MAPEX Workshops

Higher Education Didactics Workshop

"Effective Teaching in Higher Education"

In collaboration with Dr. Camilla Tossi (ZARM), the participants in the MAPEX workshop on higher education didactics on October 22, 2024 dealt with teaching and learning at university level. The aim of the workshop was to improve teaching skills in the course and in the lab and to develop a teaching portfolio. Participants explored their own pedagogical signature and learned about different methods, topics and teachers. They were introduced to the history and science of learning and discussed learning processes of students from different cultures and backgrounds. They also looked at how to structure curricula, workload and grading systems to maximize deep learning. The workshop was aimed at PhD students, postdocs and anyone who wants to write a teaching report or train someone.

Detailed programme

18th MAPEX Early Career Researcher Workshop

"Science meets Industry"

Entitled "Science meets Industry", the MAPEX workshop on October 1, 2024 highlighted a broad spectrum of pathways after a successful academic track. Early Career Researchers from MAPEX found out about career options after their doctorate. Three alumni of the University of Bremen and two professors from Bremen shared their personal experiences.

In the first part of the workshop, three alumni of the University of Bremen presented their path from academia to the private sector. Dr. Eike Volkmann emphasised the importance of managing interdisciplinary teams. The Head of Materials, Processes and Cleanliness at OHB System AG pointed out that he started to learn about the relevance of teamwork as a doctoral student at the University of Bremen. Andre Abrath from BREWA wte GmbH demonstrated his extensive experience in the management of industrial projects. He gave insights into the day-to-day responsibility for the maintenance and operation of an industrial energy supply plant. Finally, Dr. Daniel Otero Baguer described his transition from a successful academic to a founder and CEO of a company. His start-up aisencia GmbH focuses on the vision to become the global leader in AI-powered dermatopathology.

    "In the end, everything makes sense and is fun"

In the second part of the workshop, two MAPEX Principal Investigators presented their paths to a professorship. Prof. Dr. Sven Kerzenmacher from the University of Bremen and Prof. Dr. Dorothea Brüggemann from Bremen University of Applied Sciences outlined the opportunities and difficulties that may arise along the way. As passionate researchers, they are happy to work in detail on research topics that interest them. At the end, both took part in an exciting and lively discussion with the participants. The Early Career Researchers took the opportunity to learn more about the career option of a professorship.

Detailed programme

MAPEX-CF Workshop 2024

"Electron Microscopy"

The workshop took place from september 25 to september 27, 2024, on campus. The workshop brought together scientists from different institutions who use electron microscopy. Together, they expanded their network and discussed the latest scientific advances. For early career researchers, the workshop offered the opportunity to present themselves and their work, e.g. in the poster session. Key topics included: Transmission electron microscopy and methods based on it for the analysis of nanostructures, low energy electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods.

Detailed programme

17th MAPEX Early Career Researcher Workshop

"Building bridges across faculties and institutes"

On May 24, MAPEX organized the annual Early Career Researcher Workshop with a focus on 'Building bridges across faculties and institutes'. The MAPEX ECR Workshops give participants the opportunity to interact with colleagues from different areas of the STEM subjects.

The 17th ECR workshop gave the participating Early Career Reasearchers the opportunity to meet two experts in their respective fields. Dr. Cem Örnek from Leibniz-IWT, Institute for Materials-Oriented Technologies, started with an inspiring talk. He focussed on new approaches and techniques to overcome the degradation challenges of high performance steels in an industrial environment. Dr. Camilla Tossi from ZARM, Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity, continued. She introduced the participants to the possibilities and opportunities of synthesizing nanomaterials under the specific conditions of microgravity. Additionally, she underlined how important it is to think and act outside the box in order to conduct successful innovative research. Finally the participants got to know each other during a scientific speed dating session. The speed dating offered the opportunity to learn from each other's research and to exchange beyond scientific disciplines and positions.

Detailed programme

Science Communication Workshop

"Science Slam"

On April 8 and 9, 2024, some MAPEX doctoral students at the University of Bremen transformed themselves into science slammers. Lesson learned: Science with humor can work. Scientific results can be explained to a wide audience in an entertaining and correct way using props, visualizations and performative elements.

The participants of the science slam workshop were able to try out how to present their research projects to a non-specialist audience on the spot: Doctoral students from the STEM fields took part in the workshop together with doctoral students from the humanities. The workshop was jointly organized by the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes and the Research Training Group Worlds of Contradiction. The molecular biologist Julia Offe and the actor ... worked with the participants on a wide variety of topics. (add topics here)

On May 7, 2024, some of the new slammers from the University of Bremen performed live on stage at the Science Slam in the Bremer Schlachthof.

Detailed programme

16th ECR Workshop

"Science meets Industry"

The MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes hosted the "Science meets Industry" workshop on December 7, 2023. The workshop took place in the LION building on the campus of the University of Bremen and was open to MAPEX doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

    Do I want to work in industry after my doctorate?

The workshop offered the opportunity to get in touch with alumni of the University of Bremen who transferred from research to industry after their doctorate. In presentations and moderated discussions, participants were able to get to know the individual career paths of the invited guests. Between the sessions, there was an opportunity to exchange ideas with the guests and other early career researchers.

Dr. Deepanjalee Dutta made the start. The biomaterials scientist presented her research and gave visitors an insight into her career. At the University of Bremen, she recently conducted research into an antibacterial alloy for potential bone implants and ceramic-based wound dressings. She will be moving into industry in the new year.

Dr. Diana Ebersberger then presented the services offered by the Bremen Early Career Reearcher Development (BYRD) at the University of Bremen. The invited alumni Dr.-Ing Heike Sonnenberg from ArianeGroup GmbH and Dr. Felipe Macul Perez from Bayer AG complimented the BYRD's offer and agreed that it had given them excellent impulses on their way from academia to industry.

    "If you want it, then try it"

This was followed by a discussion with Sonnenberg and Perez. Dr. Hanna Lührs, Science Manager at MAPEX, moderated the discussion and asked the two MAPEX alumni questions about their experiences. "If you want it, then try it," Sonnenberg summarized her answer to the question of whether it makes sense for researchers to enter the private sector.

After a presentation of the MAPEX qualification program, Dr. Enis Bicer, program coordinator at MAPEX, moderated another discussion with Dr. Laura Luhede and Dr. Marzellus große Holthaus. After completing her PhD with a focus on materials science, Luhede started as a product and marketing manager at Hitachi Zosen INOVA, whose core business is the recovery of valuable resources from waste. Since completing his doctorate, Holthaus has been working for the Bremen-based family business BEGO Implant Systems, where he has been Technical Managing Director for four years. Both presented their careers and answered questions from the workshop participants.

Finally, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Fechte-Heinen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Leibniz Institute for Materials-Oriented Technologies (IWT) in Bremen, presented his professional path. It led him from research to working at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG and back into research at the IWT.

Detailed programme

15th ECR Workshop

"Building bridges across faculties and institutes"

MAPEX and the MAPEX Doctoral Qualification Programme organised the 15^th ECR Workshop on June 8 2023, under the motto 'Building bridges across faculties and institutes'. The focus was to provide Early Career Researchers an opportunity to come into contact with ECR peers from across the STEM fields.

Three interesting ECI talks by Dr. Paul Benjamin Klar, Dr.-Ing. Ingmar Bösing and Dr.-Ing. Anastasiya Tönjes showed the importance and variety of different approaches to materials research. This has only been exceeded and surpassed by two inspiring MAPEX PI talks by Prof. Dr. Gordon Callsen and Prof. Dr. Andreas Rademacher, demonstrating deep insights into their scientific work and their career trajectory to a proffessorship at the University of Bremen.

ECRs submitted their academic projects by presenting scientific posters and discussing their work with collegues ECR peer from different disciplines at the workshop.

Detailed programme

14th ECR Workshop

"Science meets Industry"

MAPEX and the MAPEX Doctoral Qualification Program organized the 14th ^ECR Workshop, which was held in February 2023 under the motto 'Science meets Industry'. The focus of the workshop was to provide Early Career Researchers an opportunity to come into contact with graduates who are now successful in their careers in industry and business. A particular highlight of the workshop was the focus on the aspect of spin-offs from the academic research.

In two interesting and impressive career talks two experienced scientists gave a very personal view on their professional development. Dr. Mar Fernández-Méndez introduced her innovative project and idea of ​​​​aquafarming the open ocean with the aim to reduce pressures on coastal natural ecosystems and their biodiversity and also contributing to reduce Carbon Dioxide at scale. As co-founder of "Seafields", she shared her personal challenges and necessities of being an academic researcher and a company founder at the same time.

Prof. Dr. Jan-Henning Dirks from Hochschule Bremen - City University of Applied Sciences gave an insightful talk about his personal career trajectory, highlighting his professional and personal experience in the private sector as well as in academic research. He explained why it was exactly the right decision for him to return to academia after a short time in industry, which eventually led to a professorship. He presented his scientific interesting work on the biomechanical properties of the cuticle exoskeleton.

Two panel sessions gave an opportunity for direct discussion and exchange with the invited panellists. In the panel discussion “moving from academia to industry”, Dr. Valentin Baric (ArcelorMittal Bremen) and Dr.-Ing. Mirko Christ (OHB System AG) gave insights into their individual career paths. They have successfully started a career in industry after being a scientist in the MAPEX community. The focus of the discussion was on important skills and competences necessary in their current professional work as well as on the differences in the daily work routine between the academic and the private sector.

“Starting a company from academia” was the second panel in which Dr. Marin Holi (TOPAS Industrial Mathematics) and Dr. Andreas Grund (GCP-Service International Ltd. & Co. KG) shared their unique perspectives and expertise on starting a business from academia. What does it take to turn ideas into a successful business model? How to deal with possible setbacks along the way? These were only some of the questions the participants discussed with our guests. In this context, Jeroen Langejan introduced BRIDGE's broad range of services as a central contact point for start-up support for members of Bremen's universities.

Finally, the workshop featured two presentations on scientific and applied work by Early Career Investigators at MAPEX. Dr. Tim Radel from BIAS gave an overview of different laser procedures for surface modification, including laser polishing and laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). Dr. Manuel Alonso-Orts from the Institute of Solid State Physics presented his scientific work on Gallium Oxide. His goal is to overcome technical challenges related to the UWBG system by developing and applying novel fabrication methods and designs for visible and near-UV optical cavities based on epitaxial Ga ₂ O ₃ .

Detailed programme