# Dr. Vulff — The Stainless Steel Rat character guide

> Dr. Vulff in The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the pure-hearted Dr. Vulff, Vulff, Vulff Sifternitz, Dear Doctor Vulff, that fumble-finger quack Vulff

**First appearance:** 0006-v

## Snapshot

A brilliant, self-pitying scientist whose inventions are indispensable and whose loyalty is always for sale to the highest bidder.

## Who they are

Dr. Vulff is the kind of genius who complains about the lack of good liquor while quietly building the technology that makes someone else's scheme possible. He is not evil so much as entirely self-interested, and he keeps a little blackmail film on hand in case his benefactor stops being generous. His work sits at the center of the plot, and his willingness to bend in any direction makes him a useful tool and a constant liability.

## Relationships

### [Angelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/angelina)

_professional_

Angelina employs Dr. Vulff as a scientist and ally, relying on his expertise for her schemes.

### [Zina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/zina)

_professional_

Dr. Vulff works alongside Zina as a colleague in scientific or criminal enterprises.

### [Count Cassitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/count_cassitor)

_professional_

Count Cassitor and Dr. Vulff have a business-like association, possibly involving scientific services.

### [Zina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/zina)

_professional_

Dr. Vulff works alongside Zina as a colleague in scientific or criminal enterprises.

### [Angelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/angelina)

_professional_

Angelina employs Dr. Vulff as a scientist and ally, relying on his expertise for her schemes.

## In the story

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/chapters/xii)

A disgraced former surgeon turned alcoholic; Jim hires him for an illegal operation and later sends him away.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as the surgeon who gave diGriz a new face; diGriz briefly considers killing him to eliminate a loose end.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/dr_vulff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters