Navigating Academia and Applied Research
In an exciting development for 2024, our colleague Dr. Birte Seffert embarks on a nationwide tour to meet with the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellows across Germany. The Keeping Up with the Boost Fellows series aims to shine a spotlight on the journeys, challenges, and achievements of our Fellows.
The next stop after Jena was to meet Dr. Susanne Wintzheimer, Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellow and Material Chemist, who holds a Postdoc position both at University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and at Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg. Working in two very distinct research institutions has its perks and comes with a few must-knows, Dr. Birte Seffert learned from Susanne.
Susanne´s Boost-funded research project
What do truffles and innovative materials research have in common? For Susanne the answer lies in combining ingredients with precision to create optimized results. Working across two distinct research environments—a university and an application-focused Fraunhofer Institute —Susanne is applying this concept to develop millimeter-sized composite materials for catalysis. Just like a praline maker perfecting the balance of flavors, Susanne combines materials to create composites with enhanced performance and practical handling.
Her project reflects both creativity and rigor, mixing foundational understanding and application—a dual focus which shows her unique roles at a university and a Fraunhofer institute.
Reflecting on her Boost Fund project, Susanne was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly her research progressed:
“We were able to implement the project plan almost exactly as written, and the initial experiments worked well—something I hadn’t expected based on experience with other projects.”
But she also highlighted the challenges of short project timelines in academia:
“Two years is extremely brief. By the time experiments are done, reproductions and analyses are completed, the time is often already over – and you still need to publish and present at conferences.”
Susanne’s advice for researchers looking to navigate the academic landscape in Germany
1. Define your career goals early: Whether aiming for a professorship or a role in industry, your path will differ. For academic careers in Chemistry, the habilitation stays critical, while Fraunhofer positions can be a great stepping stone for transitioning into industry. Susanne emphasizes the importance of understanding and focusing on the distinct goals of each institution.
2. Understand the trade-offs: Universities allow you to deeply explore fundamental questions, while Fraunhofer focuses on teamwork and application-driven solutions. Susanne recommends to reflect on what excites you most—unlocking the mysteries of a process or holding a tangible product in your hands that you helped create.
3. Master time management: Balancing two research environments demands clear prioritization and organization – you cannot work a 100% at each institution if you want to maintain your mental and physical health
4. Build your network and seek peer support: Susanne regularly meets with another Boost Fellow for peer coaching, highlighting how networking and mutual advice help navigate challenges and opportunities in academia.
Beyond her specific research, Susanne notes the growing role of AI in science. While tools like language corrections and support to design graphs and images improve daily workflows, AI’s potential in materials chemistry remains an evolving frontier, limited by the complexity and lack of structure in many materials she works with.
The KT Boost Fund is a joint program of GSO and the Klaus Tschira Foundation for postdoctoral researchers in the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science. It offers flexible funding for risky and interdisciplinary research on the way to academic independence. Funding can be used to hire staff, buy equipment, or build collaborations – tailored to the research project.
