The group operates at the interface of supramolecular chemistry and biological systems, aiming to understand how molecular structure and dynamics govern function in complex assemblies. By exploiting dynamic, directional, and reversible non-covalent interactions, the research focuses on designing supramolecular polymers and materials with programmable, adaptive, and life-like properties.
A central goal is to correlate molecular-level interactions with emergent behavior, enabling control over self-assembly, phase behavior, and functionality. Drawing inspiration from biological systems, these efforts provide fundamental insights for the development of active, responsive, and multifunctional soft materials, with potential applications across nanoscience, biomedicine, and advanced materials design.
The controlled self-assembly of molecular building blocks into supramolecular polymers in water is a central theme of this research. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding and manipulating kinetic pathways and intermediate states during nucleated self-assembly. By combining experimental and computational approaches, the Dhiman group investigates how energy landscapes can be reshaped using external stimuli and interfaces, such as liquid–liquid boundaries, to direct structure formation. This enables control over competing assembly pathways and provides access to metastable states that determine final material properties (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017; Science 2022).
Inspired by biological systems, this research focuses on how multivalency, oligomerization, and conformational flexibility regulate function in proteins and synthetic analogues. Using macromolecular scaffolds such as dendrimers and supramolecular host–guest systems, the group develops switchable and stimuli-responsive assemblies that mimic protein behavior. These systems enable controlled transitions between monomeric, oligomeric, and higher-order states, providing insight into protein regulation and facilitating the design of functional biomimetic materials (Nat. Commun. 2021; Angew. Chem. 2017).
The Dhiman group explores how defects in supramolecular assemblies influence material properties, extending concepts from solid-state physics to soft matter. Rather than eliminating disorder, this work leverages packing frustration and dynamic defects to tune adaptability, transport, and responsiveness. Recent findings show that stereochemical variation introduces controlled packing defects, which modulate structural order and functionality in supramolecular polymers . This research establishes defect engineering as a powerful strategy for designing adaptive materials (Soft Matter 2020; ACS Nano 2021).
A major research direction is the study of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) as a mechanism for organizing matter in both biological and synthetic systems. The group investigates how molecular parameters—including chirality, multivalency, and interaction strength—govern coacervate formation, internal organization, and selective permeability. Their work demonstrates that stereochemistry can act as a key design variable, programming mesoscale properties such as stability and molecular partitioning in peptide-based condensates . This contributes to a molecular-level understanding of biomolecular condensates and membraneless organelles (Nat. Commun. 2021; Commun. Chem. 2024).
A cross-cutting research field involves the development of dynamic, fuel-driven, and stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems that operate under non-equilibrium conditions. By incorporating chemical fuels, light (photocaging), or enzymatic reaction networks, the group creates systems with temporal control over assembly, disassembly, and function. These approaches enable transient states, programmable lifetimes, and adaptive behavior, bridging supramolecular chemistry with systems chemistry and life-like materials (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017; Angew. Chem. 2017; Angew. Chem. 2025).
Shikha Dhiman is a Professor of Physical Chemistry of Supramolecular Systems at the Department of Chemistry at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (Germany). She is also co-affiliated with Technical University Darmstadt and affiliated as a Junior Faculty with Max Planck Graduate Center, Mainz.
Before this, she was a Junior Professor of Physical Chemistry of Supramolecular Systems at the Department of Chemistry at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (Germany). Her research interests lie at the interface of supramolecular chemistry and biological systems. Her focus is to understand structure and dynamics at the molecular level and to correlate them with their function using advanced techniques. Thus developing life-like systems inspired by nature. Shikha Dhiman grew up in the capital of India, Delhi. She did her Bachelor’s in Chemistry from the University of Delhi and then moved to Bangalore, India for her Integrated Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore. In the group of Prof. Subi J. George, she pursued her Ph.D. in the field of Supramolecular Chemistry focusing on strategies to create non-equilibrium transient systems and materials. Then her love for science, brought her to Europe, specifically to the Netherlands in the group of Prof. E. W. (Bert) Meijer as a postdoctoral researcher at the Eindhoven University of Technology. During her stay at Eindhoven, she received Marie-Curie fellowship, ICMS fellowship, WIMA award and was chosen as a Rising star by the University of Freiburg. In 2023, she was appointed as Junior Professor in the University of Mainz. She received Thieme Chemistry Award 2024.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
03.2026 – present Professor (co-affiliate), Department of Chemistry, Technical University Darmstadt, Germany
08.2024 – present Professor of Physical Chemistry of Supramolecular Systems, Department of Chemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
11.2023 – present PI, SFB 1552: Defects and Defect Engineering in Soft Matter
11.2023 – present Gender Equality Representative, GRK2516
06.2023 – present Junior Faculty, Max Planck Graduate Center, Mainz
04.2023 – present PI, GRK 2516: Structure Formation of Soft Matter at Interfaces
03.2023 – present Associated PI, SFB 1551: Polymer Concepts in Cellular Function
02.2023 – 07.2024 Junior Professor of Physical Chemistry of Supramolecular Systems, Department of Chemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
09.2021 – 01.2023 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), The Netherlands
09.2021 – 01.2023 Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) Fellow, ICMS, TU/e, The Netherlands
08.2020 – 08.2021 Post-doctoral Researcher, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
01.2020 – 06.2020 Research Associate, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, India
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS (Selected)
- Certificate of Excellence in 2024 by Bharat Vasi Germany e.V for contributions to the field of supramolecular chemistry in advancing next-generation smart (bio) materials.
- Thieme Chemistry Award 2024 by Thieme Journal.
- Women Interactive Materials Award 2021 runner-up organised by DWI–Leibniz-Institut für Interaktive Materialien.
- Awarded “Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Fellowship” in 2021 for excellence in research at TU/e.
- Awarded “Freiburg Rising Star” in FRSA in 2021 by University of Freiburg, Germany as highly talented early career researcher.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship 2021 by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 899987.
- Awarded “Babu Matru Prasad Scholarship” for excellence in 2015 by JNCASR, India.
- Awarded International travel grant from Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India.
This course, taught by Prof. Shikha Dhiman, provides a comprehensive introduction to spectroscopy as a fundamental tool to probe molecular structure, dynamics, and energy through light–matter interactions.
The lecture covers the theoretical foundations and practical principles of molecular spectroscopy, including rotational, vibrational, Raman, optical (absorption and luminescence), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Emphasis is placed on understanding how spectroscopic techniques reveal molecular structure, motion, and electronic properties, grounded in concepts from quantum mechanics and physical chemistry.
Through lectures and accompanying exercises, students develop the ability to interpret spectroscopic data and apply theoretical concepts to real systems, forming a basis for advanced studies in chemistry, materials science, and molecular research.
Registration is carried out via JOGU-StINe. Additional course materials are available on the Moodle learning platform.
This course, taught by Prof. Shikha Dhiman and Prof. Andreas Walther, is part of the Macromolecular Chemistry curriculum and focuses on the synthesis and material properties of macromolecules.
The lecture provides a fundamental understanding of polymer synthesis mechanisms and structure–property relationships, covering key topics such as step-growth and radical polymerization, controlled radical polymerization, copolymerization, ionic polymerization, and polyinsertion methods. In addition, the course addresses polymer modification strategies, characterization techniques (e.g., GPC), and mechanical properties of polymeric materials.
Through lectures and accompanying exercises, students develop a comprehensive understanding of how polymer structure influences material behavior, forming the basis for the rational design of advanced macromolecular systems.
Registration is carried out via JOGU-StINe. Additional course materials are available on the Moodle learning platform.
This course, co-taught by Prof. Shikha Dhiman together with Prof. Andreas Walther, Prof. Pol Besenius, Prof. Sebastian Seiffert, and Prof. Holger Frey, provides an advanced overview of the synthesis, properties, and applications of modern polymer materials.
The lecture combines fundamental concepts with industrial perspectives, covering topics such as rheology, viscoelasticity, rubber elasticity, polymer dynamics (e.g., reptation), and mechanical properties, as well as characterization techniques including scattering methods. In addition, the course addresses contemporary developments in polymer science, including block copolymers, dendrimers, responsive and self-healing materials, sustainable polymers, and advanced manufacturing approaches such as 3D printing.
Through lectures and a complementary seminar format, students gain insight into how molecular design and processing influence material performance, bridging fundamental polymer science with real-world applications in modern materials chemistry.
Registration is carried out via JOGU-StINe. Additional course materials are available on the Moodle learning platform.
This course is jointly taught by Prof. Shikha Dhiman, Prof. Pol Besenius, and Prof. Andreas Walther. It is part of the Macromolecular Chemistry specialization within the MSc Chemistry program and is also offered as an elective in the MSc Biomedical Chemistry.
The lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the structure, dynamics, and characterization of supramolecular systems derived from (bio)organic molecules and (bio)macromolecules. Key topics include molecular recognition, weak non-covalent interactions, and the principles of self-assembly and self-organization in both natural and synthetic systems. In addition, the course covers biological and chemical reaction networks, their dynamic behavior, and distinctions between equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems.
Further topics include DNA nanoscience, systems chemistry, and the design of adaptive and interactive material systems, which are discussed in the context of modern supramolecular and materials chemistry.
Registration is carried out via JOGU-StINe. Additional course materials are available on the Moodle learning platform.