Dr. Martin Sarott wins FSE Postdoc Prize 2025

On January 5, the seventh FSE Postdoc Prize was awarded to Dr. Martin Sarott of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. He received the prize for his outstanding and forward-looking research on complex oxide thin films for sustainable and energy-efficient computing. His work demonstrates remarkable creativity, independence, and potential for scientific leadership. Professor Else Starkenburg presented the Postdoc Prize statue, which also comes with EUR 2,500 to support an international research visit.

The selection committee praised Martin for his excellent performance on all evaluation criteria: the innovative and creative nature of his work, his clear potential to establish an independent research line, the broad impact of his results, and his strong leadership qualities. He presented his research with enthusiasm and clarity, demonstrating both deep scientific insight and a collaborative, multidisciplinary vision.

About Sarott

Sarott’s research addresses one of today’s most urgent scientific challenges—the growing power consumption of computing, driven by increasing data and artificial intelligence applications. Since traditional silicon-based electronics are reaching their physical limits, he explores transition metal oxides as new functional materials for energy-efficient and “brain-inspired” computing. By developing ultrathin films and heterostructures of these oxides, he manipulates their electrical and optical properties to achieve functionalities that classical semiconductors cannot offer. His work on ferroelectric and memristive responses in these materials opens pathways toward low-power memory and logic devices that mimic the analog behavior of biological synapses.

Beyond his scientific accomplishments, the committee emphasized Sarott’s strong ideas on mentoring students and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration—qualities that mark him as an emerging leader in his field.

FSE Postdoc Prize

The FSE Postdoc Prize is an incentive to a successful postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty. It recognizes outstanding young researchers who have demonstrated excellent research and who are showing an exceptional promise for the future. This year’s selection committee was formed by Prof. Else Starkenburg (chair, Kapteyn), Dr. Michael Lerch (postdoc ambassador, Stratingh), Dr. Dina Maniar (postdoc ambassador, Zernike), Dr. Phoebe Lowy (Stratingh), Dr. Gabor Ersek (Zernike), Mathilde Engelsma-van Ommen (coordinator and jury secretary).