Martin Rahm

Group Leader
Professor of Theoretical Chemistry

martin.rahm@chalmers.se
+46 31 772 3050

Martin earned his Master’s degree in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in 2006. He continued there to complete a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 2011, working with the quantum chemistry group of Tore Brinck and the polymer chemistry group of Eva Malmström.

After his doctoral studies, Martin joined the University of Southern California as a postdoctoral researcher (2011–2014), where he focused on modeling and synthesis in Karl Christe’s research group. During this time, he collaborated extensively with Nobel Laureate George Olah and Surya Prakash’s group. From 2014 to 2017, Martin further broadened his expertise as a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, working in the combined theoretical chemistry and condensed matter physics group of Nobel laureate Roald Hoffmann and Neil Ashcroft.

Currently, Martin is Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at Chalmers University of Technology. His team develops methods for electronic structure analysis and applies quantum chemistry where experiments are challenging: matter under extreme pressure, the prebiotic chemistry of other worlds, and to materials that do not yet exist. Outside of academia, Martin enjoys spirited discussions, practicing martial arts, rock climbing, hiking, and exploring good books.

Interests

  • Chemical Bonding
  • Prebiotic Chemistry
  • Astrobiology
  • High Pressure Chemistry
  • Quantum Computation
  • Energetic Materials

                          

Past Experience and Education

Associate Professor
(2021 – 2025)
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

Assistant Professor
(2017 – 2021)
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

Postdoctoral Researcher
(2014 – 2017)
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology,
Cornell University, United States. 
Advisors: Roald Hoffmann and Neil W. Ashcroft
Theoretical Chemistry and Condensed Matter Physics 

Postdoctoral Researcher
(2011 – 2014)
Department of Chemistry, 
University of Southern California (USC), United States. 
Advisor: Karl O. Christe
Modeling and Synthesis of High-Energy-Density Materials

PhD Physical Chemistry
(2006 – 2011)
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden.
Supervisors: Tore Brinck and Eva Malmström.
Thesis: Green Propellants.
Research and teaching in mainly quantum and polymer chemistry. 

MSc Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
(2001 – 2006)
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden.
(2004 – 2005)
Exchange year, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.