After completing my doctorate, I spent a year as a postdoctoral researcher at the "Center for Catalysis Research and Innovation" in Ottawa, Canada. Grillo became aware of me through the GDCh applicant database* and brought me back to Germany with a job offer before the application phase I had originally planned. I accepted the offer without any great expectations. In retrospect, I am very surprised and also extremely grateful for the opportunities, trust and flexibility I was afforded at the medium-sized family business. During my studies, I was led to believe that high-level research was only possible at "the chemical giants", research institutions or universities. This turned out to be fundamentally wrong.

_{* Editorial staff note: The applicant database is no longer active}

Currently, I am Head of Product and Process Development. In this role, I manage the R&D chemistry laboratory and the chemistry pilot plant. I am also the operations manager of a pilot plant for producing a “green acid” for applications in the electroplating, pharmaceutical or cleaning products industries. In these roles, I manage the pilot plant operations team as well as the pilot plant and laboratory teams. These include engineers, chemists, laboratory technicians, mechanics and chemical operators.

The tasks cover three areas: a) Supporting production operations & optimising existing production processes b) Answering chemical questions c) Developing innovative & advanced production processes.

Alongside sound knowledge in all areas of chemistry, proficiency in English, perseverance, resilience, creativity and a willingness to continue learning and think outside the box are important. It is also helpful to look beyond one’s immediate surroundings and demonstrate openness, tolerance and empathy. A willingness to travel is also important.

A certain degree of “practical” aptitude in the laboratory and pilot plant is also significant, even if one may no longer be directly involved in “practical work”. In conclusion, it can be said that success cannot be expected from a “9-to-5 job”. Ideas usually arise outside working hours and are lost if they are not immediately thought through to the end. Flexibility is therefore very important.

After initially dealing with accumulated emails, I usually take a tour of the laboratory and pilot plant to discuss the latest results and other processes, as well as clarify any questions. I then return to my desk to deal with enquiries and messages. I generally use my lunch break to exchange ideas with colleagues.

The afternoon is initially set aside for meetings: I discuss evaluations and analysis data with the laboratory team. Afterwards, I update my manager on the progress of the projects, and we discuss budgets, personnel matters and the next steps. I then return to my desk: planning budgets, placing orders, delegating tasks and so on.

Later on, we discuss the latest results again with colleagues from other departments and managers, and I deal with other outstanding tasks. Once I get home, I devote myself to ideas or other topics relating to chemistry. I am on call for the pilot plant on a weekly basis.

When thinking of a "classic Career" in an industrial company, in addition to the possibility of becoming Head of Research, there may also be the opportunity to take responsibility for further analytical or research laboratories. Likewise, a later move out of R&D is conceivable, for example to manage or establish your own business unit or even a division.

There is also the possibility of pursuing a specialist career. This is not possible everywhere and, in my opinion, is regarded as a "sidetrack". However, this also depends heavily on the particular division, among other things. Finally, personal development always offers an opportunity to progress – whether in industry or at a university.