His research focuses on ultrafast laser spectroscopy (femtosecond pulses) and thus investigates dynamics at surfaces. His group investigates electronic and optical properties of a few atoms of thin two-dimensional systems (such as graphene or ultrathin crystals of transition-metal di-chalcogen compounds).
Heinz is one of the most cited scientists. Since 2019, the media group Clarivate counts him among the favorites for a Nobel Prize (Clarivate Citation Laureates).