“Industrial companies can only benefit from such international expertise.”

Which topics did you work on as a researcher at Fraunhofer IAF?

In my first job at Fraunhofer IAF, I worked in the field of high-frequency technology. My focus were the structures of the chips that are manufactured here at the institute, but also antenna design and special designs for packaging. This is all quite complex because at very high frequencies, as they are researched here, many more parameters have to be considered. This is why I also looked at radar and were able to established a lot of contacts with industrial clients through the projects, which I really enjoyed.

Then why did you decide to go into industry?

It was mainly family reasons that led us to move to France. And since I wanted to do something different, I didn’t go into research there, but into industry. I took a job in project management at a medium-sized company based in Grenoble and spent two years there.

What experience from your work at Fraunhofer IAF have you been able to utilize most in industry?

The experience of working in a large international environment was definitely a great advantage. At Fraunhofer IAF, I was involved in many projects across Europe — from Sweden to France, Spain and Finland to Italy — and also in projects in the US. Any industrial company can only benefit from such international expertise. You know how to deal with different cultures and how to best address people. This is very important in industry.

There and back again—what experiences from industry have you brought back to Fraunhofer IAF?

I was able to gain extensive experience in the areas of processes and project management. I got to know new tools that are essential in an industrial environment because you work more closely with customers and develop customized products. I also gained valuable insights into customer relations during product development.

And what are you doing now at Fraunhofer IAF?

Currently, I am mainly involved in project management — an area that I deliberately chose for my second position because I not only enjoy it very much, but it also offers me umerous opportunities to work with different departments and business units.

Another focus of my work is the establishment of project management at the institute. I am shaping this process to gether with the new institute director, Dr. Patricie Merkert. She brings valuable impulses from her experience in industry and is keen to advance the topic at Fraunhofer IAF. In this role, I act as an interface between her and the rest of the institute in order to standardize processes and establish new structures, with the aim of making our Project management even more efficient.