Prof. Dr. Michael Knap

Academic Career and Research Areas

Michael Knap is working in the field of condensed matter theory. His research is driven by the quest for unconventional quantum phases of matter in strongly correlated many-body systems, both in and out of thermal equilibrium. Interactions and correlations in condensed matter systems often manifest in striking and novel properties. These properties emerge from collective behavior of the quantum particles. To understand the role of interactions between such quantum particles, Michael develops novel numerical approaches based on quantum information theory, utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning, and develops algorithms for quantum computers.

Michael studied physics at Graz University of Technology, Austria. After obtaining his PhD in 2012, he held a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, USA. In 2015 Michael was awarded a Rudolf Mößbauer Tenure Track Assistant Professorship at the Technical University of Munich and was promoted to an Associate Professorship in 2021.

Awards

• ERC Consolidator Grant (2025), ERC Starting Grant (2019)
• Supervisory Award, TUM Department of Physics (2018)
• Promotio sub auspiciis Praesidentis rei publicae, Austria (2013)