Prof. dr. Dr Jasper Knoester.
Prof. dr. Dr Jasper Knoester has been appointed Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion. Corresponding decorations were pinned to him on Thursday afternoon by Mayor Koen Schuiling of Groningen. This happened during Knoester’s official farewell to the University of Groningen (RUG).
Jasper Knoester (Hoensbroek, 1958) was for many years professor of Condensed Matter Theory, dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) and prorector of the University of Groningen. Since January 1, he has been dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Leiden University.
Connecting driver
Within the RUG, Knoester was regarded as a multi-talented pioneer and a visionary and connecting administrator. Since his appointment as dean in 2010, the Groningen Science Faculty (FSE) has grown into a modern organization with many English-taught courses and an open atmosphere. Within that climate, top science can thrive, top scientific talents from all over the world are brought to Groningen and important prizes are won, such as several Spinoza Prizes and even a Nobel Prize.
The faculty currently has more than seventy nationalities, while the number of students has doubled between 2010 and 2021; from 3500 to 7000.
creative scientist
Knoester has always combined his administrative work with his scientific work. Since his arrival in 1989, he has rapidly developed into a successful, creative scientist. In 1993 he was appointed professor of Condensed Matter Theory and founded the current top research school Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials (ZIAM), of which he was scientific director from 2003 to 2009.
His own (theoretical) research concerns electronic and optical properties of molecular materials, which are used in, among other things, cameras, TV screens and solar panels. He is (co-)author of some 195 articles and a much sought-after speaker at international conferences and colloquia at other institutions.
Empathetic and accessible
Knoester is not only praised for his scientific and managerial qualities, but also for his personal qualities and the respectful way in which he treats people: he is a good listener, calm and modest, empathetic and accessible.