Rolf Matthias Diller (born August 12, 1958 in Hamburg) is a C3 Professor of Biophysics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy in the Department of Physics at Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (RPTU). His office is located in Building 46, Room 258 at Erwin-Schrödinger-Strasse, 67663 Kaiserslautern.

Professor Diller leads the research group 'Biophysics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy' which conducts highly interdisciplinary research focused on fast and ultrafast dynamics in condensed phase systems. His work particularly examines reactive and non-reactive processes in biologically relevant molecules and metal-ligand complexes. To achieve femtosecond time resolution, his group develops and applies ultrafast laser spectroscopy methods.

His specific research interests include retinal proteins, phytochromes, blue light receptors, and spin-crossover systems. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate continued productivity in ultrafast spectroscopy of transition metal complexes, protein dynamics, and photoreceptor mechanisms. His work spans chemistry, physics, and biology, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.

Professor Diller has received continuous funding throughout his career, including DFG stipends during his postdoc and habilitation periods. Since 2011, he has been a member and project leader at the DFG Sonderforschungsbereich-TRR-88 'Kooperative Effekte in homo- und heterometallischen Komplexen (3MET)'. He also serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee for ELBE - Center for High-Power Radiation Sources in Dresden since 2004.

His advising and research activities include leadership of the Biophysics study program at RPTU Kaiserslautern and organization of interdisciplinary workshops such as the upcoming 'Perspectives in Biophysics' event in June 2025. Professor Diller maintains active collaborations with institutions including the Weizmann Institute of Science and Hebrew University in Israel.